The Gibraltar Magazine - December 2010

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

g

ibraltar magazine the

December 2010 Vol. 16 No. 02 FREE

Good Notes from the Art Teacher Centre Stage in the Courtroom

Dreaming of a Bright Christmas Giving the Enemy L-L-L!

U-Turn’s Rock with a Message Phishing since 1908...

The Pearl

of

Main Street

Pearl Jewellery Specially Designed & Strung for the One You Love

92 Main Street Gibraltar 路 Tel: 200 77240 路 Email: pearls@sakata.gi

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

&

I N V E S T M E N T

M A N A G E R S

Discretionary Portfolio Management Advisory & Execution-Only Dealing Equities, Fixed Interest & Commodities CFDs (Contracts for Differences)

Traded Options

Online Dealing

Gibraltar’s Member Firm of the London Stock Exchange

One Irish Place, Gibraltar Telephone: (+350) 20075181 www.gam.gi Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Gibraltar Asset Management is the trading name of Gibraltar Asset Management Limited, a company registered in Gibraltar with registration number 18064 and registered office at 28 Irish Town, Gibraltar.

17/09/2010

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007

Risk How much risk are you willing to accept when investing? Would you like a professional eye on your situation so that you are in a better position to invest in harmony with your attitude to risk? jyskebank.gi/products

JYSKE BANK (GIBRALTAR) LTD. • Private Banking 76, Main Street • P.O. Box 143 • Gibraltar Tel. +350 606 33322 • Fax +350 200 76782 info@jyskebank.gi • www.jyskebank.gi

Jyske Bank (Gibraltar) Ltd. is licensed by the Financial Services Commission, Licence No. FSC 001 00B. Services and products are not available to everybody, for instance not to residents of the US.

100910_210x297_A121ann2EN_The_Gibraltar_Magazine.indd 1

25-08-2010 15:57:01

what’s inside? arts & lifestyle

features 18 26 32 60

28 30 36 44 46 48 50 52 54 70 78 82

Mermaid Lydia and Women’s Rights ₏ Rock Monkey Business for Mencken Civil Servant’s Passion for History Joe Ochello: Retiring with a Smile

business & ďŹ nance 8 9 13 14 16 20 24

Business & Finance Guide Mrs Rock’s Financial Conundrum Silly OfďŹ ce Olympics Elliott Phillips: Centre Stage in the Courtroom â‚Ź Barclays supports Movember The Next Step: The Right QualiďŹ cations HR Clinic: Your Questions Answered

Our Governors: Giving the Enemy L-L-L! â‚Ź Phishing in 1908

property ďŹ les 38 40 41 42

38-43

Charles & Horatio’s History Property Directory The Wild Ones A Bright Christmas

food & drink

84-93

84 The Perfect Cup 86 Festive Indulgences 89-92 Restaurant & Bar Guide 93 Wine: Christmas Ghosts

health & medical 64 66 68

64-69

Testicular Disease Health & Fitness Guide A Touch of Love

regulars 72 94

Puzzle Page Around Town

information

74-75 98

City Centre Map Gibraltar Information

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

history & heritage 58 80

Harmonics from our Talented Tenor ₏ Good Notes from the Art Teacher Photos: Unwanted Mind Blowing India: Prem Goes Solo Doing a U-Turn: Rock with a Message Exploring the Female Form Christmas Charity Singles What’s On December Kirsty Almeida’s Pure Blue Green ₏ Creativity in Every Stroke The Business of Christmas DJ Rookie: Mixing it up

gibraltar the

magazine December 2010 Vol. 16 No. 02 FREE

Good Notes from the Art Teacher Centre Stage in the Courtroom

Dreaming of a Bright Christmas Giving the Enemy L-L-L!

U-Turn’s Rock with a Message Phishing since 1908...

Watergardens photographed

by Kevin Fitzmaurice-Brown

Vol. 16 No. 02 December 2010

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by

Guide Line Promotions Limited

Mailing: PO Box 561, PMB 6377, OfďŹ ce: 17 Turnbull’s Lane, Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 200 77748 Email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi Publisher/editor: OfďŹ ce manager: Studio: Business Development:

Andrea Morton Jolene Gomez Kristin Mortensen Tina Andlaw

Copyright Š 2010 Guide Line Promotions Limited.

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

www.TheGibraltarMagazine.com

Magazine & website archived by the British Library

!

! "# $ % & % ' # ( # ) * ++ , -.. , / % ' $ # * $ 0 # (1 0 # # 1 / 1 * 2% ' + , / 1 # 1 + * $ 1 * 3/ % . # * # , . . # * * 2% ' 2 / * (1 ( 0 4 , 5 % 6 $ * %, 1 7 / ## 8 7

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

7

legal services financial services

legal services

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.

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

Hassans 57/63 Line Wall Road Tel: 200 79000 www.gibraltarlaw.com Tel: +350 200 76173 E-mail: gib@SovereignGroup.com

ISOLAS Portland House, Glacis Road Tel: 200 78363 www.gibraltarlawyers.com

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

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

Dealers for

accountants business services Durante Carboni Jardim Accountants & Auditors

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

E.S.V. Hassan & Co

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

COURIERS LTD

INTERNATIONAL

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

General Agents for

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

• Support Contracts • Network Installation & Troubleshooting • Web Design • PC Repairs, Upgrades & Construction • PC Maintenance

Chartered Certified Accountants

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

recruitment

To place your details on this page, please call 200 77748

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• DECEMBER DECEMBER 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR

business & finance

Mrs Rock’s financial conundrum

by Ian Le Breton

No matter how hard she tries, poor Mrs. Rock just cannot grasp the economic realities of the modern world. She and her husband (now retired) manage on their modest means but she has no clue about the markets, the recession or indeed much else that appears in the finance section of newspapers and magazines.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

Her son is very well versed in these things — at least he always pretends to be. What mother doesn’t know is that he secretly reads the monthly finance columns by that chap from Sovereign in the Gibraltar Magazine. Name like Ian La Button or somesuch. Since she started reading these regularly, he comes up with no end of rubbish. But his mother is a very proud Gibraltarian lady and she doesn’t like to show her ignorance, particularly to her little boy — despite the fact he is now 40, married with a child and drives something called a four bye-bye four — whatever that may be.

So it was with some trepidation that she met him one afternoon for coffee at Sacarello’s in Irish Town just before Christmas. She knew it was daft with her own son, but she couldn’t help but feel a little in awe of the way he spoke so authoritatively about stuff she really didn’t understand. She had a few questions for him this time, so over the second cream doughnut…

First of all, Mrs. Rock wanted to know about The Recession. What was it and what was the difference between that and the economic downturn, or global economic crisis? As junior explained, all these terms really describe the same thing — a global economic hangover after all the excesses of the heady days leading up to 2008.

Fair enough, thought Mrs Rock. But why is the whole world involved?

Surely this was all the fault of the Americans — and maybe a few European bankers who thought they were Americans in the good days? Her son explained that it was all about contagion. “What?

Like flu?” Precisely, he said.

The international banking system is so inter-dependent these days that problems that did indeed begin in the United States soon spread right across the world.

The son moved on to the European Union — or EU. Mrs. Rock started to glaze over. She wanted to know what had happened to the Common Market or even the EEC, but the coffee was going cold so she let her first born do the talking.

Well, he explained, there are 27 countries now in the EU and of course Gibraltar is also a member of the group, or bloc as the pundits like to call it. Back to the banking problems he had just been talking about. In the last couple of years, anyone trying to get bank finance or credit would have been aware just how difficult that has been. And this did not just affect companies because, if many firms were “down sizing” or even closing, this meant that more people were joining the unemployment queues.

Less tax revenue and more benefits put even more pressure on countries’ budgets. Add to that the billions that governments around the world had pumped into their respective banks to save the whole system from collapse and you could begin to understand why some of these EU states were in a real economic mess.

“But what about Maastricht?” asked Mrs Rock. Her son choked on his doughnut. “What?” he exclaimed. “Well wasn’t Maastricht meant to restrict all these European countries budgets to

business & finance 3% of annual GDP? I think you’ll find Ireland is almost ten times that this year and look at Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece too”…

“Why yes Mother. You are quite right.” He was astonished. Where had that come from? He couldn’t be sure of course but he thought he had spotted a cutting from the Gibraltar Magazine in her handbag a little earlier. He’d teach her, he thought.

“So you see Mother, this is why all these capital intensive infrastructure projects have been cancelled or delayed. It’s why, for example, the second runway at Málaga airport has been delayed — and for the same reason why when driving up to Marbella from Gibraltar we still have that diversion around San Pedro de Alcántara. There is simply no money in the public purse. That’s why personal taxes are rising all over the developed world, including sales tax or IVA. Up all over Europe including the UK and Spain.”

But Mrs Rock, after the Maastricht question, felt she was on a roll. Sometimes it was good to show who was still boss. “So”, she said, “none of these countries in the EU have any money, right?” “Right”, he said. “So all these kamasutra projects are being cancelled or badly delayed, right?” “Not kamasutra Mother, infrastructure, but yes, you are right again.” “And everyone is paying more tax these days to help refill the government’s coffers?” “Yes,” he said.

“So,” she went on, “how come the Dudley Ward Tunnel has been reopened and we are having a brand new airport terminal here in Gibraltar by summer next year? And income tax went down a bit this year too.”

He had to hand it to his mother. As he remembered only too well from his teenage years, while her grasp of the terminology might have been flawed, she did have a knack for asking difficult questions. She should stand for the Gibraltar Parliament at the forthcoming election!

He explained that while no one was immune from these global forces, perhaps in Gibraltar

the effects were less noticeable. Of course some local firms were in real difficulty and sadly too many people had lost their jobs but, on balance, Gibraltar seemed to be weathering the economic maelstrom swirling around the rest of the European Union quite well. There was, he reminded his mother, no room for complacency, even here in Gibraltar, but the local economy had fared pretty well. “That is why we can afford to fund our own infrastructure projects, even if some of them are politically controversial — but we leave that to the politicians.”

Lastly, Mrs Rock wanted to know about two things that mattered to her personally more than anything else. Interest rates and the exchange rate. She understood (well she said that she did) that these two areas were closely linked. The higher the interest rate, generally the stronger the currency. But with interest rates so low all over the developed world, what was driving the currency these days?

Her son explained that it was all down to the performance of the respective country or in the case of the euro, the group of states that all use the currency. “So why, just before Christmas am I getting fewer euros for my pound?” she complained. “Surely if the EU is in such a mess, I should be getting more?” He thought he had better not remind her that the plural of euro is euro, not euros. His mother didn’t didn’t really care what more than one of them was called; all she knew was that she seemed to be getting less

of them. She was sure things had improved during the summer but now that winter had arrived the rate seemed to have weakened again. Was it all the fault of the Russians, as her husband used to say about the weather during the Cold War? “No, mother, not the Russians. Maybe the Americans though. You see, as the mighty dollar becomes slightly less mighty, international investors are looking at alternative, stronger currencies. That also impacts the pound. And there you have it. Even though Europe is in such a mess, the euro remains strong”.

Yes it really was all too confusing for words.

They had finished their coffee now and really she hadn’t found her son to be much use in his explanations. As his teacher once remarked, at times he was neither use nor ornament. She left, went back into Main Street and carried on with her Christmas shopping, still not really sure what it was all about ...

And there we must leave Mrs Rock. For her sake, and indeed ours, let us all hope the New Year brings better economic news in general.

We could surely do with some. Maybe things will reach a stage where old-fashioned economics are once again helpful to explain the times through which we are living. But don’t hold your breath.

In the meantime though, on behalf of all my colleagues at Sovereign Trust, I wish you all a very peaceful Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year 2011. n

“So why, just before Christmas am I getting fewer euros for my pound?

Surely if the EU is in such a mess, I should be getting more?”

Hassans’ lawyers admitted to BVI Bar

Richard Buttigieg

10

Two of Hassans practitioners, Ian Felice and Richard Buttigieg, have been admitted to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands. At a ceremony held at the BVI Supreme Court at the end of October 2010 before Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles, Felice and Buttigieg were formally admitted to practise as Barristers of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the Territory of the Virgin Islands. This means both Felice and Buttigieg can advise on all matters relating to BVI law and appear in court in this Caribbean territory.

In explaining the background to the decision to seek admission to the BVI Bar, Felice, a Partner in Hassans’ Corporate and Commercial Team, said “For some time now, a number of our clients had intimated to us their desire for Hassans to be able to advise and assist them on BVI matters with the same level of expertise and dedication as we do on their Gibraltar matters. Given the many synergies between BVI and Gibraltar structures and the wide-spread use of BVI trusts and companies in international commercial transactions, it was felt that being able to deliver a BVI service would complement the work currently done by the Corporate and Commercial Team, allowing it the flexibility to assist our clients not just with the Gibraltar angle of the transactions but also now with their BVI structures.”

The admission of Felice and Buttigieg to the BVI Bar increases the number of lawyers at Hassans able to advise on BVI law to four. Tony Provasoli and Fabian Picardo were previously admitted to the BVI Bar in 2003.

Managing Partner Javier Chincotta said “Ian and Richard have wide experience in international commercial transactions featuring Gibraltar and BVI entities and their admission to the BVI Bar allows the firm to enhance its client services on these transactions.” n

Ian Felice

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

isolas-stones-gibmag

17/3/10

15:25

Page 1

www.gibraltarlawyers.com

Trusted since 1892

We offer the stability and security of advice that only the longest established law firm in Gibraltar can do. So whatever you’re planning, wherever you’re headed, we’re right behind you.

For all your legal requirements, contact:

info@isolas.gi

Portland House, Glacis Road, PO Box 204, Gibraltar Tel: +350 200 78363 Fax: +350 200 78990 www.gibraltarlawyers.com

business update

New Air Terminal Attracts New Hotel to Gibraltar The UK based Lester Hotel Group is pleased to announce plans to develop a new hotel in Gibraltar. The new building in Devil’s Tower Road will comprise approximately 160 bedrooms and suites along with 3,000m2 of modern office space and other hotel amenities.

Chairman of Lester Hotels, Simon Lester said “Following Government’s major investment in a new air terminal and the associated tunnel and road infrastructure, our company identified the business opportunity to build a new hotel in the proximity of the airport. Our company will bring the next generation of hotels to Gibraltar offering modern, spacious facilities at exceptional value. The new hotel will complement the new air terminal and provide much needed accommodation and facilities for the tourist, business and local community.”

The Lester Hotel will be situated next to the Government’s recently opened Park and Ride car parking facility.

Each of the bedrooms will be designed to a four-star standard and the top floor will be designated as a Club Floor, where each bedroom has an adjoining lounge that converts to a boardroom for executive meetings. There will

be a gymnasium exclusively for guests and The Hub on the ground floor will incorporate a coffee shop, bistro and bar. The first three floors will be dedicated to office space with approximately 1,000m2 on each floor. The hotel will be designed as environmentally friendly as possible and every effort will be made to minimise the carbon footprint of the new building. Work is expected to commence in early summer of 201 I, once the relevant planning permits have been issued and relocations have been completed.

“The Lester Hotel will be the next generation of modern premium budget hotels,” said Simon Lester, “with four-star standard air conditioned bedrooms and limited hotel services, so you only pay for what you need!” Lester Hotels is a proven hotel operator in the UK currently operating hotels of all types across the mid-market sector. ■

Hassans Ranked Tier No 1 Hassans international law firm has once again been ranked in Tier No 1 in the independent directory, IFLR1000, 2011.

Its stand-alone position further strengthens the firms’ reputation, expertise and quality of service to clients.

Law firm recommendations in the directory are made on the basis of face-to-face and telephone interviews with leading in-house counsel and private-practice lawyers. The highest- ranked firms are those perceived by clients and competitors to be strongest in terms of their capacity for innovation; their ability to advise on complex, cross-border deals; and the quality of their client service — not simply those with the most or biggest deals.

The guide ranks only corporate and financial law firms at the top of their profession in over 120 jurisdictions, and identifies the individual lawyers with the best track records for advising in each practice area.

Artist’s impression, subject to Government and Planning approval

At a ceremony at the Convent, the Governor presented three Chief Police Officer’s Commendations and five Long Service and Good Conduct medals to officers of the Gibraltar Defence Police.

The Governor also confirmed the promotion of Inspector Mark Wood.

Back: PC Mario Nunez, Sgt William Mellin, PC John Dalli, Sgt Michael Gonzalez, PC Dylan Borastero, PC John Treacey. Front: Inspector Mark Wood, Superintendent Rob Allen, HE the Governor, Commodore Tom Karsen, PC David Chipolina

12

Hassans notable practitioners mentioned in this particular year are Nigel Feetham, Lewis Baglietto, Fabian Picardo and John Restano.

Hassans’ peers comment that the firm has “led the jurisdiction in many cases, a fine outfit” with another commenting “We see the firm working with some of the biggest players in the market, across the globe, they are definitely our biggest rivals.”

Clients of Hassans comment “They provide us with excellent work on transactions, whenever we use them. They are always great to have on side and [are] commercially aware,” says one.

Managing Partner, Javier Chincotta says “This endorsement from our clients via the guide gives us a sense of pride and achievement in a time when the global economy is not at its best. We are thrilled to once again receive the ranking of No.1 in Gibraltar, this not only gives a boost to firm morale, but is also an opportunity to thank our most valued clients who provided feedback and client testimonials for us on an anonymous basis. ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

festive fun

The Silly Office Olympics To help your company get into the festive spirit, why not enter a team into the “Silly Office Olympics” which will take place on Wednesday 8th December at the Tercentenary Sports Hall?

Organised by 17-year old FLIP student Anna Garcia, the event hopes to raise over £2,000 for the Gibraltar Community Association, which assists sponsored patients with unexpected costs they may incur whilst travelling to the UK for medical treatment.

This will be an Office Olympics with a difference, as all the tasks will be extremely ridiculous, but a whole lot of fun. Antics will include “Synchronised Chair Swivelling”, “Hurdles” (using low-rise briefcases), “Pencil Sharpening” and “Pin the Nose on the Boss”, amongst others.

Anna Garcia, the event organiser, remarked, ”This is an event with a difference and I hope the local business community will show their support. There will be a prize for the winning office team, and in the lead-up to Christmas we should all think about those less fortunate than ourselves and try and help a good cause.”

All funds raised at the Office Olympics will be matched by The Bonita Trust, so please give generously. Donations, made payable to

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

“FLIP” are also welcome and can be sent to 21 Engineer Lane.

The Silly Office Olympics will take place in the morning of 8th December from 9am until 1pm. Teams should consist of a maximum of five members, and the entry fee is £250 per team. To ensure your office is represented in this unique event, please contact info@flip. gi or call 200 60175. n FLIP is a joint venture project between the Bonita Trust and Credit Suisse.

Come on admit it... we all have a bit of a swivel when we think no-one’s watching... but it’s time to prove our prowess in the office chair in the Silly Office Olympics on 5th December

13

Photo: J.J. Wood

finance

Isolas’ Partner Elliott Phillips

elliott phillips

centre-stage in the court room A lawyer, a politician, a family man and a father — is there anything Elliott Phillips doesn’t do? Caught between the chaotic lifestyle of court litigations and dirty nappies, Elliott has still managed to keep a running tally of successful court cases in Gibraltar. With only eight years’ experience under his legal belt at Isolas, Elliott was appointed as the seventh partner of the law firm in July this year.

Having first joined the highly respected firm on a summer placement as a law student, Phillips made a lasting impression that has allowed him to quickly grow within Isolas.

Phillip gives credit to the exceptional lawyers he’s worked with for teaching him his trade.

He was recently junior to Lord Goldsmith, a renowned lawyer in London and Former British Attorney General, where he gained valuable experience in top-flight litigation. The

14

“

My aunt gave me a book that had a picture of Barristers going to court and I thought, ‘that’s what I want to do someday’

”

late Hon. Peter Isola OBE, Christian Rocca and Daniel Feetham are other partners Elliott has worked with who have excelled in their profession and have been mentors to him. Elliott explains that his motivation comes from the desire to build upon the strong ethos practised at Isolas.

Originally from Bristol, he moved to Gibraltar when he was nine years of age, Elliott knew from a young age that he wanted to

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

m

business profile

by Kristin Mortensen

“

There is an element of ‘performance’ in the presentation of case before a Court. It’s like I’m a mouthpiece for other people pursue a career in law. “My aunt, who works in the legal profession, gave me a book that had a picture of Barristers going to court and I thought, ‘that’s what I want to do someday’,” Elliott laughs. His aunt would tell him stories about court cases, and Elliott was drawn to the drama and suspense of each.

Elliott also had a keen interest in acting which enticed him to the dramatic part of law: litigation.

Elliott’s passion for acting plays a bigger role in this story than one would think. He initially wanted to pursue a career in acting and even got through to the final stages of auditions and interviews at the reputed Guilford School of Acting in England in an attempt to achieve a Bachelor of Arts in Acting. Yet, his dreams of becoming an actor fell short when he was held back at the school. At only 17-years-old, Elliott admits he was too young at the time and lacked the life experience many of the other older students had. But as they say, ‘when one door closes, another one opens,’ and this gave Elliott the opportunity to focus all of his energy on following his ambition to become a lawyer.

“There is an element of ‘performance’ in the presentation of case before a Court, in a way. I’m a mouthpiece for other people,” Elliott says. “So, in a way, my acting skills aren’t going to waste because I get to use them every time I walk into a courtroom and present the argument of a case.”

In 2001, Elliott graduated from law school at the University of Plymouth and went on to pass the bar exams at the Inns of Court School of Law in London. Upon graduation, he worked in London in the area of Planning and Development Law. After a year, Elliott decided he missed home and returned to his roots in Gibraltar, which is where he spent the majority of his childhood.

In his eight years at Isolas, Elliott

“

”

has frequently appeared before the Gibraltar Supreme Court and Court of Appeal dealing mainly with commercial litigation cases.

His experience includes a wide range of cases from Coroner’s Inquests to employment law issues.

One of Elliott’s most memorable cases involves an inquest into the death of the father of a Gibraltar family. Elliott worked pro bono on the case before the Court of Appeal where a verdict of unlawful killing by a jury in a Coroner’s Court as upheld.

“The most important thing I drew from the case was the fact the family had been through so much, but were still very strong in spite of the terrible circumstances,” Elliott says. “Their resilience, strength and patience has taught me a lot about the human spirit in many ways.”

Many lawyers find themselves being ushered into the political realm, and Elliott is no exception.

He is the General Secretary of the Progressive Democratic Party and a member of the executive committee of the PDP. Elliot’s time has been consumed with developing Party policy and preparing for upcoming election in which he is working closely with Keith Azopardi and the PDP team.

“Our team is passionate about serving Gibraltar and leading with a vision for our community, which is beyond the narrow four year term of office,” Elliott says. “Our outreach campaign to the community this year from Main Street to Moorish Castle was very successful at broadcasting our vision and telling people what we stand for — open and transparent Government, fair play and radical change in the way we are governed”.

When Elliott isn’t behind a podium in the courtroom or finetuning PDP policies, he spends time with his partner Louise and family Chloe, Katie and his 18 month-old son, Thomas. ■

The most important thing I drew from the case was the fact the family had been through so much, but were still very strong in spite of the terrible circumstances GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

”

15

movember project

Men sporting Movember moustaches, known as Mo Bros, become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health. Here in Gibraltar many

The money raised as a result of Movember is channelled into a number of world class and innovative education, support, research and awareness initiatives men have become involved, most notably the boys from Barclays Mo-Bro Chef Scott Casey of Fifty-Five hands over a cheque for £250.00 to Mo-Bro Franco Cassar, Director of Barclays Wealth bank, 16 of who have been busy Intermediaries. Fifty-Five’s contribution to Barclays ‘Movember’ efforts, took the total raised over the £4,000 mark, a figure which will be increased by the time the awareness campaign ends at the end of Movember, and a sum which will be matched by Barclays. growing moustaches throughout Movember.

Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo growing efforts. The rules are simple; register online at MoEach year, Movember, the month formerly known as November, is vember.com and start the month responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s of Movember clean shaven, then grow a moustache during Nofaces around the world, with the sole aim of raising vital funds and vember. awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.

The money raised as a result of

Mo-Bros Make Money for Movember

16

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

movember project

Movember is channelled into a number of world class and innovative education, support, research and awareness initiatives. Mo Movember UK collaborates with the men’s health partner — The Prostate Can Cancer Charity.

Full details of Movember funded outcomes feature in the Outcomes section of website uk.movemberfoundation.com and it is hoped that as the project grows, so too will the understanding and awareness around these remarkable programs.

Today, the Movember Foundation runs official campaigns in six countries — Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States and Canada. In addition first year campaigns were officially run in The Netherlands, Finland, South Africa, Spain and

the Czech Republic.

Movember has grown from a campaign that was supported by 30 Mo Bros in its first year (2003) to one that saw over 255,000 people, across the globe, get on board last year.

Movember has grown from a campaign that was supported by 30 Mo Bros in its first year (2003) to one that saw over 255,000 people, across the globe, get on board last year

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

Whilst much has been achieved in improving awareness around men’s health issues, the need to proactively continue addressing the topic remains. So, well done to all of Gibraltar’s Mo Bros who have not only raised a lot of money for the foundation, but have also raised awareness of a very important men’s health issue.

Lee Francis, Director of Business Management at Barclays Wealth Gibraltar said: “This is a great opportunity for our colleagues to have a laugh at us, but most importantly to raise money for a great cause.”

Anyone who wishes to support the cause can donate by visiting this website: http://uk.movember. com/mospace/578656/ The Movember Foundation is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation.

17

Mermaid Lydia & women’s rights

by Elena Scialtiel

“At 68, I am taking stock of my life,” says sprightly Lydia Darham, who is enjoying her retirement by catching up with old friends and spending time with her grandchildren in Switzerland. ...And what a life it has been!

A career girl herself, she never turned down any opportunity, because she believes opportunities come your way only once and you must grab them. She didn’t hide behind the ‘devil you know’, and viewed opportunities as ‘adventure’ rather than ‘danger’.

And if mistakes are made, well, they are part of the journey, but they definitely help you grow wiser and are much better than regrets.

Lydia’s a woman who at 24, newlywed and newly settled in London after over two decades of “cocooned” Gibraltarian life, took a leap of faith and packed her stuff up after dear hubby came home one Thursday night announcing they were moving to Bahamas for good — that very Sunday!

18

“I left with the feeling I would never see my family again: once upon a time ‘going to America’ was pretty much the equivalent of dying. I remembered an uncle who left at 16 and returned some 20 years later and we hardly heard from him. So I just told my mother I was going to the ‘other side of the world’... Luckily, another Gibraltar-

“

ian couple was posted there with us, so we felt less homesick.”

In the Caribbean, the adventure continued. Her husband worked at the local casino and she found a job in banking. If this doesn’t sound very adventurous, the couple were soon ‘fished in’ to appear under the sea.

Asked by an Italian photogra-

I left with the feeling I would never see my family again: once upon a time ‘going to America’ was pretty much the equivalent of dying. I remembered an uncle who left at 16 and returned some 20 years later and we hardly heard from him

”

pher to pose for the marine environment publication Mondo Sommerso, the couple took ‘full immersion’ scuba lessons and soon were diving into the Atlantic to discover its submersed natural treasures.

The mermaid life suited Lydia quite well: “So beautiful, so unexpected and so quiet down there.”

Her symbiosis with the sea continued for years to come, first contributing to preserve the NASA underwater habitat in the Bahamas — and witnessing the biodiversity that blessed it — and more recently with a 19-year spell managing Gibraltar’s Marina Bay. Lydia’s ten years in tropical paradise are laden with happy memories, from the arrival of her two children to an intense socio-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

profile professional life.

She got involved in real estate, managing the Latin-American division of a multi-national which used to sell luxury property to wealthy Spanish speakers, who were treated to a holiday on the island to view what was on offer ­ — and she played master of ceremonies at parties and sightseeing.

When the young family returned to Europe, they settled in Marbella, so near and yet so far from home, because of frontier closure.

“It was like a mini-Berlin Wall. I used to telephone my cousins in the UK to ask them to ring my parents and let them know we would be standing at the fence on such day at such time wearing such and such garments, so they could come and see us from the other side. It was a very sad period and although we managed to travel to Gibraltar through Tangiers, it was a tiring trip and not the kind of experience one wants to put their children through, because of message of divide they would get from it.”

After three years in Mallorca, they eventually returned home in 1981, and Lydia settled at Marina Bay, at the time populated mostly

by Britons.

So much in love with the sea, she was delighted at the challenge that a fair slice of her duties was ‘policing’ the bay waters and what happened on and below the surface, from rubbish dumping to pollution, down to the infamous fast launch era.

Watching the local youth frittering away their potential in low career aspirations made Lydia realise they’d need a better future.

She started to promote widespread education, especially for girls, and to raise awareness about the concept, still dawning at the time, that women can indeed have the best of both worlds when they choose to pursue a fulfilling career instead of the proverbial ‘cushy job’, for the sake of first-hand childcare.

She got involved in behindthe-scenes politics and, most importantly, in 1992 she co-founded with Dr Diane Sloma the Gibraltar Business Network, which did and still does campaign for education furtherance at the grassroots with school lectures, and builds bridges with other sister associations worldwide.

An active lobbyist not only for women’s rights, including their inclusion in the local jury service, but also with the European Movement, Lydia was on the housing and prison advisory committees, two aspects of society often interlinked, with poignant case studies.

Enough to write a novel probably, yet Lydia is toying with the project of an essay about women in the workplace, to analyse the real reasons behind their scarcity in top jobs: is it all the glass ceiling’s fault, or is it perhaps women don’t apply for top jobs, afraid of being rejected, and wary of social conventions? For Lydia’s answer... watch this space! n

Watching the local youth frittering away their potential in low career aspirations made Lydia realise they’d need a better future.

She started to promote widespread education, especially for girls

  

 



 

 



 

   

   



 





  

 

Lydia takes to the water

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010



19

career moves

Getting the Right Qualifications for the Next Step in your Career Building a career is not an easy process. It takes dedication and patience to gain the right experience and you may need to supplement your CV with some additional qualifications along the way. Gibraltar is no exception to this rule and with this in mind; it is well worth knowing about some of the courses and qualifications that can be attained here.

Accountancy Accounting professionals are consistently in demand in Gibraltar. There are several regularly sought after qualifications where local study facilities are available for Gibraltar residents and employees alike.

AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) is an ideal qualification for those wanting to pursue a career as an Accounts Assistant or Bookkeeper. It can also be seen as a starting out point should some of the higher level qualifications appear too daunting. All three levels are offered at Gibraltar College, with courses usually starting in September. The price depends on how many students sign up, but it should work out to be quite reasonable.

20

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) are more indepth accounting qualifications along the path to becoming a fully qualified accountant.

ACCA and CIMA are more in-depth accounting qualifications along the path to becoming a fully qualified accountant

Achieved through private and online study both qualifications can be obtained within a 4 year period. There are 16 ACCA papers to complete and 4 levels to pass for a CIMA qualification.

All exams can be sat in Gibraltar, with details of dates and study materials available on their respective websites.

Finance With Gibraltar being an “offshore” jurisdiction there is a frequent requirement for ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) qualified professionals with a number of excellent offshore administration qualifications options available to local candidates.

COFA (Certificate in Offshore Administration)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

career moves and DOFA (Diploma in Offshore Administration) are both offered through ICSA distance learning in conjunction with Campbell´s College in Gibraltar. These are ideal qualifications for those seeking to pursue a career in offshore company administration. You can attend the lectures at Campbell´s College and sit the exams through ICSA. Just be sure to register with both ICSA (www.icsa.org.uk) and Campbell´s College to ensure you receive full credit for your course.

For those looking to develop a career specifically in Trust administration, the STEP qualifications are a good option. A branch of STEP was established in Gibraltar some 10 years ago and there are several courses available; from certificates, to diplomas as well as further professional development for current STEP qualified members. To find out specific information on study plans and contact information for the Branch Officers of the Gibraltar branch, visit the STEP website at www.step.org.

Human Resources There are many well established HR professionals in Gibraltar, however more and more companies are insisting on not only several years’ relevant experience, but also appropriate qualifications as well. For those who would like to add CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) to their resume you can do so at your own pace through the Bleak House Training Institute, with options for full and part time study available. The CIPD has several separate modules for completion and Bleak House gives you the flexibility to register for

and complete each module at your convenience. If you don’t want to wait, you can visit their www.cipd.co.uk website (www.open.ac.uk) now and see what they have on offer.

University For some the next step in their career may be While Gibraltar can sometimes feel slightly a university degree and even though there are removed from the mainstream, there are some no accredited universities situated in Gibraltar, excellent options for professional development obtaining a Bachelors or even a Masters is still through locally based accredited professional a viable option. Many in Gibraltar have satis- institutions. The opportunity to acquire interfied their higher education aspirations through nationally recognised academic qualifications to distance learning, with The Open University supplement your CV and boost practical experiproving a popular choice. The Open University ence is a powerful combination to advance your offers many options for both undergraduates career. If you are looking for jobs in Gibraltar, and post graduates including an excellent Busi- understanding the most highly sought after ness School. Everything is done at your own qualifications and looking into the costs and pace. You simply register for the classes that time required to complete them is worthy of you want, when you want. serious consideration when it comes to planning The Open University has a very strong that all important path to success. n presence in Gibraltar. Every year they offer an informative seminar at the Elliot Hotel to Text by Oliver Medina, answer questions from prospective students.

Executive Manager (Financial Services and Banking), Select Recruitment (Gibraltar) — a specialist eGaming, IT, accounting & financial services recruitment consultancy providing permanent, temporary and interim recruitment solutions. Questions for next month’s article or info about Select Recruitment (Gibraltar) Tel: 216 21111 or email: info@srgrecruit.com. www.srgrecruit.com.

For some the next step in their career may be a university degree and even though there are no universities situated in Gibraltar, obtaining a Bachelors or even a Masters is still a viable option

6(/(&7 5(&58,70(17 *,%5$/7$5

,17(//,*(17 5(&58,70(17 62/87,216 )LQDQFH _ $FFRXQWDQF\ _ L*DPLQJ _ %DQNLQJ _ ,7 _ /HJDO _ ,QVXUDQFH 65* LV D OHDGLQJ )LQDQFLDO 6HUYLFHV DQG L*DPLQJ UHFUXLWPHQW FRQVXOWDQF\ EDVHG DW (XURSRUW LQ WKH KHDUW RI *LEUDOWDU¡V EXVLQHVV FRPPXQLW\ :H SURYLGH (XURSH ZLGH UHFUXLWPHQW VROXWLRQV DFURVV DOO OHYHOV LQFOXGLQJ VHQLRU DSSRLQWPHQWV YLD RXU VSHFLDOLVW ([HFXWLYH 6HDUFK DQG 6HOHFWLRQ VHUYLFH :H ZRUN ZLWK PDQ\ RI (XURSH¡V PRVW UHQRZQHG DQG UHVSHFWHG L*DPLQJ $FFRXQWLQJ /HJDO ,QVXUDQFH %DQNLQJ DQG RWKHU ÀQDQFLDO VHUYLFHV LQVWLWXWLRQV &DOO XV WRGD\ LI \RX DUH D MRE VHHNHU ORRNLQJ IRU D UHZDUGLQJ SHUPDQHQW WHPSRUDU\ RU FRQWUDFW SRVLWLRQ RU D FOLHQW UHTXLULQJ D KLJK TXDOLW\ UHFUXLWPHQW VROXWLRQ

&DOO

(PDLO

LQIR#VUJUHFUXLW FRP

$SSO\ RQOLQH

ZZZ VUJUHFUXLW FRP

Contact us: iCom House, 20 Engineer’s Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 200 73158 or 200 76216 Fax: 200 48697 Email: steven@icom.gi stef@icom.gi 6XLWH (XURSRUW *LEUDOWDU

21

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010 VUJ JLEPDJ [ PP TXDUWHUSDJH LQGG

community update

Candy Bouquets...

Beautiful bouquets so good you could eat them? Spectacular arrays which don’t wilt or wither?

A gift just made for sharing?

These are the things which Parissa and Yaana are offering through their new venture Candy Bouquet.

Yaana and Parissa spent an intensive week in the UK learning the skills necessary to create these gorgeous themed bouquets of ribbons, chocolates and sweets.

And with lots of practise under their belts they are ready to deliver in time for the festive season.

Contact Parissa 54022808 or Yaana 54025172 or vist their website www.cbgibraltar.com to order.

Well Done Kane!

GPA 2010 Public Consultation Survey

At a recent Computer Fun Day, organised by the Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau(GCAB), Kane Sivers was presented with a diploma for exemplary service to GCAB.

A key objective of the Gibraltar Police Authority is to consult the people of Gibraltar to identify and analyse the concerns and expectations of the whole community on policing matters. This consultation helps the Authority to draw up the Annual Policing Plan for the Royal Gibraltar Police. The Policing Plan sets the policing priorities and targets for the year.

Kane has been working at GCAB as part of the Vocational Training Scheme a joint Government of Gibraltar and European Social Fund vocational training initiative.

The GCAB’s board and staff commended Kane for his dedication and commitment to bureau work, adding that Kane is patient and thorough and an asset to the Gibraltar Citizen’s Advice Bureau. n GCAB offers free, confidential advice and information. GCAB can be contacted at 200 40006 email info@cab.gi or by visiting our website www.cab.gi.

22

The Authority has produced a questionnaire to be sent to all householders with utility bills. All members of the community are asked to complete the questionnaire and to return it by post (no stamp required) or deliver it to the Gibraltar Police Authority, No. 1, Casemates House, Casemates Square.

The questionnaire is online at www.gpa.gi Members of the Authority will be at the Piazza on Saturday 4th December 10am-1pm to distribute copies of the questionnaire and to answer questions from the public. They will also address students of Westside and Bayside Schools and the College of Further Education.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

Christmas offers from Gibtelecom

S

Y U B TAR 6 ,

61 1 a r i Nok numbe it new 25 cred £ and Y ONL

£59

64Gb iPad 3G on Gibtelecom from only £66 per month*

(includes data subscription) *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

human resources

“

If the role requires you to work at a weekend then I am afraid you will have to. This is not discrimination against your religious beliefs, it is purely a matter of cover

HR Clinic:

”

by Anna Moffatt

Employment & the Law Your Questions Answered...

“I would like to apply for voluntary redundancy but am not sure whether this would jeopardise my future if the company think I want to leave and don’t award me the redundancy. Should I stay quiet?”

When you are pregnant you are entitled to time off for your antenatal appointments. If you are actually sick during pregnancy then this does come out of your statutory sick pay, but ante appointments are different. n

If your company is offering voluntary redundancy then you are liberty to apply. If your application is declined it shows you how much the management wants to keep you. They have no right to hold this against you at all and your role should continue as it was if you are unsuccessful in getting the redundancy. n

“I have been offered a position at a firm in Gibraltar but I am Jewish and I can’t work weekends. The company have said that I may have to and because of this I may not be offered the job. Can they do this?”

“I am pregnant and have had to have time off for doctors appointments. Do these appointments have to come out of my own time or should I take them as sick?”

24

If the role requires you to work at a weekend then I am afraid you will have to. If your religion means you cannot work on the days required it will hinder you being offered the position.

This is not discrimination against your religious beliefs, it is purely a matter of cover. n

Qualified with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Anna Moffatt, was heavily involved in the setup of the HR Forum, a body established in Gibraltar to promote awareness of HR procedures and legislation and to allow information sharing. Anna has been appointed Associate Director of Corporate Resources Ltd, one of Gibraltar’s longest established recruitment agencies.

If you have employment questions you would like Anna to answer please email in confidence to anna@gibresources.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

community file

Motortrader.gi first online sale!

Only two weeks after its official launch, motortrader.gi saw its very first car sale finalised via the www.motortrader.gi website.

The car, a 2003 Volkswagen Polo, was purchased by Natalie Baitson from seller DC Motors of Corral Road. At an informal presentation, the keys to the car were presented to the proud new owner, together with a complimentary bottle of bubbly to be enjoyed after she drove the car home! www.motortrader.gi is Gibraltar’s only website dedicated to bringing together the buyers and sellers of new and used cars and bikes. www.motortrader.gi does not receive any sales commission on the transactions! n

AKIN & Regent School, Sierra Leone Association for Kids in Need (AKIN) has started the refurbishment of Regent Primary School, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Apart from many other hardships, children had to endure a leaking roof and flooded classrooms each year.

AKIN began fundraising in late 2009 and raised enough funds to refurbish the school roof, awarding the contract a

well known local contractor in August 2010.

There are a number of important refurbishment works which still need to be carried out in the school — fixing the windows, walls, doors, etc. Phase II involves the building of much needed toilet facilities.

Do you want to help the children of Regent School?

Support the project through AKIN, by contacting Jimmy Bruzon 57631000 or e-mail jimbruzon@hotmail.com. n

Derek Dalmedo of DC Motors and Natalie

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 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

25

celebrity connections

Rock Monkey Business for HL Mencken

by Reg Reynolds

Considering he reached the peak of his fame during the Scopes Monkey Trial it is surprising to find that on writing about Gibraltar the satirist HL Mencken never mentioned the Barbary monkeys.

Granted Mencken and his wife Sara arrived in Gibraltar nearly ten years after the famous trial * [See note] which brought national hysteria and international media coverage to the clash between ‘evolutionists’ and ‘creationists’. Still you would have expected such an observant journalist as Mencken to make some comment about the apes, which are actually macaques monkeys. But in a colourful article written for New Yorker magazine the apes don’t get a mention.

In February and March 1934 Mencken took

26

a break from writing and editing his American Mercury magazine to go on a Mediterranean cruise. He had been on the Rock previously but that visit, in 1914, was interrupted by World War

“

I. On the declaration of war Mencken sailed from Gibraltar to Naples and made his way through Italy to Germany where he worked as a war correspondent. When America broke off diplomatic relations with Germany in late 1916 he fled via Spain.

After the subsequent nine-day visit in 1934 Mencken wrote a series of articles for New Yorker including a feature on Gibraltar. Known for his wit and biting sarcasm Mencken seemed to enjoy his time on the Rock and gave it a favourable review. His readers must have been charmed and intrigued by his descriptions, like this one of sunrise: “The Rock is loveliest at dawn with the sun coming up behind it. For a quarter of an hour it is coal black as in the Prudential advertisements.

Then, of a sudden, it turns a luminous gray, and when the sun pops over the top it burns with every colour of the rainbow.”

Mencken’s writing gives a comfortable feel to life in Gibraltar in the 1930s: “Gibraltar looks infinitely old, and it is. There were men here in early Paleolithic times, and there have been men here ever since. The Rock is covered with mangy bald spots, and is full of huge zigzag cracks. One night of frost would bring down a million tons of it. But there is no frost, and so the English arrive copiously in 10-day excursions and bask in the blinding sunlight at the Rock Hotel. The main and only street starts at the dock and runs uphill to the Alameda, a tropical garden halfway up the Rock. Palms. Crotons. Nursemaids of all shades, mainly Spanish. Baby buggies of every reign since George IV’s. Retired sergeants drowsing in the sun, dreaming of the booze in Calcutta, gals in Malay State.”

Mencken was well known for his bibulousness and it appears from his writing that he got on well with the bartender at the Rock Hotel: “The upper classes mount a step higher to the Rock Hotel. A decorous well-turned out house with a competent chef and an enlightened bartender. The guests seem to be all English.

Sir Marmaduke Beasley, Bart., nursing his hereditary sinus infection. Lady Vi Snodgrass recovering from a hound’s bite. They are no great shakes here for every season sees three or four head of dukes, and even Royalty is not uncommon. Down in the town the rival Bristol Hotel announces a Ladies’ Super Five Dance Band, with a Dinner Dance every Friday.”

Mencken found it amusing that the bumboats “…with English precision, are labelled ‘Bumboat’ in large letters and numbered” and that the Gibraltar Chronicle ran notices that read, “On Wednesday gun practice of a heavy nature will take place from the Spur and Levant batteries, commencing at about 10 am. In order to avoid danger windows near the line of fire must be kept open.”

In the article Mencken declares Gibraltar as the safest place on earth: “If a pirate came across the strait from Barbary, he would be confronted by 200 12-inch cannon, three battleships, five cruisers, 20 de-

For a quarter of an hour it is coal black as in the Prudential advertisements. Then, of a sudden, it turns a luminous gray, and when the sun pops over the top it burns with every colour of the rainbow

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

celebrity connections stroyers, and 10 submarines. Even Britons may not climb the rock beyond a certain point. As for American and other such lower fauna, they are halted far below.”

He also remarks on the “soothing climate” and provides useful information, such as ferry service: “Gibel Dersa, a neat packet, runs to Tangier three times a week, subject to weather and other conditions. To Algeciras, across the bay in Spain, there is a ferry five times daily.

One way, two pesetas…” and informs that a trip from London or Liverpool to Gibraltar “…is £18 and well worth it.”

Mencken finishes the article with a flourish: “To the north stretch the lush hills of Andalusia, with the Sierra Nevada for backdrop.

Southward, across the narrow strait, lies the coast of Africa, dour, dangerous and excessively romantic.”

Henry Louis Mencken was born on 12th September, 1880, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of a cigar factory owner. He was inspired to become a writer by reading Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Out of loyalty he worked in the family factory until 1899 when, following his father’s sudden death, he joined the Baltimore Herald as a reporter. He was quickly promoted to editor and when the Herald folded in 1906 he joined the Baltimore Sun. There he began writing the editorials and opinion pieces that made his name. He also became a literary critic for the magazine The Smart Set and along with George Jean Nathan founded the American Mercury. He contributed to the Sun until 1948, when after suffering a stroke he was unable to write.

In 1930, following a seven-year romance, Mencken married teacher and writer Sara

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

Haardt. Sara, had suffered from tuberculosis for most of her adult life and she succumbed to the disease in May 1935, aged 37. Mencken died on 29th January, 1956 aged 75.

Although Mencken penned nothing regarding Gibraltar’s famous monkeys he did have this to say to those humans who didn’t like the idea of having monkeys for ancestors: “It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man.” n * Note: The Scopes Monkey Trial (the State of Tennessee v. Scopes) July 1925, came about when school biology teacher John Scopes was accused of violating the state’s Butler Act which made it unlawful to teach evolution. The trial drew worldwide media and was the first to be broadcast nationwide on radio. It featured the two most famous lawyers of the day, Clarence Darrow, defending Scopes, and William Jennings Bryan, representing the State. Scopes was found guilty but the verdict was overturned on a technicality and he was never retried. Mencken provided the most colourful coverage in the Baltimore Sun, dubbing it the “Monkey Trial”. The story was made into a film, Inherit the Wind, using aliases for the real characters.

“

...there is no frost, and so the English arrive copiously in 10-day excursions and bask in the blinding sunlight at the Rock Hotel

”

Quotes by HL Mencken HL Mencken was Libertarian by nature. He was a sceptic who developed a strong dislike of government and politicians in general. He had an acerbic wit and wrote with a penetrating intellect and caustic humour. Following is a selection of his observations of human progress. ● A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin. ● All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it. ● An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup. ● Any man who afflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood. ● Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking. ● Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under. ● I never lecture, not because I am shy or a bad speaker, but simply because I detest the sort of people who go to lectures and don’t want to meet them. ● It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place. ● It is inaccurate to say I hate everything. I am strongly in favour of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.

27

Harmonics from our Talented Tenor by Frankie Hatton

If you were fortunate enough to see some of the televised Gibraltar Day celebrations in London recently you may have enjoyed the home grown tenor dropped into the spotlight on the Guildhall stage. Phillip Borge, without doubt known to some but perhaps now breaking out due to his new project ‘Harmonics’ — his own choir in the making.

27-year-old Phillip has always sung. He remembers singing nursery rhymes as a child and no doubt TV adverts as well as pop songs, in fact anything he could get his voice around.

There are even cassette tapes somewhere of the three-year-old Phillip ‘in concert’ at home. To his knowledge there was no interest or talent for music in his family, with the exception of a distant uncle.

On hearing of St Mary’s Cathedral Choir’s newsletter appeal for singers, his parents took the 10 year-old Phillip along. After a short spell he left only to return again at the age of 12. He cites Hector Cortes, his music teacher

28

Although Phillip’s ambition and interests lay in teaching and helping others to learn, singing was a genuine love and not something he gave thought to doing as a career

at St Anne’s, as a strong influence, and from the age of 12 he studied music at Bayside with Charlie and Helen Chiappe, while Samantha Bowling helped him a great deal once she had taken over at the Cathedral Choir. Phillip also sang regularly with the Bayside Choir and the Trafalgar Theatre Group, particularly at charity events like many singers in Gibraltar.

Although Phillip’s ambition and interests lay in teaching and helping others to learn, singing was a genuine love and not something he gave thought to doing as a career. He continued his schooling, singing in his spare time and becoming part of the Gibraltar Philharmonic

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

music scene Society Choir around the age of 16. It was here he met the late Tere Facio who opened a whole new world to him called Opera. Tere suggested his voice was more suited to that genre and he practised hard at her home with her husband Charlie accompanying him on the piano. Phillip himself had begun learning to play the piano at the age of nine and taught basic piano from the age of 16.

After he completed his studies and passed exams he decided to apply to a couple of universities to study music. A friend, Andrea Martin, had gone to Bath Spa University so he applied there and was offered a place.

Phillip says the UK offers many opportunities for budding artistes as there are so many places you can learn your craft and experiment while at university.

He became a soloist for the Bristol Opera, Swindon Opera, Bath Opera and Kennett Opera.

He was asked by the Wiltshire Twinning Association to be a soloist on a tour of Germany and during his time in university performed many times in opera such as the Magic Flute and the Marriage of Figaro. Outside university he did things like Tales of Hoffman, Aida and Macbeth as well as Eugene Onegin and others. All these performances met with positive reviews and Phillip began to look at the possibility of making singing his career.

He got work with Opera Sulis an ensemble in Bath — professional singers who taught him a lot about presentation, negotiation, style and stage presence. He studied at Bath Spa under Judy Davis and continued with Rosa Mannion, preparing for auditions and his post graduate

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

courses. Finally he ended up in London at the Royal College of Music studying two post graduate courses in vocal studies, language coaching and acting coaching, working with some of the top professors in the field like Roderick Earle, Amanda Roocroft and Julian Gavin.

Following university he worked in a school as a Behaviour Coordinator and travelled to Somerset, Wiltshire and Kingston as a guest vocal coach for their choirs. He also acted as an adjudicator for school competitions tied into the website www.singup.org which aims to bring more singing to children and adults through various courses and events.

For personal reasons, Phillip had to return to Gibraltar and his family in January 2009.

Since his return he has wanted to share some of his learning and enjoyment with the local

Working now for the Government, Phillip still has a desire to teach, hence the formation of the choir which meets every Monday night at St Andrew’s Church

community. He has appeared in musicals Oliver and Jesus Christ Superstar, and was fundamentally involved in a concert with the cathedral choir back in December 2009 called Regina Coeli.

Regina Coeli used all music based around the Virgin Mary and he says he absolutely loved doing it.

Working now for the Government, he still has a desire to teach, hence the formation of the choir which meets every Monday night at St Andrew’s Church. Budding singers or musicians are invited to go along, to join and experience what Phillip can do to help and encourage young and old alike.

Phillip still has the ambition and drive to do more and he says performing on Gibraltar Day in London was a real highlight for him, and ranks alongside other memories like the Bayside Christmas concert which he enjoyed so much that weeks later he was craving to do it all again.

Like all performers he finds it exciting to step onto a stage and after doing it once he says you will always want to do it again. Like another of his shining highlights, performing an aria called Una furtiva lagrima (One furtive tear) — which brings us back to Gibraltar Day in London where there was hardly a dry eye in the house. n Harmonics choir meets every Monday night at St Andrew’s Church of Scotland, Governor’s Parade.

Budding or experienced musicians and singers are welcome to go along and get involved.

29

“comes Creativity from consistent excitement, passion, motivation and even gratitude...”

Art teacher Christian Hook

Good notes from the art teacher

by Elena Scialtiel

A couple of years’ worth of composing, playing and recording hopefully released in time for Christmas — however it would better fit as a Valentine’s treat for all love-struck people out there — this bunch of songs reflect on the broad spectrum of human relationships, “because we are emotional creatures,” with melodies are harrowingly performed by local singer Nolan Frendo and mixed by Nigel Palmer.

30

Lyrics that are poems, but with the personal experience bonus amplified by catchy tunes to convey a message — just like a Telegraph.

But unlike Mr Darcy’s homonymous power ballad of Bryan Adams-like flavour, where “The pole lines fall, there’s no way to get to you,” here the transmission is successful in exploring the very core of the human heart.

No matter what kind of relationship and where it is going or has been, nobody can help that warm fuzzy feeling whenever reminiscing about the very early stages of it, starry-eyed and star gazing, as Mr Darcy puts it: “She says ‘forgive me if I choose to take time off to explore a part of me I am curious and hungry for’... I cannot bear to see dimming lights and faded dreams, while the stars, yeah, they still shine for us, for the two of us, and I can’t bear to see it turn to dust”.

So claims the ballad Stars, the poignant videoclip streaming on YouTube with over 600 hits in two months, which features an artistic black and white montage of chiaroscuro close-ups of Nolan singing into an old fashion microphone, and Christian on guitar.

This isn’t Christian’s first brush with music: he’s played the guitar for local group Reach, and co-written and performed with The Spoons the fundraiser album Triangles.

Having matured musically and poetically, this is his first major solo project, which he developed at his own pace and according to his own inspiration, to quench his thirst for creativity, and for which he plays everything but vocals, candidly confessing he cannot sing.

“Composing music is a bit like cooking, and I am satisfied with the ingredients I used,” he says.

Don’t judge this album by its cover: listen to it carefully and empathise with the poetic analysis of primordial emotions that will make you miss a heartbeat, whether you’re 18 or 80.

A spanking cover should be piece of cake to design for Christian however, an illustrator by academic background and profession who returned to Gibraltar some ten years ago after a decade in the fast lane being the whiz kid of publishing and heritage.

Hundreds of commissions for Penguin, Macmillan, Disney, National Geographic, 1994 Olympics brochure, book covers, illustrations for travel guides, a children’s bible, visual reconstructions for the National Trust, the English Heritage and the York Archaeological Trust: an impressive curriculum for a young professional always guilty of getting over-competitive with himself to excel in his field.

Globetrotter, recipient of the Rare Excellence Award in 1994 and the youngest lecturer at the London Royal College of Arts in 1997, a position he was appointed to by chance after he actually applied for a scholarship there, Christian soon realised his candle was burning too fast and started missing the laid-back lifestyle of his fellow Gibraltarians.

At the zenith of his career, poor health temporarily brought him back to the Rock, but he eventually decided enough was enough — and there was nothing left untried still worth the pain of the late nights and the gain of the high emoluments he used to command.

At the time, Christian was so much in demand he could afford to turn down the offer from a top New York agency to design the poster for a Bond movie!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

performing arts For someone who had lived with ‘modernday pirates’ off the coast of Tenerife to draw first-hand inspiration for a pirate book, settling down as a teacher was the next loot. He loves it, for the joy of passing his expertise on, and the challenge of nurturing to its fullest potential the artist hidden in each pupil.

“Creativity comes from consistent excitement, passion, motivation and even gratitude,” he explains. Not to stifle it in the routine of a Monday-to-Friday job, he paints whenever the inspiration strikes. One project at the time.

Besides his many sets of stamps for the Philatelic Bureau, life drawings and some top prizes in local art competitions, Christian Hook’s unconventional artistic afflatus is little known in Gibraltar, but quite popular in Spain, where he has participated in collective itinerant exhibitions.

That’s why perhaps he chose to express himself through music: “Any art form can communicate any emotion with the same effectiveness, but whereas my art is more of the kind of ‘art for artists’, I feel that music is an universal and immediate language anyone can understand, no matter how much or how little educated they are.” n

Don’t judge this album by its cover: listen to it carefully and empathise with the poetic analysis of primordial emotions that will make you miss a heartbeat

Charity: Boys & their Tools Topgem Ltd, building contractors, has launched a great charity fund-raising 2011 calendar entitled “Boys & Their Tools”.

The fun photos, featuring the cheeky, but well-covered naked gentlemen from the Topgem team, were taken

by Photo Centre and are modest enough for all but the most sensitive walls. The calendar costs £5 with all proceeds going to the MS Society Oxygen Treatment Centre in Gibraltar. This very worthwhile charity is raising money for the continued provision of Hypernaric Oxygen Therapy at the MS Therapy Centre (the first of its kind on the Iberian Paninsular). Oxygen Therapy is widely and successfully used for the

treatment of conditions such as arthritis, sports injuries, cerebal palsy, diabetic non-wound healing, ulcers, strokes, neurological conditions and cancer related problems.

Support the boys at Topgem in raising money for this great cause by picking up your copy of the calendar at Biancas or The Ship at Marina Bay, Fresh at the Public Market, or the Topgem office at 4 Shackleton Road.

The “Boys & Their Tools” calendar is a great amusing holiday gift idea and supports a good cause. n

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

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.

Gibraltar’s Leading Data and Records Management Specialists

Main Dealers for

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

31

Pepe Rosado:

The Civil Servant with a Passion for History an interview by Mike Brufal

Pepe Rosado, 71, is the quintessential Gibraltarian Civil Servant, having spent 34 years working for the Gibraltar government in a variety of positions — treasury, labour and social security, Deputy Governor’s office, industrial relations personnel, London tourist office, tourist office Gibraltar, trade and industry, and housing and public works. He is known for his quick wit, his prowess as a lecturer and for the passion he shows when he takes parties, especially school children, around the Convent, its beautiful gardens and chapel. Furthermore he possesses an encyclopaedic knowledge of Gibraltar’s heritage and is a passionate lover of the Rock’s rich history.

Pepe, who is married with one daughter and two grandchildren, has started to write a layman’s history of Gibraltar but says every day he realises how little he knows. He believes the history of Gibraltar should be on the educational curriculum and this should be linked to GCSE and A level exams. Local history was a subject sadly lacking during his own school days.

Pepe was born on the Rock just before the World War II evacuation and so has scanty recollections of his time in London. His earliest recollection is of a “kaleidoscope of a castle in

32

Pepe has started to write a layman’s history of Gibraltar but says every day he realises how little he knows. Local history was a subject sadly lacking in his own s chool days

the background surrounded by vivid red and gold colours”. Some decades later while walking in Piccadilly, London he passed a postcard stand and there was the scene imprinted in his memory for 30 years. On the back of the postcard it said ‘St. Paul’s Cathedral lit by the fires of incendiary bombs, World War II’. He’s adamant this does not make him psychic!

The SS Sterling Castle brought his family back to Gibraltar in 1944. Pepe started school at St Michael’s, followed by the school in Prince Edward’s Road (now Nazareth House) where

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

profile the headmistress was the formidable Miss Kent with Miss Xerri as form teacher. Many teachers were unqualified but made up for this in experience and a wish to take part in the rebuilding of Gibraltar after the evacuation.

A short time was spent at the Castle Road School under the direction of Mr Silva and Ms Vallejo. By the time he moved to Sacred Heart School the Christian Brothers had returned to Gibraltar and Brother Fearon was headmaster.

Originally the grammar school was at Plata Villa but by the time Pepe passed through its portals in 1950 it had moved to the Sacred Heart site with Brother Foley as headmaster.

Pepe paid this tribute to his teachers: “The Christian Brothers were an amazing group of men, mainly Irish, whose lives were dedicated to securing the best for their pupils. The extra curricular activities were outstanding, covering sport, drama, choir, debating and special displays. For more than two decades the grammar school pupils put on impressive drama plays, physical training displays and choral productions. It was the aim of every Brother to develop the full potential of each pupil and provide an all round education,” he adds.

After leaving school in 1957 he joined Barclays Bank DCO where he found the management archaic and colonial and so he left after a few months along with many others.

National Service followed in March 1958 when he joined the 20th Intake. This was the time of the change of name from the Gibraltar Defence Force to the Gibraltar Regiment and also from gunners to infantrymen. Major Cargill, assisted by a couple of Sergeants and Corporals from the Royal Sussex Regiment (the resident battalion) turned them into smart soldiers and competent infantrymen. In 1960 Charlie Hayward persuaded him to join the Gibraltar Regiment Volunteer Reserve and he was commissioned in 1962 reaching the rank of Acting Major. He was awarded the ED in 1974.

After demobilisation he joined the Gibraltar government Civil Service in December 1958 as a permanent and pensionable employee despite being on six months probation. His first boss was Pepe Romero, Accountant General, and he learned much from Albert Gareze, Alex Nunez and Pepe Canessa. After six years in the Treasury he moved to Labour & Social Security under Howard Davis. This was a shrewd move as unwittingly Howard became his mentor and their paths were to cross many times during his career. Howard was the civil servant he admired

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

the most. In 1968 he returned to the Treasury where Howard Davis was the Financial and Development Secretary. 1972 saw him transferred at his own request to the tourist office where Pepe Vaughan was director. While there, his duties included the air terminal, the caravan parking site, the Miss Gibraltar pageant, the annual fair and the Alameda crazy golf range.

When Howard Davis was appointed Deputy Governor he asked Pepe to join his staff as a Special Grade Clerk. As Howard and Pepe Vaughan were close friends he was able to work for the tourist office in the morning and the Deputy Governor’s office in the afternoon. He carried on with this huge work load for six months but eventually was forced to choose between the two. Much to Howard’s surprise Pepe opted to stay with the tourist office.

The next promotion came in 1974 as Supervisory Officer in the newly created industrial relations section of the government secretariat under Joe Pitaluga. Pepe’s line manager was Gill Streets, an expert sent out by the Overseas Development Agency, to establish better relations with the trade unions. The next few years were the worst years for industrial relations experienced on the Rock. Pepe learned a great deal from Gill and from Joseph Danino, a retired senior officer from the City Council who had been re-employed as a Principal Officer.

Pepe was no newcomer to trade unionism as he had been the longest serving secretary of the Civil Service Association which was made up of employees of all the civil service, except the police. After a period of infighting between the different grades of the service, Pepe was instrumental in the formation of a separate union, the Gibraltar Government Clerical Association, to which he purposely did not seek election.

“

The Christian Brothers were an amazing group of men... whose lives were dedicated to securing the best for their pupils. It was the aim of every Brother to develop the full potential of each pupil and provide an all round education

”

When Joseph Danino retired Pepe succeeded him as Principal Officer. During this time of industrial turmoil he was greatly assisted by Dickie Armstrong who had joined the section.

Soon he was appointed a Higher Executive Officer and sent to work with Sir Jack Scamp who the Gibraltar Government had invited out to compile a report on parity of wages between Gibraltar and the UK. Detailed instructions were given by Howard Davies as to how he should work with Sir Jack. What no one had told Scamp was that Gibraltar’s wage structure consisted of more than 200 different grades and it fell upon Pepe to reveal this unique industrial relations anomaly.

Eventually the Scamp Report was published and recommended a figure of 72% of salaries and wages with comparable grades in the UK. This was agreed and within a year or two became 100%. The political evolution of Gibraltar government ministers meant they were taking more decisions and by the mid-’70s working relations between ministers and civil servants were similar to those in the UK. Pepe was promoted temporarily to Senior Labour Officer in the Labour & Social Security Department under Charles Gareze, Director, and Richard Pitaluga, Deputy Director. One of his great successes in this job was to secure well needed improvements to accommodation for the Moroccan workforce living at Casemates.

Pepe’s next promotion was to a deputy to the Head of Personnel, Louis Canessa, with the grade of Senior Executive Officer.

In 1982 Pepe succeeded John Joe Gomez as manager of the London tourist office. While on the Rock he had recommended to the Minister, Abraham Serfaty, and the Administrative Secretary, Joe Pitaluga, that a house be bought for the manager rather than renting one. This was agreed and in 1979 a house had been bought in fashionable Dulwich for around £30,000. During his posting as manager the freehold from the Dulwich Estate became available and was bought on his recommendation. Recently, the house was sold for over a million pounds.

During his years in London he was ably assisted by Harry Orfila, Susan Ramos, Lourdes Wright, Rose Guillem, Rosina Lyons, Julie Watson, Paul Grech and Charles Bossano. He studied, attended conferences, symposia and seminars and learned from his fellow managers of National Tourist Offices in the capital.

Trade promotions and road shows were his forte and he trebled the number held each year.

33

profile During his time he estimates a road show was held in every major city in England and Wales at least twice. A great regret is that he never took it to Scotland or Northern Ireland. Even today he cannot decide if, considering the huge cost, it is worth exhibiting at the World Travel Market.

During his time in London, at least three PR firms and two advertising agencies offered advice on advertising and marketing Gibraltar.

Small press parties (around four journalists at a time) were sent to the Rock and generated a great deal of favourable coverage.

The insides of taxis were used to considerable effect and he fostered relations with the British Legion which resulted in Miss British Legion enjoying a holiday on the Rock.

Throughout his time in London, Pepe gave many talks. He spoke to students of the Open University and eventually became a member of the curriculum advisers to the university where he argued in favour of greater development of its tourism studies.

In 1987 he was appointed to his dream position, Director of Tourism, however difficulty finding a replacement manager for the London Office meant he was again forced to do two jobs.

He worked for two weeks as manager of the London Office, then flew to the Rock to assume command as Director and after a fortnight, back to London; this went on for six months until Richard Garcia was sent to London.

Today Pepe thinks Gibraltar is too small to be a mass market tourist destination and the answer is to go upmarket. What Gibraltar does best is to attract cruise liners and day trippers, he adds. The highly successful marinas should include repair facilities for large yachts. There should be considerable investment in the tourism and heritage infrastructure especially in

the Upper Rock, he says. At present Gibraltar cannot be marketed as a conference centre as the largest number of delegates in any hotel is around 200. Today’s conference organisers are looking at a theatre capacity of at least a 1000 delegates.

His judgement is that during the next decade Gibraltar should become a luxury resort with up to seven five-star hotels. Many Ministers have wished to reposition Gibraltar as an up market resort to rival Monaco but no one has fired the starting gun...

Pepe’s time as Director did not last long. In the 1988 election the GSLP were swept into power and the new Minister, Joe Pilcher, downgraded the position of the civil servant running the tourist office. Pepe was moved laterally to Trade & Industry where Michael Feetham was Minister. There for less than a year, he was able to persuade the Saudis to site the mosque at Europa Point. He also devised a scheme to save government money by purchasing the furniture from Ministry of Defence flats handed to the government instead of the MOD selling the furniture locally.

Today Pepe thinks Gibraltar is too small to be a mass market tourist destination and the answer is to go upmarket

His final position was head of the Housing and Public Works Department where he remained for three years until early retirement in 1992 after 35 years service.

Retirement has been as busy as his days in the Civil Service. Lectures continue to be given on a wide variety of subjects. For 16 years he has taken parties around the Convent, including many children who go away fired to learn more about Gibraltar’s history. He has lectured to SAGA clients, groups from the USA, NADFAS and various clubs along the Costa del Sol. In January 1999 he received the first Governor’s Award in recognition of his civic volunteer work.

As a hard working member of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, he was invited by Colonel Eddie Guerrero to become a trustee, and subsequently appointed vice-chairman. He resigned this position after a disagreement with the government on a conservation issue but remains a member of the trust.

In 2005 he was awarded the Gibraltar Heritage Trust senior individual award in recognition of his unstinting and passionate support for Gibraltar’s heritage, and in particular for his research into and organisation of tours of the Convent for locals and visitors which enhance knowledge of this heritage site.

The former Director of Tourism concludes by saying: “Gibraltar is an amazing city with a history and heritage second to none. We must ensure we work towards a planned, correct and intelligent usage of our history and heritage.

Our heritage is there for us to be proud of, for visitors to experience and enjoy. Tourists should not arrive on cheap package holidays only, if we wish tourism to be a meaningful sector of the economy.” n

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Counselling and Training Services (Western Europe) have recently a course in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Gibraltar. The NCFE C805 Level 3 Certificate in Working with Traumatic Stress is the only certified course of its kind in the UK, and is accredited by NCFE. CTSWE has been active in Gibraltar since 1995 and offers a wide range of courses locally including training in Understanding Sexual Abuse, and Working with Relationships and Bereavement.

“PTSD is unfortunately quite a common condition considering the amount of people exposed to accidents or other traumatic events,” said Mark Montovio, who is the senior tutor in Gibraltar and is enrolled on the PTSD course as a student. “These deeply embedded traumas cause serious distress and often need specialised approaches.”

A full prospectus detailing the range of training courses available for the year 2010/11 can be obtained from Mark Montovio by emailing mount@gibraltar.gi

2010 Gibraltar Christmas Stamps The 2010 Gibraltar Christmas stamps have been designed to be as colourful and decorative as all the items associated with the season such as Christmas decorations, Christmas cards and Christmas gifts.

A set of four stamps, a First Day Cover and Presentation pack for collectors are available from the Philatelic Shop outside the Main Post Office in Main Street or through the Gibraltar stamp website www. gibraltar-stamps.com. The stamps are also available to the general public at the Royal Gibraltar Post Office counters for Christmas mailings. n

34

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

seasonal something

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

35

in focus

Gibraltar Photographic Society: Unwanted...

This page: top-graded photos in the Digital Projection Competition on the theme “Unwanted” judged by Mabelle Imossi. Clockwise from top left: Beer Can Brian Gordon 31pts; Doll Alex Zapata 32pts; Despair Brian Gordon 31pts; Hat Maurice Hook 32pts; Left behind Stephen Hermida 32pts; Unseaworthy Stephen Hermida 32pts; Homeless Alex Zapata 30pts; Unwanted Tyson Holmes 31pts

Opposite: Top-graded photos in the Monochrome Prints Competition on the theme “Urban Patterns” judged by Mabelle Imossi. Clockwise: Door detail Rafa Millan 31pts; Pylon Tyson Holmes

30pts; Rooftop Leslie Linares 30pts; Cobbles Leslie Linares 33pts; Squares Maurice Hook 34pts; Windows, King’s Wharf Luis Pitto 37pts

36

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

in focus

u r b a n patterns

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

37

property market bots, the parish church of Kensington.

Charles set about creating a real estate business and achieved instant success. The family business grew, with Charles’ son Arthur Chesterton joining the firm in the 1830’s at which time Charles added auctioneering to the company’s services. The family tradition continued with Arthur’s sons Edward and Sidney both joining the firm during the 1860’s and the firm officially changed its name to Chesterton and Sons in 1876.

Sidney Chesterton’s son Frank, then took up the reins, practising his skill of architecture, including designing Hornton Court in Kensington in 1907, a building in which the Kensington branch of Chesterton still operates. Sadly, Frank Chesterton died fighting in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 during World War I. Throughout the 19th century, as the firm continued to expand, it attracted professionals from outside of the Chesterton family. William Henry Wells joined Chesterton & Sons in 1897 and went on to become President of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and President of the Auctioneers and Estate Agents Institute in 1917-19. He also founded the College of Estate Management in 1919 and became its first president.

Charles Chesterton’s great great grandson, Oliver, was the last direct descendent to work for the firm. Oliver, the son of architect Frank Chesterton, joined the firm in 1931 and by 1945 was a senior partner. Oliver was appointed The President of the Royal Institute of Chartered Gibraltar Surveyors in 1968 and was knighted in 1969. team He retired from Chesterton in 1980, the year of the firm’s 175th anniversary.

In the ’80s the firm started to grow internationally, with an office in New York opening in 1981 and an office in Singapore opening in 1985.

Growth continued with the property booms in the ’90s and the early 2000s. In 2005 however, just as property prices were forging ahead both in the UK and Gibraltar, Chesterton wobbled due to an unsuccessful foray into commercial property. This opened the door for a private In the very same year that Horatio Nelson was winning the Battle of equity group including multi-millionaire property tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz and Libyan born Trafalgar just a few miles from our shores, Charles Chesterton was Salah Mussa to acquire the firm. in London establishing what would become a major force in the real Despite the onset of recession in the UK, Chesterton was soon back in growth mode. estate industry.

Attracted by the number of companies, emKing George III was on the throne when Chesterton was also an agent for the Phoenix ployees and high net worth individuals relocatCharles started as a land agent collecting rent Insurance company (now part of Royal & Sun ing to Gibraltar, Chesterton identified a local for a large landowner in Kensington. Charles Alliance) and a church warden at St Mary Ab- owner and operator of its brand in Gibraltar,

1805 – Charles and Horatio make history

38

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

property market who opened its office here in March 2008, in Ocean Village. The local office has rapidly established itself as a leading player in the property and relocation market, benefitting from its links with London, the UK and other international offices.

In June 2008, despite the deteriorating property market in the UK, Chesterton acquired 34 branches of the UK estate agency chain Humberts and merged these into the group. Later in 2008 Mussa became the sole shareholder of the group by acquiring his friend Tchenguiz’s shares. Then in December 2008, under Musa’s leadership, Chesterton advised the Libyan Investment Authority on its £120m purchase of 14 Cornhill Exchange in the City of London from German fund manager IVG. Chesterton had well and truly bounced back from its 2005 blip and was now back in the big league.

Indeed, there are now offices in Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Majorca, France, South Africa and Italy, as well as Singapore and Australia, with further international expansion envisaged.

The Gibraltar office is now a key component of the international division and has recently closed deals on local properties with individuals relocating to Gibraltar from Spain, Portugal, UK, Italy, Sweden, Guernsey and Dubai, plus sourcing office space for a steady trickle of incoming companies predominantly from the UK albeit also from other parts of Europe.

So 205 years after Charles Chesterton’s rent collection business began, he will no doubt be looking down in pride at the business he began, now with 60 UK offices and 12 international offices (including our very own in Gibraltar) across four continents of the world. ■ This article was written with the help of Melanie Backe-Hansen, historian for Chesterton in the UK

Chestertons’ Competition Win £1,000 to donate to your favourite local charity...

Answer these 5 easy questions: 1. Who started Chesterton?

2. What year did Chesterton start business?

3. What year was the Battle of Trafalgar?

4. In how many continents does Chesterton operate?

5. Where is Chesterton in Gibraltar?

Please include with your entry: your name, your address, your daytime telephone number, and your email address.

Post or hand deliver your entry to Chesterton, 20 Ocean Village Promenade on or before the closing date of midday Thursday 23rd December 2010.

The winner will be the first person whose fully correct coupon is drawn at random out of the box by an independent person on the afternoon of Thursday 23rd December 2010. The winner will be able to choose a local registered charity of his or her choice (which must benefit local people) and Chesterton will donate £1,000 to that charity in January 2011. The name of

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

the winner and the nominated charity will be published in the February 2011 edition of the Gibraltar Magazine.

Charity Competition Rules 1. Entry to the competition is free and is restricted to one entry per person 2. Multiple entries will be disqualified 3. Automated entries (eg by email), bulk entries or third party entries will be disqualified 4. The competitions is open to Gibraltar residents and/or Gibraltar employees only 5. Chesterton employees are excluded 6. The winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries 7. The winner will be contacted by telephone and email 8. The Judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to 9. The competition will run from 1 December 2010 and will close midday 23 December 2010 10. All records of all names and addresses on the entry forms will be destroyed as soon as the winner is identified and no record whatsoever will be kept of the entrants’ details 11. The winner agrees to identify a local registered charity and appear in publicity material at the time of donating the £1,000 to the winner’s nominated charity (likely to be early January 2011) which must be a bona fide registered charity in Gibraltar benefiting Gibraltar people.

39

real estate

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

19/2 Governor’s Parade, Gibraltar Tel: 200 74018

3 Convent Place Tel: 200 77789 or 200 42818 Fax: 200 42527 Email: slevy@gibraltar.gi

chartered surveyors

home insurance Eurolinx 21&22 Victoria House, 26 Main St Tel: 200 40240 Ibex Insurance The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 44628

property services

Gibraltar Art Gallery 14 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 73898 Email: artgallery@gibtelecom.net

property directory

Irish Town Antiques Irish Town Tel: 200 70411 Seekers Ltd Property Solutions 10 Engineer Lane Tel: 200 44955 info@seekerspropertysolutions.com www.furnituresolutions.gi

commercial interiors construction

Bridge Solutions PO Box 598 Tel: 57185000 Fax: 200 77041

homes & interiors

Portman Ltd

Space Interiors 6 Ellesmere House, City Mill Lane Tel: 200 73992 www.spaceinteriors.gi

General Suppliers

Hire & Sale of Portable Cabin Units (Office, Toilet Units etc) Unit F17 Europa Business Centre PO Box 476, Gibraltar Tel: 200 73119 Fax: 200 45008 E-mail: portman@gibtelecom.net

transport services GibCargo Ltd Unit 3 North Mole Industrial Park Tel: 200 70787 Email: tom@gibcargo.com

marine services

TARIK

39-41 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar Tel: 200 78105 Fax: 200 42510

Full Bunkering & Yacht Refuelling Service Spain: 15/5a Virgen del Carmen Algeciras (Cadiz), Spain Tel/Fax: 34 56 630418 After Hrs: Gib 200 70982

• 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

waste management Curtain Makers Home Interiors Fabrics Bedding 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

40 40

Gibraltar: Tel: (350) 200 72836 Fax: (350) 200 72861 Cables: TARIK GIB TLX: 2343 TRATAR

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

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• DECeMBER DECEMBER 2010

property file

a walk on the Whether it’s leopard spots or zebra stripes, animal print home décor is a fun, exciting way to spice up your home.

This classic design style has become so popular in recent times that endless possibilities of animal print décor is available, including pillows, duvet covers, rugs, wallpaper, animal statues and framed pictures of African animals.

Animal print can add a luxurious look to your room, and even the smallest addition of animal print can add an exotic sense to any room without overdoing it. For the adventurous, you can go all out on a combination of different animal prints using it as a main theme of a room. For the conservative, you can use subtle accents, maybe a cheetah-printed pillow on a couch.

To keep your house from looking like a zoo, stick to a specific colour scheme or pattern. The good thing is that most animal prints are neutral colours, so they go well with most other colours.

Faux fur and painted fur are

better (practically, ethically and conservation-wise), and still look like the real deal.

So whether it’s wild or tame, bold or subdued, animal prints have something unique for every homeowner. ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

41

I’m Dreaming of a

Bright

by Kristin Mortensen

Christmas

You’ve spent all day dressing the Christmas tree from top to bottom in silver ornaments. Just as you lean over to carefully top the tree with a matching iridescent angel, your children run through the front door with their handmade Christmas ornaments. You look at their mismatched pieces of “artwork” and cringe at the thought of them on your impeccable silver-coordinated tree. As they fight to show you who’s is best, you take both of the ornaments and nestle them at the back of the tree, out of sight for this year’s guests.

The single-colour tree theme has become increasingly stylish over the years, but 2010 shies away from this trend and invites bright colours to this festive season.

Neon blues, pinks, purples and greens are the most popular colour schemes this year — ­ the brighter, the better! Spruce up your tree with bold-coloured ornaments and add some glitter for a little extra pizzazz. String multi-coloured lights around the branches to create a warm radiance especially at night.

Lastly, you can use a traditional Christmas motif as a tree topper,

but choose one with a different type of material in a flashy neon colour.

Christmas doesn’t stop at a dazzling Christmas tree. You can brighten up your living room inexpensively by making some easy additions. Drape various colours of garland around the room and down bannisters if you have them. Cut snowflakes out of coloured paper by folding a sheet into sixteeths and cutting out little shapes. Unfold the paper for a wintery snowflake. This is an ideal opportunity to get the children involved with the Christ-

Neon blues, pinks, purples and greens are the most popular colour schemes this year ­— the brighter, the better!

42

Forget the all-one-colour Christmas tree — this year the trend is for bright and cheerful

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

home interior

mas decorating. Finally, hang them from the ceiling for a colourful winter wonderland experience.

Instead of the pretty silvery presents under the tree, wrap your presents in bright solid colours complete with a different coloured bow on top. You can also tie bows and spread them around your house with colourful or patterned ribbon to try something unique and keep the festive feeling.

A row of white candles tied with colourful bows down the centre of your table creates an elegant centrepiece if you are hosting a Christmas party this year. Glitter ornaments twinkle by the light of the flame and add a magical warmth to the table. Place candles with a warm vanilla or spice scent throughout the house to finalise your colourful Christmas utopia.

Homemade decorations add warmth and coziness to any Christmas setting. For a personal touch, give every member of the family their own miniature tree to decorate. Get out your arts and crafts box and see who can come up with the most creative tree by decorat-

‘Tis the season to be jolly and break out of your shell by splashing out on a colourful array of vivid colours

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

ing plain-coloured ornaments and painting them with bright colours. Add trinkets or sprinkle glitter for the ultimate creation.

Christmas decorating doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be fun, creative and most importantly a chance to bond with the rest of your family.

So when your child comes home this year with a homemade Christmas ornament which they created in arts and crafts class, think about the little hands that made it with love. So what if it doesn’t match your carefully selected colour scheme. Hang it on the front of the tree for everyone to see because it’s not only fashionable, it’s also meaningful, and is bound to bring some festive cheer to your home.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and break out of your shell by splashing out on a colourful array of vivid colours. And while we’re at it, let’s wish everyone a colourful, bright and cheerful 2011 too.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! n

43

history file

Mind Blowing India: Prem Goes Solo Local photographer, Prem Mahtani, will showcase his first solo exhibition of photographs, entitled Incredible India: a photographic journey through Rajasthan, this month at the Casemates Art Gallery.

44

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

project update While on holiday in January 2010, Prem rode the ‘Royal Rajasthan on Wheels’ train through the villages and countryside of India’s largest state. This journey turned out to be a fantastic photo opportunity and resulted in the shots which make up this exhibition.

Incredible India comprises 50-80 limited edition prints, which are available for sale to the general public with all proceeds going to AKIN children’s charity. Prem says he chose the local AKIN charity as all proceeds would go directly to the various projects worldwide.

The event starts at 6pm at the art gallery in Casemates on the night of 10th December. The opening night is, as you might expect, Indian-

Prem Mahtani’s own photographic journey began just three years ago... themed, so dress in your finest Indian clothes and fill up on Indian snacks while browsing walls filled with the stunning photographs.

Prem’s own photographic journey began just three years ago, but he has honed his craft with the same tenacity and dedication he uses in his successful Gibraltar retail business. He won Gibraltar’s Photographer of the Year title at his first attempt, and is now a multi-award winning international photographer. Prem’s works have also been featured on covers of the Gibraltar Magazine.

You can view his images on his website at www.mindblowingimages.com. Or go along to the Casemates Art Gallery in mid-December — entrance is free of charge. n Prem would like to thank Ramsons, Hour Concierge, Terry’s Books and Highflyer Marketing for their help and contribution to the Rajasthan Exhibition which has allowed all funds raised to be donated to the chosen charity.

Local photographer Prem Mahtani is holding his first solo exhibition in December 2010 at Casemates Art Gallery

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DeCeMBER 2010

45

Photo: Antionette Chantal Hosken

Doing a U-Turn:

by Kristin Mortensen

Rock with a Message Five years ago, Martin Hosken, Darrell Farrugia and Richard Baker came together from different Christian churches on the Rock to form their band U-Turn.

Colin Hosken, one of their keenest supporters back then, has now recently joined the group. Though none of them envisioned themselves developing into a rock band, their talent shone through and a band was born.

U-turn is the perfect example of how a hobby can start as one thing, bloom into something else, and end as another. Their motivating story begins with a few people sitting in a basement strumming

46

U-Turn is the perfect example of how a hobby can start as one thing, bloom into something else, and end as another

a guitar, recognising they all had their own knack for music, and progresses into a full-fledged rock band. While each of the members still pursues their individual musical paths playing at their church

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

music scene

“

Many people in Gibraltar don’t hear contemporary Christian music, so we try to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through our lyrics and touch people’s lives the way God has touched ours of choice, they come together once every 3-4 months to perform at local charity events and worship gatherings. They play cover hits of mainstream Christian bands such as Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, Creed and Delirious.

“When we first got together as a band, I didn’t even know what an ‘effects pedal’ was,” lead singer Martin admits. Just like anything, these initial stages are a learning experience for everyone, but it’s safe to say U-Turn has come a long way since those days. They’ve recently started playing more and even wrote their first song together, titled Insane. The song describes their love and devotion to their religion through melodic rhythm. It is a little more pop rock than the covers they usually play, but it still preserves their authentic rock style.

Music aside, these men are also hard workers outside the band room. Martin, who works in the Gibraltar Defence Police, is the lead vocalist and guitarist. His brother, Colin, is U-turn’s newest addition and has found a place as a guitarist as well. Darrell works in the marketing department at Gibtelecom and focuses on backing vocals and rocks out on the bass guitar. Richard works as an accountant for Toyota Gibraltar and plays the drums. Their wide range of ages from mid-20s to mid-50s, ensures there’s a song for everyone.

The name U-Turn, metaphorically speaking, comes from the life-changing decision to end sinful ways and walk with God in the Christian way. As Martin puts it, “It is when someone makes a 180 degree turn, like a U-turn, and joins the Christian way of life.”

Recently, U-Turn has undergone a radical change with the absence of their keyboardist and the addition of Colin on guitar. This change has obviously altered the way the band sounds, creating a more amplified rock sound compared to their previous mellow style. With three guitarists and a drummer, they certainly know

”

how to rock, consistently delivering exciting shows on stage.

One of the band’s most memorable moments is when they performed at the National Day Concert in 2007. It was the first time they played for such a diverse crowd. “The atmosphere at the National Day concert was unreal, and we were so blessed to play in front of the community and represent Gibraltar on one of the most important days of the year,” Martin reminisces.

“Unfortunately, many people in Gibraltar don’t hear contemporary Christian music, so we try to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through our lyrics and touch people’s lives the way God has touched ours,” Martin says.

Among other shows, U-Turn plays gigs in local venues such as the Rock on the Rock Club and Lord Nelson’s. Going from a worship setting to a bar is one extreme to the next, but U-Turn has ears listening and hands clapping from everyone. Sure, the music has a nice tune, but does the audience know the underlying meaning of the lyrics?

“We played a gig at Lord Nelson’s and everyone was pumped up and cheering us on, and I was thinking, ‘You have no idea what we’re even singing about’,” Martin laughed. “We’re not everybody’s cup of tea, but we always get a really good reception,” he added after a long pause.

Conveying a different genre of music is no easy task. People tend to listen to the music the media broadcasts either on TV or radio, and subsequently, that music becomes popular. In a place such as Gibraltar, where Christian music doesn’t feature high on the music billboard, U-Turn’s music has come as a breath of fresh air. And with passion and persistence behind these musicians, U-Turn has spread their uplifting songs to the people of Gibraltar. n If you would like U-Turn to play at your next gig, contact the band at martinhosken@hotmail.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

47

art scene

Davina Mañasco:

Exploring the Female Form

by Jolene Gomez

“I don’t think there has ever been a ‘start’… Art and expression have always been a part of who I am.” Davina Mañasco has always had something to say, and painting provided her with the vehicle to do so. Finding the female form as her source of inspiration, Davina believes she could spend a lifetime trying to capture the depth of every curve, inherent beauty and female sensuality.

Describing her childhood as pretty much “like anybody else’s”, Davina tells of a wonderful family, who have always supported her in everything, and as such says she owes her talent to the freedom they gave her. Her desire to express was developed through experience and learning, as she states, “any decent artist only gets better with time and experience, not technique.”

Her interest in Fine Art directed her to the University of Wolverhampton — “an interesting and inspiring city” — where she completed both her first degree and MA. However, “everything I learned before my MA was only a preamble. When I finally understood my concept

She mentions Hans Bellmer, Marlene Dumas and my motivation (during my MA) I realised that art is more of a visceral reaction, not just a and Jean Rustin as having inspired her with their great works, but to single out just one of vocation.”

She held a few exhibitions in the UK, in- them for pure inspiration and kinship would cluding some in the university, and at a local art-house cinema in Wolverhampton. The one she describes as the most fascinating was held on the top floor of a sex shop, featuring some of the most engaging erotic art she had ever seen.

Her work is all about creating the perfect piece, which portrays her concept and values.

“What truly moves me is the idea that one day I can produce a work that perfectly encapsulates my feelings on exquisite beauty and sensuality… All too often in modern art, the aesthetic ideal is discarded in the pursuit of the most witty or shocking work,” she states.

“

Art is very much needed in society. Never dismiss beauty. It is the foundation of everything

48

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

be Egon Schiele; “his concept, drive and raw passion resonates with my own ideals and motivation. He is the man.”

She does not feel the need to explore or address any major issues in her work at all times, as there is an importance in doing things just for the sake of doing them. “This freedom allows the work to be free of any constraints and sometimes proves to be the deepest and most meaningful,” she says.

Preferring her pad and pens as a starting point in her work, which usually starts out as a sketch, the next step is usually ink and charcoal, and sometimes very watered down acrylic. Davina describes her work as sometimes reflecting her personality, but tending to have a personality of its own; one which she even finds impossible to control sometimes.

As an artist, Davina strives to keep asking herself questions she cannot answer, as half the time she doesn’t know where these images come from, but with each painting she explores her own motivations and ideals. She sits down and forces herself to work, although not always inspired to do so. “It’s at this point when I really need to dig deep and force myself to push out these images.”

Her last exhibition, Tainted, in Gibraltar was also her first solo show and a proud moment in her artistic career. “The exhibition was as perfect as I could muster… It was very special to me, and I was happy that everyone who came to view it, appreciated a new perspective on art.” She highlights her piece, Lolita Series – One 2009 (acrylic & pencil on canvas), as her baby, and she sees something new within it every time she looks at it. “It’s very beautiful, I

“

can’t stop staring at it.”

Davina also thanks Minister for Culture, Edwin Reyes, for providing her with the opportunity to showcase her exhibition, from which she got positive feedback. But although the response was good, she feels it was not fully accepted by the local artistic community. “The ‘scene’ in Gibraltar has become somewhat of a clique. Unfortunately I have never formed part of any association and yet I feel it’s not always about the guest list to your show, but about having your work out there and creating a con-

What truly moves me is the idea that one day I can produce a work that perfectly encapsulates my feelings on exquisite beauty and sensuality... All too often in modern art, the aesthetic ideal is discarded in the pursuit of the most witty or shocking work

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

”

cept that you want people to think about.”

The future brings a definite expansion and exploration of the same themes as her last exhibition, as to see her images on the wall made her hungry for more, but with a different purpose. She is also working with her photographer husband, Zane, on an interesting project, as well as trying to get a collective, collaborative exhibition off the ground.

For her, aspiring artists should create what’s in their head — “Sometimes you need to just do and not think about it too much.”

She believes Gibraltar should support new blood, as there are many artists out there without an outlet to present their work. “With a proper network/support we could help make this a vibrant artistic community… Art is very much needed in society. Never dismiss beauty.

It is the foundation of everything,” Davina concludes.

For further information, Davina can be contacted via email dee.doll@gmail.com n

49

charity releases be sung by a group. After discussing the idea with Giles Ramirez, and once everything was thought out, he decided to gather as many local singers as possible, to create a local version of We Are The World, so to speak.

Slowly singers trickled in and confirmed their participation, and decisions were made as to who would sing which part of the lyrics — lyrics which are related to suffering, poverty and devastation, and express a cry for all humanity to help those in need.

With such a vibrant music scene emanating from Gibraltar, it is no wonder over 30 musicians have given their free time for rehearsals, shoots and recording. The artists who will be featured in the charity single include Jesse McLaren, Joe Adamberry, Adrian Pisarelo, Craig McDonald, Nolan Frendo, Sarah Yeats, Lorraine Sanders, Guy Palmer Jnr, Tiery Alman, Leo Sanguinetti, Giles Ramirez, Nigel Palmer, Philip Valverde, Guy Palmer Snr, Stephen McLaren, Lawrence Imossi, Laura Diaz, Richard Cartwright, Tito Chipolina, James Ablitt, Andrea Martin, Francis Chipolina, Jeremy Perez, Robert Perez, Norddine Elmziouki, Alan Alman, Sylvia Palmer, Francis Saccone, Jackie Grima and Dunia Milanta.

But as with every good charity single, a good video clip beckoned, and Glen was the man for the job. After listening to the song in its initial stages, Glen realised the presentation and quality of the video had to be of a high standard to

Both charity singles will be available during the next few weeks, so make these tunes part of your Christmas playlists this season!

very merry Christmas

Charity Singles

It’s that time year again — a new wave of charity singles are about to hit the market to spread goodwill in the Christmas season. So, why not invest in some brilliant tunes for your listening pleasure, and all for a good cause too. An array of local artists have been busy in Gibraltar and the UK, in the last few months, creating charity singles, which can be purchased online and in local shops.

An exciting musical project has been underway over recent months, involving over 30 local musicians, and all for a very worthy cause.

Need U Need Us, has been composed, produced and arranged by Nigel Palmer, video clip pro-

50

duced by Glen Sanders, and supported by our Ministry of Culture.

During the Haiti disaster, Nigel Palmer was composing as usual, and realised he had come up with a melody which had the potential to

match. With a few ideas and inspirations from the track, recording for the video began at Gibraltar’s Biffy Studios. The post production process has also been ongoing, as well as filming at exterior locations. So look out for Need U Need Us, available very soon.

Meanwhile in the UK, Gibraltar’s independent singer-songwriter Surianne is working on an EP with producer Miguel Diaz (Dembora Records), featuring a track, Stronger Than Before, which will become the charity single for Hestia Housing and Support, and will be released in Dec 2010.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Hestia works in partnership with service users and local communities to empower vulnerable people across London so they can make positive changes in their lives (www.hestia.org).

All money from the single download Stronger Than Before will go to Hestia, specifically its children and family projects which enable mothers and children affected by domestic violence to rebuild their lives. Hestia currently supports over 300 women with experience of domestic violence every year through a range of specialist domestic violence services across six London boroughs.

Hestia employs a specialist Women’s Services Group Manager, with many years’ experience working with women who have experienced

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

charity releases After listening to the song in its initial stages, Glen realised the presentation and quality of the video had to be of a high standard to match domestic violence. The Women’s Services group has its own dedicated emergency out of hours cover structure which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Choosing to work with an independent artist and release a charity single will not only provide financial support for Hestia’s work, but will help to raise the social profile of the charity and its services through music.

The charity single Stronger Than Before will be digitally distributed through various online music portals such as iTunes, Amazon MP3, Walmart, Spotify, MySpace Music and Zune and will only be available initially as a download, until the end of December.

To find out more about the campaign and how you can support please visit www.surianne.com.

Both charity singles will be available during the next few weeks, so make these tunes part of your Christmas playlists this season, and support the efforts of your local artists! ■

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 • DECEMBER 2010

51

calendar of events

What’s On December Thursday 2nd December Santa’s Grotto late night shopping & Christmas fair at Ocean Village Leisure Island 6-9.30pm.

Friday 3rd December Santos Productions presents Strong an original play

by Christain Santos, featuring monologues and songs about domestic violence, at Ince’s Hall 8pm. Tickets: £10 in aid of Women in Need on sale at Nature Shop, Casemates. For info contact Christian 58008448 Saturday 4th December Christmas Bazaar at Holy Trinity Cathedral 11am to 1pm. For info Tel: 20078377 or visit www.gibconnect. com/~holytrinity The Magic of Christmas Santa’s Grotto. Father Christmas will visit King’s Bastion Leisure Centre 4.30-6.30pm. Tickets: £3 & £5 may be purchased in advance from the Leisure Centre’s reception. (All children visiting Grotto will receive a special gift from Santa. Price of ticket determines value of gift).

Tuesday 7th December Quayside Christmas Market at Queensway Quay.

Christmas gifts, stocking fillers and cards for you to buy. Joy interactive children’s activities, mulled wine and minced pies. Performing on the day will be the National Choir. (All in support of local charities).

Thursday 9th December Santa’s Grotto, late night shopping and Christmas fair at Ocean Village Leisure Island 6-9.30pm.

The Magic of Christmas Santa’s Grotto. Father Christmas will visit the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre 4.30-6.30pm. Tickets: £3 & £5 may be purchased in advance from the Leisure Centre’s reception. (All children visiting Grotto will receive a special gift from Santa. Price of ticket determines value of gift).

Thursday 9th & Friday 10th December The Gibraltar Academy of Dance presents: “Oh Christmas Tree” at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre at 7.30pm. Tickets: £8 available from 1st December at John Mackintosh Hall ticket office For info Tel: 20079788 / 57292000 Thursday 9th & Friday 10th December 1st & 4th Gibraltar Scouts Christmas Gang Show at Ince’s Hall Theatre 7.30pm. Tickets: £5 every Tuesday and Wednesday from 5- 7pm. At HQ below Ince’s Hall theatre. For info Tel: 58009808 or email: allsafe@gibtelecom.net Friday 10th to 17th December Photographic Exhibition ‘Incredible India’. A photographic journey through Rajhastan by Prem Mahtani at Casemates Gallery 11am-1pm, 2-7pm.

Entrance free, all proceeds from sales donated to AKIN Charity.

52

Father Christmas has managed to schedule in several pre-Christmas visits to Gibraltar in December

Saturday 11th December Family Fun Christingle at the Holy Trinity Cathedral 5pm. For info Tel: 20078377 or visit www.gibconnect. com/~holytrinity The Magic of Christmas Santa’s Grotto. Father Christmas will visit the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre 4.30-6.30pm. Tickets: £3 & £5 may be purchased in advance from the Leisure Centre’s reception. (All children visiting the Grotto will receive a special gift from Santa. Price of ticket determines value of gift).

Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour meets George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am.

No fee but donations welcome. For info contact 20072639 Email: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi Tuesday 14th & Wednesday 15th December Tiny Tots Nursery – Christmas Show presents ‘Children of the World’ at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 6pm. Tickets: £5 available from Tiny Tots Nursery, Grand Parade. For info contact 20045895.

Wednesday 15th December Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Open Day (in aid of Local Charities) 9.30am to 6pm – Radio Road Show at the Piazza. Followed by a variety show live on GBC Television as from 9pm. For info contact GBC 20079760 or email: openday@gbc.gi Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th December Urban Dance Christmas Show ‘It’s the Season to be Jolly’ at Ince’s Hall Theatre 7pm. Tickets: £10 available from The Nature Shop, Casemates Square. For info Tel: 54012212 Thursday 16th December Santa’s Grotto, late night shopping and Christmas fair at Ocean Village Leisure Island 6-9.30pm.

The Magic of Christmas Santa’s Grotto. Father Christmas will visit the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre 4.30-6.30pm. Tickets: £3 & £5 may be purchased in advance from the Leisure Centre’s reception. (All children visiting the Grotto will receive a special gift

from Santa. Price of ticket determines value of gift).

Friday 17th December Ideal Productions Gibraltar Got Talent. For info Tel: 54028660/20050103 Saturday 18th December The Magic of Christmas Santa’s Grotto. Father Christmas will visit the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre 4.30-6.30pm. Tickets: £3 & £5 may be purchased in advance from the Leisure Centre’s reception. (All children visiting the Grotto will receive a special gift from Santa. Price of ticket determines value of gift).

Christmas Music and Carol Service at The Holy Trinity Cathedral. For info Tel: 20078377 or visit www. gibconnect.com/~holytrinity Thursday 23rd December The Magic of Christmas Santa’s Grotto. Father Christmas will visit the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre 4.30-6.30pm. Tickets: £3 & £5 may be purchased in advance from the Leisure Centre’s reception. (All children visiting the Grotto will receive a special gift from Santa. Price of ticket determines value of gift).

Santa’s Grotto, late night shopping and Christmas fair at Ocean Village Leisure Island 6-9.30pm. For info Tel: 20040048 Friday 24th December Christmas Eve Carols around the Christmas Tree from 4pm at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. For info Tel: 20078377 or visit www.gibconnect.com/~holytrinity Saturday 25th December Christmas Day. Sunday 26th December Traditional Boxing Day Polar Bear Swim at Catalan Bay. For further information, contact the Caleta Hotel Tel: 20076501 or email: sales@caletahotel.gi Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Polar Bear Swim at GASA swimming pool, 10 Europort Avenue 11am. For info contact 20072869

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

fashion

Archive editions of The Gibraltar Magazine now available online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com visit us online

54 City Mill Lane Tel/Fax: 200 45966 Email: sandra4stichdesign@yahoo.com

226 Main Street · Gibraltar · Telephone 200 48480

Shopping &Beauty

shopping & gifts

Sacha’s

shopping & gifts

hair & beauty

Renaissance

Health & Beauty Salon

Don House Arcade Tel: 20077311

• 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

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

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

84 Irish Town Tel: 200 71238

Gift Vouchers Available

Also Jewellery repairs, engraving, diamond setting, Jewellery appraisals

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

Tel: 200 73786

solid, silver dolphin charm £14

the silver shop horse barrack lane, gibraltar

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE • • DECEMBER DECEMBER 2010 2010

53 53

About a year ago, Kirsty wanted a change of direction in life, and decided to write one solo album, before moving to Hawaii. “So, I cut off the work and bands I was in and rented a cottage in the middle of nowhere and blanked out six months in my diary to create. I wrote Pure Blue Green in just two months, and uploaded songs as I wrote them onto my MySpace so my family and friends could listen to what I was doing. A manager in London heard my work, signed me up, and within six months of moving into that cottage I was signed to Decca Records. The album then took 12 days to record, and was released in less than a year to the day I was signed. All very, very fast,” Kirsty states.

But although the album was released in a short space of time, it has not been an overnight success or a “big break” for Kirsty. “I worked very hard for ten years at my trade and I am still working very hard today. Success is in every project that you do and no matter what level you get to there are still steps to go somewhere else. Getting signed to a major label was just the beginning of a very steep journey.”

Although she was born in the UK, and raised in Gibraltar, Kirsty lived all over the world as child due to her Dad’s work commitments — from Venezuela, to Singapore, and the Philippines to Brunei. She attended 19 schools in total, and was expelled from one of them — not

“

Photo by Karen McBride

I commissioned a 7ft wrought iron birdcage with a swing in it, with money I was given as an equipment budget

Pure Blue Green is in shops now

Kirsty Almeida’s Pure Blue Green

by Jolene Gomez

Described as the “Lady GaGa of Jazz”, Kirsty Almeida is currently storming the UK music scene, with a fresh and unique sound. “We have our own genre. The industry can’t describe what we do. It’s music. It’s all music. I guess the closest anyone has got to is to describe it as ‘Norah Jones does Sergeant Pepper’s’!”

54

”

bad at all.

But as the young-at-heart singer states “My childhood has just started. I learned very quickly to be old when I was a little girl, but without the wisdom, and as I grew up I learned to enjoy every moment. Now, I am so very childlike and each moment is a brand new discovery,” Kirsty smiles.

At the age of 17, Kirsty left Gibraltar for the possibilities of London, as she “wanted to see new things… I have always been fascinated by the art world and I wanted to find my place in it, so I left Gibraltar to find it and myself,” she states. She became an art student at Middlesex University, later moving to Leeds to study music at Bretton Hall. She then worked with Carnival Messiah (Handel’s Messiah performed in a carnival style), where she did everything, from lead singing, to PA, to costume designer, stage manager and choreography assistant.

But music was definitely her calling, and has always been her best friend. “I have always had a musical ear… Music is always like coming home for me. I moved a lot as a child and went to many schools, but music was at all of them, and it was just a place I never needed to try to fit in — I just spoke the right language,” Kirsty smiles.

In 2001, she moved to Manchester, and became a singer/songwriter touring with a Latin band, Descarga. Soon, she became the principal

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

Kirsty in her wrought iron wonder

singer and song-writer, and toured the UK theatre scene for three years. She describes Descarga as “a very fun band and the shows were always packed out full of dancers!”

But she also wanted to do her own take on Salsa and Latin American music, by taking the rhythms and styles and making it her own, “blending it with western song writing and Gibraltarian dialect, and so I wrote Llanita. It put me on the road for five years, and the album took us to lots of exciting places and we performed for all sorts of audiences. It’s a lovely album full of extremely talented and creative musicians. I learned so much from writing that album,” Kirsty smiles.

Nowadays, Kirsty brings her songs to life, accompanied by a rowdy seven-piece band, a huge bird cage, and lavishly colourfully decorated stage set. “I commissioned a 7ft wrought iron birdcage with a swing in it, with money I was given as an equipment budget by Decca, for amps, computers etc. I have no idea why I bought it at the time! I saw an artist’s work and really loved it so I had it made. Now, a year later, I am off on tour in the birdcage. Decca were a little confused when my manager put the invoice in though!”

Starting a band is fairly easy, she says, but it’s tough keeping it together! Like with everything in life, there are ups and downs, but throughout everyone involved has a passion

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

for music, and they do it for the love of music.

“I am a firm believer that the door should always be open and if people want to walk out of it, the door will still be open for the ones who want to be involved to walk in. I am very lucky though as I have a very strong team of people who help me to get the logistics organised and without that it would be impossible.”

Kirsty is influenced by the musicians surrounding her, and the billions before her time.

Conversations on the bus, the moon, the stars, world music, country music, classical and many, many other styles, musicians, people, and of course life itself, provide inspiration for the “birdcage diva” to deliver her sweet sound to the masses.

Playing at the Royal Albert Hall, jazz clubs in New York and Florida, and festivals such as G8 in Moscow in front of 38,000 people, Glastonbury, the Big Chill and many others, Kirsty

“

I write to be creative on my own, I play to enjoy music with others and I perform to share it

”

is no stranger to packed venues. In fact, this year she played a different festival every weekend from May to September! “Festivals are great to perform in. The audience is already warm and ready to have a great time and they are there because they really want to be, so it’s a joy, a dream come true for any musician as the sharing between the band and the audience is really elevated.”

She describes her greatest achievement as “managing to make a career and happy life out of my passions — music and art!” She writes all her songs, although sometimes she gets the lovely chance to work with others on songs.

There are no main themes or topics, other than life itself and dream worlds — “I write to be creative on my own, I play to enjoy music with others and I perform to share it.”

With regards to advice for anyone wanting to make it in the music business, “It’s all about the power of positivity and perseverance. There are no tricks. That’s it. Be as good as you can really be. Learn. Educate yourself about the business. Then be positive, share and ask for help and never ever give up. Change is always just a moment away,” Kirsty concludes.

For more information on Kirsty Almeida, please check out her MySpace and Facebook pages, www. myspace.com/almeidagirl and www.facebook.com/ kirstyalmeida. Pure Blue Green can be purchased from www.dejavoodu.co.uk n

55

gift ideas

Chocolate Santas!

The Association for Kids in Need (AKIN) is once again launching its Chocolate Santa Appeal in time for Christmas, but this year there is the addition of Chocolate Advent Calendars too!

All proceeds from the sale of these Christmas treats will go towards funding the refurbishment of a school in Sierra Leone. AKIN needs to raise at least £5,000 so all purchases welcome.

The chocolate Santa weighs in at 200 grams and is 25cm tall, and the advent calendars are 75 grams and 35cm tall) — and we are assured the chocolate taste just fabulous!

AKIN is selling the chocolate advent calendars for an amazing £1.50 and chocolate Santas are just £2.00 each — what a bargain, and all for a really good cause.

Contact Jimmy Bruzon Tel: 57631000. Or visit the AKIN charity website for details www. akincharity.org

Cruise Ship Schedule DECEMBER 2010

DOA

Vessel

ETA ETD Pass

Capacity From

To

Fri 03 Mon 06 Wed 08 Tue 14 Tue 21 Thu 23 Fri 24 Sat 25

Louis Majesty Coral Insignia Aurora MSC Splendida Costa Concordia Queen Victoria MSC Fantasia

0730 1200 0800 0800 1300 0700 1230 1300

1462 756 698 1975 3300 3800 2000 3300

Alicante Marseille Barcelona Tunis

Tangier Funchal Porto Grande Southampton

Lisbon Casablanca

Arrecife Malaga

1100 1700 1400 1330 2000 1300 1800 2000

Internat.

Internat.

American British Italian Italian Internat.

Italian

Total Number of Vessels calling this month = 8 Approximate Number of Passengers calling in this month = 17,291

C

Gibraltar’s Pollution Solution You might say you believe in saving the environment, but what do you really do about it?

Well now’s your chance to start the new year the right way: electric scooters are blissfully quiet and don’t emit any pollutants — great news in Gibraltar. No maintenance costs, no oil, no fuel. Simply recharge your battery by plugging it into an electrical socket and you’ll be ready to roll for the next 45km.

With easy to manage, light frames and maximum speeds of 45km per hour, these inexpensive, slim-line scooters are the latest trend for nipping around the Rock. Why not take a test drive and see for yourself?

Available for just £1,150.

Find out more at Hales Outdoors, ICC ground floor.

Tel: 58907000.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Day

Flight No. Airline

Arr.

GIBRALTAR DECEMBER 2010

From

Dep.

Flight No.

To

Mon

EZY8903 ZB068 ZB574 BA490

● easyJet

10.50 ● Monarch 11.10 ● Monarch 11.10 ● British Airways 11.50

Gatwick Luton Manchester Heathrow

11.20 11.55 11.55 12.50

EZY8904 ZB069 ZB575 BA491

Gatwick Luton Manchester Heathrow

Tue

EZY8903 ZB068 BA490

● easyJet

10.50 11.10 ● British Airways 11.50

Gatwick Luton Heathrow

11.20 11.55 12.50

EZY8904 ZB069 BA491

Gatwick Luton Heathrow

Wed

EZY8903 ZB068 ZB574 BA490

● easyJet

10.50 11.10 ● Monarch 11.10 ● British Airways 11.50

Gatwick Luton Manchester Heathrow

11.20 11.55 11.55 12.50

EZY8904 ZB069 ZB575 BA491

Gatwick Luton Manchester Heathrow

Thu

EZY8903 ZB068 BA490(a)

● easyJet

10.50 11.10 ● British Airways 11.50

Gatwick Luton Heathrow

11.20 11.55 12.50

EZY8904 ZB069 BA491(a)

Gatwick Luton Heathrow

Fri

EZY8903 ZB068(b) ZB574 BA490(c) ZB062(d)

● easyJet

Gatwick Luton Manchester Heathrow Luton

11.20 11.55 11.55 12.50 19.15

EZY8904 ZB069 ZB575(b) BA491(c) ZB575(d)

Gatwick Luton Manchester Heathrow Manchester

Sat

BA490(e) ● British Airways 11.50 EZY8903(e) ● easyJet 13.00

Heathrow Gatwick

12.50 13.35

BA491(e) Heathrow EZY8904(e) Gatwick

Sun

EZY8903(f) ● easyJet BA490 ● British Airways EZY8903(g) ● easyJet ZB062(h) ● Monarch ZB062(i) ● Monarch

Gatwick Heathrow Gatwick Luton Luton

12.00 12.50 16.35 19.15 21.10

EZY8904(f) BA491 EZY8904(g) ZB063(h) ZB063(i)

● Monarch

● Monarch

● Monarch

10.50 11.10 ● Monarch 11.10 ● British Airways 11.50 ● Monarch 18.30 ● Monarch

j

11.25 11.50 15.50 18.30 20.25

(a) Does not operate on 30 December (b) Does not operate on 24 December (c) Does not operate on 31 December (d) Operates on 24 December only (e) Does not operate on 25 December

Gatwick Heathrow Gatwick Luton Luton

(f) Operates from 12 December (g) Operates on 05 December only (h) Operates until 12 December (i) Operates from 19 December

Brian T Richards, Air Travel Consultant info@briantrichards.com www.briantrichards.com

56

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

gift ideas

Christmas Wishes...

Let’s face it... finding a beautiful, unusual and inexpensive gift at this time of year is near impossible.

Which is why when we found out about the Love Pearls which James is bringing into Sakata on Main Street during December we felt we had to tell you all about them.

Priced at just £12.00 these beautiful heart-shaped sterling silver pendants in a delicate “cage” design would be gift enough on their own, but each presentation box comes with a quite special extra... or rather two.

Inside each box, along with the pendant, is a can containing an oyster which the recipient opens — inside sits a beautiful freshwater pearl which can be easily placed into the pendant’s cage and worn as a very special piece of jewellery.

The added bonus is that a whole legend surrounds these pearls, which is explained in the booklet inside the box. Not only are

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

the pearls themselves considered to bestow gifts on the wearer (the colour of the pearl determines the gift — white for health, cream for success, peach for love, gold for wealth and lavender for wisdom), the person who removes it from its shell also gets to make one wish.

A major appeal of this unusual gift is the element of excitement as the recipient opens the oyster and is the first person to see the pearl and make a wish.

So many gifts in one... unique, beautiful and inexpensive. Get yours from Sakata, 92 Main Street, Gibraltar. Tel: 200 77240 Email: pearls@sakata.gi. n

57

our Governors A full and busy life, but paintbrushes, lightning rods and tourmaline aren’t everything.

Occasionally he took a break from all three, and on his rest days he found time to marry and produce a clutch of children. On their fourth child, a boy, he and Mrs Wilson bestowed the name Robert, and if not for him, the Gibraltar Magazine would not be concerned with Benjamin Wilson at all.

Robert Thomas Wilson, to give him his full name, was born in London on 17th August 1777, and with so many sevens in the date, his proud parents must have thought that he was destined for a life of good luck and fortune. Sadly, they were not destined to find out, for by the time the boy was 12, both were dead. Robert and his tragically orphaned siblings became wards of their uncle, William Bosville, who saw to it they got a decent education and learned how to doff their hats in polite society.

In spite of this, Robert must have had something of a wild, impetuous spirit. He met and fell in love with Jemima Belford, daughter of Colonel William Belford. Historians have paid scant attention to the Colonel and his lady, whose very name seems to have gone unrecorded, but we

He next turns up in Portugal, organising something called the Loyal Lusitanian Legion...

The Peninsular Wars were well underway, and Britain thought it would be useful to have allies, even if it had to invent them

Robert Thomas Wilson

Giving the Enemy L-L-L! Benjamin Wilson, who was born on one June day in 1721 and died on another June day in 1788, was a Renaissance man. A renowned artist who would toss aside his brushes and palette at the drop of a hat and offer his opinions, loudly and confidently, on the hot scientific topics of his day. He had a particular disdain for the views of Benjamin Franklin.

One prominent Benjamin was more than enough, and Franklin was an upstart colonial and therefore, by definition, wrong. The two men differed vigorously on the question of whether blunt or pointed lightning rods were better conductors of electricity. Franklin was a staunch pointie, Wilson an unshakeable bluntie. He also devoted much time to his experiments on the electrical properties of tourmaline — a multicoloured precious stone native to Sri Lanka.

58

must assume they were unimpressed by their daughter’s choice of intimate male companion.

We make this assumption because, far from celebrating their nuptials with a lavish wedding paid for by the bride’s proud father, the pair were forced to elope and marry in secret. There can be little doubt, on learning of Jemima’s mad adventure, the colonel, his lady, and the rest of the family snorted and declared loudly she was a fool, and it would never last. They were wrong.

Over the next 15 years, Jemima bore Robert no less than 13 children.

Her two fallow years may be attributed to the fact, despite the evidence, Robert was actually away from home quite a lot. Even before meeting and running away with his beloved Jemima, Robert had been earning himself something of a reputation as a soldier. When he was a mere stripling of 17, as an ensign in the 15th Light Dragoons, he found himself embroiled in a barmy escapade in the French Revolutionary Wars. Testosterone has much to answer for, but let’s see if we can make some sense of this.

The Austrian Lieutenant General Rudolf Ritter von Otto (a name worthy of John Cleese in full flight), should really have kept his nose out of French affairs, but got it into his head they

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

our Governors

by Dave Wood were threatening to take control of Landrecies.

Since Landrecies was in the north of France, they had a perfect right to seize control of it, but Rudolf, a soldier with lots of men under his control, thought otherwise. He took two squadrons of Hussars and two squadrons of Dragoons (including Robert Wilson) and closed in. He then learned his glorious leader, Emperor Francis II, was also in the area playing soldiers and, afraid he might be daft enough to get himself captured, decided to pre-empt that awful possibility by charging directly at the superior French troops. The moment they did so, the French moved adroitly aside to reveal a line of infantry kneeling menacingly behind a row of cannons. Mon Dieu! A trap!

The French burst into a peal of merciless laughter, but it was short-lived. They were laughing so much they forgot to fire their cannons, and what few rounds they did manage to discharge flew instantly into the gaps between the oncoming cavalry, or did irreparable damage to the trees. The combined Hussars and Dragoons easily overcame them. When the dust settled, a jubilant Rudolf asked where they were, and on being told the nearest village was Villersen-Cauchies, declared he and his men had just taken part in the battle of that name, and scored a famous victory. It was 24th April, 1794.

In 1801, still only 24 years old, Robert Wilson was made a Knight Bachelor, and in 1804 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in the 19th Light Dragoons.

When absorbed in his or her research, the historian (in the present writer ’s case the term is used lightly) often drifts into a kind of benumbed stupor from which he or she is suddenly roused by a word or a phrase that holds the promise of something, well, “interesting”.

This is such a moment in the life of Robert Thomas Wilson. We learn that in the wake of the Treaties of Tilsit, our man was expelled from Russia as a spy. A spy! This is more like it. Step aside Bond, James Bond. We are in the world of real-life skulduggery here.

Alas, as is all too often the case, the apparent mother lode of heart-thumping excitement peters out almost as soon as it is discovered. In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte, who was at height of his rampage across Europe, was at war (naturally) with Imperial Russia. After knocking the Russians decisively to the canvas at some place called Friedland, the victors and the vanquished met in the town of Tilsit and signed a couple of treaties. Quill was first put to paper on 7th July,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

and subsequently, after the inkwells had been refilled, on 9th July. It was agreed to let bygones be bygones, to be best mates again, and to join forces to beat up the next nation whose name was drawn from Napoleon’s hat.

Somehow or other Robert Wilson, who had been lurking in the shrubbery taking notes, was unmasked as a spy and summarily expelled from the country. Our curiosity is instantly piqued. What was Wilson doing in Russia?

Who had sent him there? Was he wearing a false beard and masquerading as a peasant farmer coming to market to sell a cow? Was he licensed to kill?

Classified information, I’m afraid, and two centuries later it appears to remain so. We are still holding our breaths waiting for the other shoe to drop. In any case, since spies were generally strung up or shot, we may assume he wasn’t really much of a spy at all. He got away with a boot up the backside, and the confiscation of his notebook. Even Ian Fleming couldn’t make much of a tale out of that.

He next turns up in Portugal, organising something called the Loyal Lusitanian Legion ­— an interesting early example of the use of alliteration in snappy product naming. They probably had a snappy slogan too — “We’ll give the enemy L-L-L!” The Peninsular Wars were well underway, and Britain thought it would be useful to have allies, even if it had to invent them. In January 1809, the British decided to retreat, or in military parlance make “a strategic withdrawal”, from the Iberian Peninsula. Wilson, taking his cue from Admiral Nelson, turned a deaf ear to his orders and decided to stand

They stopped firing but for his pains he was dismissed from the army....

Apparently, dismissal from the army was no barrier to promotion, since he was made a lieutenantgeneral in 1830, and a full general in 1841

his ground with his Portuguese troops and do what he could to harass and annoy the French who were commanded by a certain General Pierre Belon Lapisse, a name almost designed by fate to hand irreverent future chroniclers a cornucopia of opportunities to make off-colour quips. The present writer abhors the shooting of fish in barrels, and will refrain.

Wilson’s remorseless harrying of Lapisse and his men apparently convinced the Frenchman he was facing a far larger army than the 1200 Portuguese who were making nuisances of themselves, and instantly switched from attack to defence mode. Indeed, Wilson’s Portuguese platoons lent invaluable support to Arthur Wellesley, better known today as the Duke of Wellington, when he arrived in Spain to take control of the action. But it was not all plain sailing. On 12th August, 1809, while his friends back in England were out on the moors shooting grouse, he and the 4000 men under his command engaged the French in battle at a spot called Puerto de Baños. Okay — the French general, Michel Ney, had three times as many men, but by this time Wilson was drunk with success and considered that nothing short of a fair fight. A tenth of his men had to die to prove him wrong.

Nevertheless, he retained command of the Portuguese battalions for another three years.

In 1812, he boldly returned to Russia as a “liaison officer”. His spying activities, so rudely interrupted five years before, now resumed and it is impossible not to detect a degree of schadenfreude in his reporting of Napoleon’s humiliating retreat, and especially his drubbing at the Battle of Krasnoye, at which Wilson was present.

Back in England in 1818 he became MP for Southwark. Three years later, when troops fired shots above the heads of an unruly mob at the funeral of Queen Caroline, the ill-used wife of George IV, he stepped forward and told them they should be ashamed of themselves.

They stopped firing, but for his pains he was dismissed from the army.

Apparently, dismissal from the army was no barrier to promotion, since he was made a lieutenant-general in 1830, and a full general in 1841.

In 1842 the ultimate accolade. He became Governor of Gibraltar. He remained in office until December 1848, but his health was failing.

He died just five months later, on 9th May 1849, perhaps vowing to give St Peter L-L-L! n

59

When they reached the Frontier, shots were being fired in the air to control the crowds.

“There must have been about 100 people trying to get through the gates, people speaking in Spanish and English. My sister held on to me but, when she pushed her way to the gates with me behind her, a man came between us separating us forcibly. My mother and sister reached the gates and crossed over but I was left behind. Till this day I can see the horrified face of my mother as she saw what had happened but thankfully someone lifted me over the gate and a soldier from the Black Watch snatched me and passed me to my mother.”

Life in Gibraltar continued with more or less normality and Joe integrated well into the community. Life in the ’50s was different to today, the things our youth have now were only dreams then, but Joe looks back on his young adult life with fond memories.

“We were very law-abiding citizens then, and a serious lot too, so you could find us in earnest discussion about philosophy and other interesting subjects. We worked hard and kept to our kind. Although life was hard in many ways and we had few material possessions, I yearn

“

I saw a man pushed out from a house... with blood on his chest and shaking violently. At the time I did not know he was dying

Joe Ochello Retiring with a big smile Married for many years to the woman of his dreams by the name of Elsie, it is no wonder love has played an important role in keeping Joe Ochello’s philosophy of life positive.

As a young boy Joe lived with his Gibraltarian parents in La Linea. “My mother gave birth to eight children,” he explains. “Those were days of deprivation. My father, a labourer unable to find work, spent his time in Gibraltar looking for work. Many days he brought nothing back so I had to go to the soup kitchen to eat. One day I arrived late and I was told there was no more food and I was devastated and left crying most of the way home!”

At the start of the Spanish Civil War, when the Frontier closed, Joe’s father and two of his older brothers were left in Gibraltar while his mother and other siblings were on the other side of the

60

fence, in Spain.

“Early one morning my patio was invaded by Moorish soldiers with long muskets. An officer spoke to my mother and instructed her to take us back to Gibraltar,” he recalls. “She tore the bed sheets into pieces and gave us one each to hold above our heads as we walked along the streets on the way to the Frontier. This was not a normal walk. There were shouts coming from the houses, shots were being fired as we passed and I saw a man pushed out from a house and knocked onto the ground with blood on his chest and shaking violently. At the time I did not know he was dying.”

”

for those days because I recall the lovely times we had within our music niche. We were very musically minded and our lives were filled with Italian, Mexican and Spanish songs. Some of us younger ones took to acting, others to dancing and even to writing poetry. The Theatre Royal was the centre of these activities, as were the Serenades along the streets at night — we were a romantic bunch!”

Joe’s future wife Elsie was a fabulous singer and when she was just a teenager, 13 or 14 years old, she started singing at public events and the audience loved her. She had great stage presence and was a delight to watch. Joe also had a great voice and was very good looking too — they made a dashing couple and still do. They met when Joe was asked to serenade a her.

“I sang outside her house and then we were invited to a drink, it was then we saw each other closely and it was love at first sight. This was the start of 56 years together,” he smiles. “As a duo we sang and became very popular and when we won the first prize in a musical competition called Fiesta en el Aire held in the Assembly Rooms it all escalated. Together with other local well known musicians, like Nevill Chipolina, Luis Bruzon and Luis Hathaway, we decided to start a group called Los Romanceros.”

The group was hugely successful and is remembered today by many of this generation.

The group continued to expand and welcomed other musicians who were also a great asset — Boris Almeida, Peter Cardona and Joe Caruana.

“Los Romanceros decided we would only sing for charitable events, except when we sang in Spain, and I’m proud to say we sang on Television Espanola when it was in Prado Del Rey GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

interview by Sonia Golt in Madrid and the popular radio programme Cabalgata fin the semana. Both were very successful moments in our musical experience.”

The prestigious TV programme was watched

by General Franco and Joe tells an anecdote from the day they were on the show.

“The night we sang on television (one must remember that in those days television was censored) we were told General Franco would be watching and therefore my wife could not wear the off-the-shoulder dress she had on...

She was asked to cover her shoulders, and we were also prohibited from singing Cuando pasas caminando con tus curvas ensenando because the word ‘curvas’ could offend the General.”

The romanticism of those years, their group and their singing, stayed within Joe and he is still writing poetry which could easily be turned into lyrics.

“I’ve retired at the young age of 79 after having started work at the age of 13... but I am very happy to have led my life this way. I now have time to take walks, enjoy the sunset and meditate by reminiscing of past days. I do not believe staying at home is an option for retired people, but then again walking up and down Main Street means talking to others of the same age who dwell upon their ailments and this type of conversation surely deprives us of being positive and enjoying whatever years we have left.

We all know death is on the agenda but why hurry forward towards it by complaining when we can take Dr John Hagelin’s comments, ‘Our body is really the product of our thoughts’, and live a better life?”

May Joe and Elsie continue to be the happy couple they have always been — and let’s hope they still have time to sing a song from time to time. Talent like theirs should be shared even if it is now only by the neighbours! ■

profile

“

We were very musically minded. There were the Serenades along the streets at night — we were a romantic bunch!

”

Left: Joe the executive.

Right: Joe ready to sing his Rancheras — Mexican songs.

Below: Joe in his modelling days

O Young and Pensive Mind O Young and pensive mind O flowing heart be still Think not the malice of your thoughts But ask the gift to understand The grace of getting old.

In vain we ask for your good will For those who have short time to live We pray serene will be their days With no reproach with no distress Think of tomorrow when you’ll be there For no one stays so young and fair And when you suffer too You’ll see how hard it is for you Our youth has gone and sorrow labours to prevail Yet freedom will repair our grief and pain When death reveals our peaceful rest For when we die a library burns That wisdom lost will not return Superfluous days which gave you gifts When old you’re told Not yours to keep But when you need I’ll give to you to take and keep Internally And that is love My Godly gift… a poem by Joe Ochello GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

61

behind the scenes

Showzam!...

Behind the scenes at the spectacular Showzam! production which took place at the John Mackintosh Hall in November. If you missed this quite amazing show, full of magic, humour flying knives and disappearing girls, don’t despair... GBC have filmed the whole high-class international production and will be showing it locally before Christmas. Keep an eye on TV schedules and prepare to be truly amazed... n

62

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

photo by Christian Steiner

music scene

Robert Sims

Christmas Spirituals

Alison Buchanan

The Gibraltar Philarmonic Society will be hosting a special “Christmas Spirituals” concert at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on 20th December 2010.

The Christmas Spirituals concert will feature the stunning vocals of Robert Sims, baritone, and Alison Buchanan, soprano, with Paul Hamilton on the piano. Robert Sims (pictured above), is a Gold Medal winner of the American Traditions Competition and has been highly praised for his moving interpretations of African American spirituals. He has given numerous recitals throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.

This will be truly a Christmas experience not to be missed.

Ticket priced £20.00 for general public and £10.00 for senior citizens and students, are available from Sacarello’s Coffe Shop, Irish Town; The Silver Shop, 222 Main Street and the John Macintosh Hall, Main Street.

Make sure you get yours early. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

63

health risks

Testicular Disease

Men are as important as women!

by Mr D Deardon MD, FRCS. Consultant Surgeon Specialist Medical Clinic

Although rare, testicular diseases can be painful happily most testicular disease is usually not serious.

Occasionally, however, it can be life threatening and it is important to see a doctor for any testicular pain or any change in your testicles, such as a lump or firmness.

Obviously testicular cancer is the most serious form of testicular disease and is the most common cancer in men aged 18 to 35. Approximately 2,100 men will develop the disease in the UK this year which accounts for about one per cent of cancer in men. These days the disease is usually curable and 95% of men survive testicular cancer. Risk factors for testicular cancer include a previous history of testicular cancer, undescended testicle as a child and having a close

64

Even after it has spread, testicular cancer is usually curable. The best chances for cure are when the cancer is detected and treated early

relative with testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers. Even after it has spread, testicular cancer is usually curable.

The best chances for cure are when the cancer is detected and treated early. The disease is treated according to the tumour type and how far it has spread. If it has not spread from the testicle the disease can be cured by surgical removal of the testicle. If however there is spread outside the testicle treatments may include removal of the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

men’s health lymph nodes, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the three.

Whilst testicular cancer is the most serious disease we have to consider, other conditions can present with pain or a lump in the scrotum.

The advice is the same as that for women and breast disease ­­— get it checked!

Epididymitis is a painful condition arising from inflammation in the tubular structure next to the testicle where sperm mature (Epididymis).

Unprotected sex or having multiple sex partners increases the risk of infectious epididymitis which can be extremely uncomfortable and may be associated with fever and swelling.

The condition is also associated with prostate enlargement, urinary flow restriction and occasionally following vasectomy. Epididymitis is usually treated successfully with antibiotics and anti-inflammation medications. Bed rest, pain medications, athletic scrotal supports and ice packs on the scrotum may help more severe cases. The pain can resolve very slowly, sometimes taking weeks or months.

As many as one out of every five men has a varicocoele which is a dilation of the veins above the testicle and is usually harmless. Occasionally, however, varicocoeles can impair fertility (by increasing the temperature in the testicles) or cause mild to moderate pain. If you have a bulge above your testicle, especially when you’re standing or “bearing down”, a doctor should examine you. Varicocoeles don’t normally require treatment but for men who have impaired fertility or dragging pain treatment is available. This usually involves minor micro

surgery to ligate the dilated veins.

Sometimes men develop painless swelling of the scrotum. Usually this is a hydrocoele which is simply a benign fluid collection surrounding the testicle. However these can become large and can cause pain or pressure. Though men can develop a hydrocoele after injury, the majority of men with hydrocoeles have no trauma history or known cause. Occasionally they are associated with more serious disease and thus it is advisable to have them checked out and if very large or causing pain, surgery will usually correct the problem.

The most serious acute condition of the testis is torsion. “Torsion” means twisting — and for a

Whilst testicular cancer is the most serious disease we have to consider, other conditions can present with pain or a lump in the scrotum. The advice is the same as that for women and breast disease ­­— get it checked!

testicle, that’s not a good thing. When this occurs in a testicle, the twisting blocks the blood vessels to the testicle which becomes very painful and can die if treatment is not given quickly.

Certain men have a developmental problem that makes them susceptible to testicular torsion and although the condition is rare, testicular torsion is a true medical emergency. If caught in time, the affected testicle can be saved. An emergency operation is usually required to “untwist” the testicle and to prevent it from happening again.

Sometimes the other side is fixed as well.

Lastly hernias can sometimes be mistaken for testicular disease and can occur when part of the intestine bulges through the lower part of the abdominal wall muscles and down into the scrotum. This is called an indirect inguinal hernia and occurs because the testicle weakens the abdominal wall as it passes into the scrotum during embryonic development. The solution is a keyhole operation to mend the weak part of the abdominal wall.

Unfortunately there is no proven way to prevent testicular cancer. This is why early detection is so important and it is recommend that all young men perform a testicular self-examination monthly. Furthermore, varicocoeles, hydrocoeles or testicular torsion are not really preventable, however the risk of developing epididymitis can be reduced by practicing safe sex and avoiding heavy lifting or straining with a full bladder. So, even if you’re embarrassed, delaying an evaluation of a scrotal swelling or pain could be a mistake and simply is not worth the risk. n

E

NEW

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

VIC SER

65

health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

McTimoney Chiropractor

Your Family Chemists

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

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

CHEMISTS

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

PASSANO OPTICIANS LTD

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

Tel: 200 44797

British Registered Optometrists

Chiropodists

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

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

ChiropraCtors STEINER CHIROPRACTIC CLINICS

Chiropractic Health Clinic

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc DC

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

Member of the British Chiropractic Association

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

College Clinic, Regal Hse. Tel: 200 77777

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

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

Tel: 200 44226 Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA McTimoney Chiropractor, Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Flr, 58 Main St Tel: 200 41733 After hours: 200 40026 Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc, DC Steiner Chiropractic Clinics, College Clinic, Regal Hse Tel: 200 77777

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

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

PERSONAL TRAINERS

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?

7 days a week 6-10pm

64 66 what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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

Physicians

Dr Norbert V Borge FRCP (London) 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel/Fax: 200 75790 Specialist Medical Centre Unit F7 ICC Casemates Square Tel: 200 49999 Fax: 200 49999 Email: info@smg.gi www.smg.gi

Psychologist

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

SPECIALISTS

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

health

Dr Hauschka in the Town Peri Martin’s Renaissance Beauty Salon is gearing up for the festive season with some great new treatments and offers.

She has recently returned from England after attending Elysia’s Training Centre in the heart of the Worcestershire country side. There

she learned the new Dr Hauschka back cleansing treatment, which she describes as “a very relaxing treatment with warm lavender and

lemon compresses applied alongside the pure Dr Hauschka products.” This fabulous new treatment is now available and is an ideal pre party ritual to cleanse and nourish the back, which will be on show again with party dresses very much in vogue this festive month!

The salon is centrally located at the Casemates end of Main Street in Don House Arcade, next to the Bread Bin. And Peri, a former teacher, must be doing something right as earlier this year Renaissance celebrated its tenth anniversary with a fund raising event for Breast Cancer Awareness in Corks.

A full range of treatments is on offer and Peri is the most experienced Dr Hauscka esthetician on the Rock and is happy discuss clients’ individual needs from the extensive range of products available.

In addition gift vouchers are available either by calling in personally, telephoning her on 200 77311 or via email, on perimartin@ hotmail.com.

Renaissance is normally closed on a Monday but recently Peri enthuses “I have been delighted to introduce Helen Dring into the salon. Helen is an amazing reflexologist and is proving to be incredibly popular with my clients. She trained in Dublin, belongs to the Association of Reflexologists and has built up an impressive level of expertise and experience over the last 10 years.”

If you are looking for something different for yourself or a loved one this Christmas and New Year why not give Renaissance a call, or if you are interested to know more about Dr Hauschka’s award winning natural salon products visit their website: www.drhauschka. co.uk ■

UNESCO Anti-Doping in Sport From 1st November 2010 the UNESCO International Convention on Anti-Doping in Sport has been extended to Gibraltar.

To meet the requirements of the Convention and the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) Gibraltar has designated the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority as our National AntiDoping Organisation. A Gibraltar Anti-Doping Policy Document has been compiled based on the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

current requisites of the UNESCO Convention and WADA and will be followed by a detailed document specifying Gibraltar’s Anti-Doping Rules.

Copies will be given to all registered sports associations at a meeting to be called for this purpose.

Government considers inclusion in the UNESCO International Convention on Anti-Doping in Sport is a very important step in establishing Gibraltar fully in the world of sport and ensuring we meet all our international obligations. ■

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

67

baby massage

a touch of love

by Kristin Mortensen

No words can describe the love a parent has for their child. Ten little fingers and ten little toes, a bundle of joy awaits the comfort of his parent. He lies sprawled out on his back, feet in the air as she gently massages his arms and legs. He looks her in the eyes and smiles back at her as if to tell her he’s content.

Baby massage is a bonding experience that can be rewarding both physically and emotionally.

Geeta Cunningham is qualified in anatomy and physiology and works as a massage therapist specialising in body massage, pregnancy massage, aromatherapy and reflexology.

This September, Geeta decided to further her education by becoming certified to give baby massages. She attended a two-day workshop in London that taught her the techniques necessary to give a proper baby massage. The course consisted of a combination of case studies and a final exam at the end.

“Having two children of my own inspired me to take this course because I wanted to

68

Not only are massages beneficial to the baby, but the one-on-one socialising creates a strong bond between the parent and the baby

give them the benefits of baby massage and it seemed like a natural progression since I already am certified to do other massages,” Geeta says.

Baby massages have a wide range of benefits for the baby and parent alike. They are proven to help with the digestive tract and eliminate tummy aches that many babies are prone to.

The touch of the parent’s fingers stimulates bodily systems by improving circulation, strengthening respiratory system, and stimulating the nervous system. The rubbing motion releases tension and, as a result, promotes

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

parenting better sleeping habits and reduces colic and trapped wind.

Not only are baby massages beneficial to the baby, but the one-on-one socialising creates a strong bond between the parent and the baby.

From a young age, the parents and the baby develop a way of communicating to each other. It reduces stress on both the parent and the baby, which can alleviate postnatal depression.

“The most rewarding part of teaching baby massage is seeing the parent and baby interact with each other,” Geeta says. “It is a time when they can relax and do something together that has lots of wonderful benefits.”

There’s no need for dads to feel left out because they too, can enjoy the deep connection that baby massage brings. Over the years, fathers have become more involved in the family life and taken a prevalent role in raising children. A father’s touch differs from the mother’s thus creating complementary benefits. So even though the dad doesn’t get to be close to his child through the breastfeeding experience, massage bridges that gap and solidifies a deep bond.

Babies can be massaged from the time they are born to right before they start walking.

There is no limit how many times you massage your baby, and studies prove that it is beneficial to massage your baby once a day.

The best thing is to make incorporate baby massage into your daily routine at a set time so that you don’t miss out on giving your baby the love and affection it deserves. The ideal time to massage your baby is right after bath time because this is the time baby is most

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

relaxed.

Although baby massage has been an integral part of parenting in several African, Indian and South Pacific cultures, it is a relatively new concept in the modern western civilization.

Baby massage is an ancient art that has been passed down from mother to daughter for many generations. Historical accounts dating back as long as 3,000 years ago show that the concept of baby massage has been around for a long time. The word ‘massage’ derives from the Arabic word meaning ‘to stroke.’

Through massage, parents can communicate with their baby and learn to understand his or her positive and negative emotions before the baby can even talk.

Baby massage is a bonding experience which lasts a lifetime. n

Gentle Communication...

Take your relationship with your baby to the next level by enrolling in a baby massage class. Geeta offers one-on-one classes that give hands-on instructions on how to massage each body part of your baby. Weekend group sessions are also available for up to six people, which is ideal for the working parents.

Geeta Cunningham

When: Once a month (check web site for class times) Time: 11.30-13.00 Where: King’s Bastion Leisure Centre Price: £15 per session Tel: 200 60488 or 540 05746 Website: natural-blend.com Baby massages are the perfect gift idea this holiday season—gift vouchers are now available. n

69

Francheska Benyunes:

Photography: Jayden Fa (www.jaydenfa.carbonmade.com) Art Direction: Guy Baglietto Hair Stylist: Christel Mifsud Models: Maxine De La Rosa & Hannah Bado

Creativity in every stroke ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and look our best at the many dinners, lunches and get-togethers we all need to attend. So if you want a different look, perhaps something a bit more daring for a dinner, or even a natural look for a Christmas lunch, beauty therapist and make-up artist Francheska Anne Benyunes has palettes upon palettes of colour, personal flair and vivid imagination.

Francheska started her training in Cindy’s Beauty Therapy Academy for a year after some encouragement from her mum and sister, who have always helped and supported her, and have even been her guinea pigs!

With an interest in fashion and make-up, and help from her grandmother, she was able to take on this intensive course, which provided the stepping-stone into the world of fashion and beauty. “I was told I would travel the world and have the possibility of working in cruise liners, and top spa’s, which was an idea which appealed to me at the time, and something I had always wanted to do.”

From beauty therapy, to body and facial electricals, and anatomy to physiology, the course covered every aspect which Francheska required, and provided her with the opportunity

“

to obtain ITEC and Cidesco internationally recognised diplomas.

After an interview with Steiner in the hotel Melia Benidorm, Francheska was posted to Watford, UK, to the Steiner Training Academy, where she would complete her training. The academy caters for all cruise lines, as they recruit staff for the Spas on board.

“The training is very intense. The clients you deal with need 100% satisfaction guaranteed and the people who work for Steiner are top therapists from around the world, who have worked on cruise ships for more than ten years. Every morning at 5am I would need to get ready for college, fully groomed and in full make-up, to be inspected by the teachers and lecturers. Appearance was everything,” Francheska explains.

At the Steiner Academy, Francheska had to obtain her Elemis, La Therapie Paris and Ionothermie qualifications, along with a Norwegian Seamans Certificate, which made her eligible to sail around the world.

Due to her fun, outgoing and bubbly per-

Every morning at 5am I would need to get ready for college, fully groomed and in full makeup, to be inspected by the teachers and lecturers. Appearance was everything 70

”

Francheska ready to greet you with a smile

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

by Jolene Gomez sonality, she was posted to work with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. “Each cruise liner has a different market, and as I’m quite loud and charismatic, I was an ideal candidate for Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean.” Her journey began in London, onto Philadelphia and finally Puerto Rico, where she boarded her ship. She became the onboard aesthetician and faciallist, accompanied by a team of 28 therapists. As she spoke English and Spanish, Francheska sailed the East and West Caribbean.

Although it was intense, she eventually got into the rhythm of life on the ship. Every six days, which was the turnover day on board, she would need to meet her sales targets, often obtaining the highest target in the whole spa!

Unfortunately, she did not see one Gibraltarian during her time on the cruise liner, however she did manage to obtain hundreds of dollars in tips from high profile individuals, and met the mother of a tattoo artist from Miami Ink. During her time on the cruise liner, however, Francheska felt isolated from the rest of the world, so she decided to surprise her family and return home, after a long trip from Curacao to Dominican Republic, via Madrid to Gibraltar. But after a week, and on her 20th birthday, she felt she couldn’t stay, and she applied to various spas around the world, which directed her to Cyprus. “Training at the Steiner Training Academy, and working on cruise liners make you highly employable, as you are used to working long hours under pressure.”

The job in Cyprus offered accommodation, included rent, water and electricity plus commission and tips, and with only three minutes from Ayia Napa, what more could a 20 year old want! “When I got there everything was very new and foreign to me. I had a chauffeur waiting for me, who took me food shopping and into my four bedroom apartment — it was bliss!”

Aside from experiencing the Cypriote culture, which she describes as similar to the Gibraltarian one, it was all a learning curve for Francheska, and in the spa she received training from highly prestigious firms, including

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

“

Francheska at work

If you are enthusiastic and passionate about the beauty industry, then go for it

”

She lives by GOSH cosmetics, MAC, Yves Saint Laurent, Estee Lauder and Chanel, and an extensive collection of eye brushes, which add colour and imagination with every stroke.

She would love to open a day spa in Gibraltar, which tourists and locals can enjoy, and eventually open a beauty school, to offer training for future make-up artists and beauty therapists.

“If you are enthusiastic and passionate about the beauty industry, then go for it. It is not just about waxing and pedicures like most people think, there is the study of anatomy, physiology, skin, organs and muscles, as you need to know everything about the body. The beauty industry is booming at the moment, and with determination, drive, flair and personality, it will give you opportunities to travel all over the world – remember people all over the world want to look good and be pampered!” n

La Prairie Switzerland, Sothy’s Paris, Matisse, Bernard Cassiere, Simone Mahler, and Thalgo.

“My boss had set up the spa and boutique, with huge selection of make-up. When we were not busy and I was on duty at the boutique, I would try out the different make-up and experiment. A client came in one day with a make-up request and I gave it a try. From there, word was spreading around Paralimnia and Dherynia about the new make-up artist in town,” Francheska smiles. With so many palettes, colours and possibilities, the world was For information, you can contact her via her Faceher oyster. book page: Make Up By Francheska, Tel: 54020314 After working there for nine months, she de- or email francheskab@hotmail.com cided to return to Gibraltar with her younger sister who had spent six months enjoying life in Cyprus too. Francheska started uploading pictures of family and friends with her make up creations on Facebook, and it was the hit.

Soon everyone was commenting on her work, and she created a Facebook group for her fans.

“Suddenly I was getting phone calls for makeup requests nearly every weekend. Women of all ages would come in for weddings, baptisms and other events, and soon they wanted me to do facials, waxing and other treatments. The feedback has always been positive and I have not looked back since. I love doing what I do and love when people leave with a smile on their face. It’s satisfying.”

She mentions Caroline Barnes, Terry Barber and Val Garland as make-up artists who inspire her, but it is local artist Deepak Ramchamdani who has really inspired and encouraged her.

“I believe he has really spiced up make-up in Gibraltar, and I love his work. He is brilliant and I have much respect for him. He always gives me good advice and has encouraged me to keep on practising and working.”

71

puzzle page

by Alan Gravett

SUDOKU

Across

1) Climbing apparatus of hempen cord usually

found aboard a ship (4,6) 6) Unit of square measure; city in Israel (4) 10) Slow learner (5) 11) and 22) Dickens novel featuring Ebenezer

Scrooge (9,5) 12) Traditional ingredient of turkey stuffing (8) 13) Item of value (5) 15) Absence of government (7) 17) Product which yields great profit (4,3) 19) Italian city, capital of Sicily (7) 21) Part of a cricket match (7) 22) see 11) 24) Of particular merit (8) 27) Italian female lover (9) 28) Obsession (5) 29) Legal affirmation; curse (4) 30) Mediterranean resort famed for its casino (5,5)

Win a lunch for two at

The Cannon Bar

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

One entry per person.

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

Down

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

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

One entry per person.

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

Last month’s winner: Karen Torres, Harbour Views LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Absconding, Whirr, Persian, Leisure, Eiger, Infest, Limpid, Gamer, Ceramic, Origami, Blind, Armageddon Down: Bailiff, Corfu, Nipper, Israel, Going, Introduced, Wellington, Sarcasm, Pimlico, Acting, Moira, Rabid

72

1) Indecent; primitive; impolite (4) 2) Piece of equipment found in a boxing gym (9) 3) City of Yorkshire of castle in Kent (5) 4) Proper behaviour (7) 5) Variable; inconsistent (7) 7) French author Albert ----- (5) 8) From Marbella to Gibraltar, for example (4,2,4) 9) Hired killer (8) 14) Frothy Italian coffee (10) 16) Set of bells usually hung in a tower (8) 18) Vat or urn etc. (9) 20) Popular herb (7) 21) Transfer into; embed (7) 23) What to do to a turkey after stuffing (5) 25) Joker; cartoon magazine (5) 26) Ring of light indicating saintliness (4)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

update

A Liberal Europe Euro-MP Graham Watson has published a new book, Building a Liberal Europe (John Harper Publishing), in which he recounts first hand experiences of battles fought at EU level on behalf of the Rock.

Between 2002 and 2009 Watson led the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament, and has represented Gibraltar since 2004.

He commented: “It is an honour to represent Gibraltar in the European Parliament. The more I get to know the place and the people, the more determined I am to stand up to the Rock’s powerful neighbours. Building a Liberal Europe tells of a few ‘dust-ups’ I have already had on behalf of Gibraltar, but I daresay there are more to come!”

Highlights include the battle to ensure the rights of disabled passengers at Gibraltar Airport, and a ferocious parliamentary exchange between Watson and two Spanish Partido Popular MEPs over the sinking of the New Flame in 2008.

He also takes a light-hearted look at the football match between Liberal MEPs and the Gibraltar football association that he organised to raise awareness of the Rock’s exclusion from UEFA.

However, Watson does not spare from criticism a ‘petulant’ Peter Caruana, who attempted to belittle Liberal efforts in a “sarcastic” speech at a dinner he hosted for the visiting Liberal MEPs.

‘Building a Liberal Europe’ is available to purchase now from Turpin Distribution Ltd for £20 (including delivery). Tel: +44 1767 604 951 or email custserv@turpindistribution.com.

Fall of a Sparrow launched Well-known local authors, Sam Benady and Mary Chiappe, have been at it again with another book just in time for the festive season.

A book launch for their new book, Fall of a Sparrow, was held in November and the book is now available at bookshops in Gibraltar.

Fall of a Sparrow is a mystery set during the Great Siege of Gibraltar which recounts 18 year old Giovanni Bresciano’s first case, trying to prove attempted murder in the garrison.

Both Sam and Mary have several individual published works, and recently came together to write their first joint book The Murder in

Whirligig Lane. With such a great response from readers, Sam and Mary decided to keep going and release their second fiction collaboration, Fall of a Sparrow.

This exciting novel is a must-read and the suspense will lure you in one page at a time!

Sam and Mary with be holding a book signing session at Corks on Irish Town on Friday 3rd December from 11am to 1pm.

GibDFAS Lecture - 15th December Eliott Hotel 6.30pm

Royal Collection Treasures From Henry VIII To Elizabeth II The Royal Collection contains over 485,000 objects collected by the Royal Family for more than 500 years and is a credit to George III, patron of the arts and discerning art collector. It includes paintings by Van Dyke, Rembrandt and Canaletto, drawings by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, miniatures, sculpture, porcelain, Faberge eggs, the Cullinan diamond and items of gold and silver.

This lecture, with its glowing colour slides, has been likened to a tour of the Queen’s Library, where she shows these treasures and curiosities to her guests after dinner.

The speaker, Oliver Everett, was Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales, 1978/80, Private Secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales, 1981/83, Librarian, Royal Library and Windsor Castle, 1984/2002.

Picture: the Queen’s Gallery

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

73

That Nail Place

GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

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

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

E6

Gel - Acrylic - Fibreglass

I4

Airbrushing Nail Art Body Jewellery

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

T5

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

L4

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

H4

Q4

P2

BUDDIES pasta casa

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

R4

15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

Gibraltar Taxi Association

D8

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

X6

K8

K4

Sacha’s

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

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

Quality Kitchen Ware Gibraltar’s Best Stocked Cook Shop K5

The Takeway with a difference.

Homecooking . our speciality .

Open Monday

M5 to Saturday

46 Irish Town Tel: 200 75188 Fax: 200 72653

the silver shop

for beautiful silver jewellery & gifts

C6 J4

2 locations in gibraltar 222 main street • horse barrack lane

G3

N3

R5

M4

M4

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

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

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

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

Z6

Q5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

03

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

SMITH’S

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

295 MAIN ST Tel: 200 74254

226 Main Street · Gibraltar · Telephone 200 48480

Irish Town Antiques

L5

Irish Town Tel: 200 70411

K5

Q5

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

Z6

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

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

hobbies&pastimes

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

photography

leisure & tuition

lessons&tuition

GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

leisure&sport

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

travel&hotels

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

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

newsagents/books

Gibraltar Connections

by Reg Reynolds

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

Available at book shops and newsagents throughout Gibraltar

The Flowers of Gibraltar

by Leslie Linares, Arthur Harper and John Cortes

Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops

76 76

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • APRIL 2009

book launch

Historical novels in the making

by Sonia Golt

As Gibraltarians we have a diverse ancestry as our forefathers came from different places to create a life and a family in Gibraltar. Our culture is brought to the forefront by local authors writing books about their own families, giving an insight into the origins of surnames and how we became what we are today — a population of around 34,000 inhabitants with very varied origins.

Most recently Ronnie Barabich, who has been a correspondent with weekly news review Panorama for many years, has taken it upon himself to publish a book, in the form of a novel.

He begins by explaining “My first ancestors came to Gibraltar in 1758 and are registered in the church records under the name of ‘Barobiscio’ — which due to the clerk at the registry office at the time was changed to what we know today, Barabich.”

The novel is partly the author’s auto-biography intermingled with the similar circumstances which other Gibraltarians came across living during those years in Gibraltar.

The book is called The Memoirs of Arnold Barabiscio, a fictitious character who evolves through a series of happenings during his lifespan of about 60 years. There are many anecdotes about extended family members growing up in a small community, school days and working days seen with the eyes of the author. He also delves into the days of conscription in the Gibraltar Regiment.

The love affairs of this man are also part and parcel of his narrations as is his keen interest in sport, although not a great sportsman himself.

Another topic which is very much a matter of conversation locally is politics and he too touches on political moments in time, as well as a series of trivial happenings which say a lot about a Gibraltarian’s way of life... at least this specific Gibraltarian.

For those interested in Gibraltar’s National Anthem and other songs that pin-point a specific time in Gibraltar’s history, Ronnie has included the lyrics along with the lyrics to the popular Virgencita de Europa, a local composition and for past pupils of the Boys’ Grammar School the words of The Gibraltar Grammar

Going For Gold...

Author Ronnie Barabich

“

It is just an honest attempt to record the social and political history of Gibraltar as seen by an individual

”

School Song.

Other historic moments featured in the book.

“I have taken the liberty of dwelling on the effects of the Spanish Civil War, which took place from 1936 to 1939, I also write about the support which existed for the Republican Government and the rebels. And I write about the Evacuation amongst other important and less important happenings!”

The forward of his book has been written by his good friend and past Chief Minister Adolfo Canepa. In the ‘Author’s Note’ there are a number of things which give an insight into the book: “I point out in the author’s note that I did not really go into deep and exhaustive research and I want to ensure people realise this book is not a highly intellectual concept of any sort.

It is just an honest attempt to record the social and po political history of Gibraltar as seen by an individual who has many experiences from those days. I have written this book with the Gibraltarian reader in mind and therefore it does have a series of quotes in Spanish or ‘Yanito’ as we ourselves call our minimalistic dialect.”

When can we expect to see it in local bookshops?

“The book is now being published and will be ready before Christmas. My idea is to regain any expenses incurred in publishing and the rest will be going to a local charity.” ■

It’s that time of the year again when the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants get started with their training for the qualifying Gold expedition.

Although the expedition proper is not until July 2011, 46 participants aged 17-19, who have recently started with the Gold Award level, travelled to Spain in November to carry out the first of three practise camps for the Expedition Section of their programmes. All the participants undertake team building activities including hiking so they can build up their “expedition legs” as they wil be required to hike a minimum of 80km in 4 days in the qualifying expedition. They are supervised by experienced leaders throughout their trips.

For further information about the Award please contact the Director, Michael Pizzarello on 20059818 or email mjpizza@gibtelecom.net. The Award is an exciting youth development Programme open to young people between the ages of 14 and 25.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

77

events

by Richard Cartwright

The business of Christmas We all know what a busy time Christmas is; presents to think about and buy, foodstuffs to get in and prepare and so much more. But what about businesses, when do they get into gear? Is it weeks, months or even a year before the magical December date descends upon us?

As a simple observer, I would proclaim that things have changed when it comes to preparing and running a retail business at Christmas. In the past we had little in the way of competition from the neighbouring hinterland — except in seasonal foodstuffs maybe. We didn’t have the internet and not much would be purchased by way of ordering goods through catalogues. On the other hand it’s a fact of life that we’ve become more affluent which could mean, in many cases, all of those purchasing methods are used with that extra spending power, whilst still Christmas shopping locally too.

Most of the businessmen and women I spoke to in town seem to think most customers didn’t have a problem purchasing goods on both sides of the frontier, for example. They claim they haven’t asked, but recognise there is competi-

tion from across the way and although it does mean more could be sold locally if potential clients didn’t shop abroad or via the internet or through catalogues, businesses will admit they still do quite well.

Card shops have an advantage in this area because although there are some shops across the way which sell Christmas cards and other forms of greetings goods in English, you don’t find the selection you find on the Rock. Steph-

anie at Hallmark in John Mackintosh Square tells me, as expected, Christmas is their busiest time. “We do quite well during other events like the run up to Mother’s and Father’s Day and even Divali and Jewish feasts or celebrations, but during Christmas our sales double.”

Expats come in from the Coast where not just the variety but price range of English Christmas cards (which range from the reasonably cheap to cards with tunes or recorded

Although there are some shops across the way which sell Christmas cards and other forms of greetings goods in English, you don’t find the selection you find on the Rock messages), wrapping paper and other gifts are not easy to come by on the Coast. So from the second or third week in November, things start to roll and during December they have to stay open until late. “Yes it gets very busy. We’ve got to get into gear and start ordering in February for Christmas, which is still ten months away but we need to do that to get the best for our customers.”

It may not come as a surprise that the majority of those contacted say Christmas is their best sales period. I thought, maybe, the summer months with the cruise ships in port and visitors and holiday makers from Spain might be better for some, but most say Christmas is tops.

The Managing Director of Tagore, a prestigious outlet in town specialising in jewellery and watches says experience is of the essence and the yuletide period is great for them. “We rely on local customers and on that have built up the majority of our business. Visitors to the Rock are a plus. Birthdays, engagements and other occasions and especially Christmas are very good for us.”

One sector where Christmas business really flourishes is the well-rooted custom of festive dinners and parties, whether in restaurants or bars, or at home. Restaurants are taking bookings for the following Christmas ‘do’ as soon as the last liqueur is sipped on the night of the current, merry celebration!

Wine and spirit merchants are overwhelmed with orders through November and most of December. Retailers do very well also. There’s that special bottle of whisky or expensive wine for your favourite lawyer or family doctor.

One wine shop owner informs me “There are

78

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

events always extra purchases for a special present here and a special present there.”

It certainly is a time for going a bit crazy and by all accounts it seems there is no place for recession within the local community at Christmas time.

Christmas is often considered the domain of children having a really good time and, in many cases, receiving all they have wished for during the year. “Toys, toys and more toys,” that’s the theme and I’m informed that, yes, today’s kids do look forward to that important event just as much as we did in years gone by (something I’ve always wondered about, as Granny makes sure they get whatever they want during the rest of the year too).

Bianca and Gabriella at Us for Toys were up to their necks in it when I visited. “In January we’re off to the Toy Trade Fair in Olympia in London and it’s practically a whole yearround build up to the big day,” Bianca says.

“Sometimes I’m up half the night watching the cartoon and children’s TV channels waiting for the ad breaks to see what we may have missed and would be good to order. Individual customers will also come up to us and ask for a specific toy that we have to research and try and find for them.” The girls tell me they have to keep in constant touch with their suppliers to make sure the item is there.

They deal with major suppliers in a very competitive business and have to study the competition. I wondered if the Spanish outlets across the way were denting their profits?

“No, because we are cheaper than they are.

We pass any discounts coming our way on to our customers. We don’t order through Spain either. That is a hassle so all our stuff comes from distributors in the UK,” Gabriella is quick to inform me.

Apart from making sure they bring in all the year’s favourites a lot of emphasis is placed on educational toys these days. Customers are more demanding and many are buying for Christmas earlier so the Sanguinetti girls have to make sure they’re well stocked, well in advance. (I used to get my Dinky toys from their granddad’s store in City Mill Lane in the ’50s).

So that’s the picture all over town in the run up to Christmas which, for most local retail businesses, starts at the beginning of the year, every year!

Most of us customers put on our ‘yuletide thinking caps’ much later when the nights start to draw in and become colder — a vivid reminder Christmas is nigh. Or perhaps as one parent did one year when he realised he’d left it too late. He rang Gabriella at the toy shop on Christmas morning pleading... she open up for him. That’s the business of Christmas, special goodwill towards men! ■

Christmas Market Come one, come all to this year’s Christmas Market at Queensway Quay. Residents and visitors alike are invited to join in the fun starting at 5.30pm on Tuesday 7th December.

The Immaculate Conception is recognised on this day, so students have the day free to attend with their families.

Christmas Market stallholders include Gibraltar Arts and Crafts Association members who will be selling a wide variety of exclusive handmade quality gifts. Local artwork, fine jewelery and illustrated children’s books will also be on sale along with other gifts that are perfect stocking stuffers.

Children can enjoy interactive activities such as face painting and helping decorate the real quayside Christmas tree.

The National Choir will be entertaining guests with Christmas carols and other festive favourites.

Father Christmas will also make an appearance before he heads back to the North Pole.

Visitors can enjoy mulled wine and mince pies as they stroll around the Christmas Market. The Waterfront Restaurant will be operating their usual service if you fancy something more. ■

Father Christmas is Coming to Gibraltar!

Attention all kids! Have you been good this year? Are your Christmas lists already made? Well be ready for Santa, who will once again be making an extra special appearance in Gibraltar, before Christmas Eve! Despite his busy schedule during the month All children visiting the Grotto will received of December, you will be able to catch Father a special gift from Santa. Be sure not to miss Christmas and discuss your Christmas pres- him! ents with him, at King’s Bastion Leisure Centre Tickets for visiting Santa’s Grotto are priced on the following December dates: £3 and £5, and may be purchased in advance from the Reception at the Leisure Centre, Saturday 4th from 11am to 1pm during normal office hours, from Friday 3rd th Thursday 9 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm December. The price of the ticket will deterSaturday 11th from 11am to 1pm mine the value of the gift.

Thursday 16th from 4.30pm to 6.30pm So come on kids! Don’t be shy and come Saturday 18th from 11am to 1pm say hello to Father Christmas at King’s Bastion Thursday 23rd from 4.30pm to 6.30pm Leisure Centre. He can’t wait to see you! ■

Most of us customers put on our ‘yuletide thinking caps’ much later when the nights start to draw in and become colder GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

79

history file

A Spanish Swindle with a Gibraltar Touch

by Reg Reynolds

Phishing is the newly coined name for internet fraud whereby criminals bait victims by offering huge future rewards in return for a ‘small’ upfront loan. Every internet user will be familiar with these begging e-mails, which usually involve a fictitious lottery win, but as the following 1908 headline from the New York Times testifies these ‘phishing swindles’ are new in name only.

“Spanish Swindler Seeks Victim Here”

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

Open for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner

80

Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

The Times story tells how a Spanish man has been wrongly imprisoned at Madrid and needs money for his young daughter who is staying in Gibraltar.

The swindler ’s ‘mark’ was a gentleman named Richard Copley who was the agent for the wealthy and well-known theatrical impresario Henry Wolfsohn *[See note].

The Times story relates: “In view of the warning sent to the American State Department that another band of Spanish swindlers is endeavouring to get money from Americans, a letter received

by Richard Copley of this city is of interest, as showing the methods of the band.”

The letter Copley received asking for money was from one Louis Rodriguez Copley who claimed to be a relative. Rodriguez Copley wrote that he was the son of an engineer

who received $500,000 for working on a Panama Canal project with Ferdinand de Lesseps.

De Lesseps, French developer of the Suez Canal, did attempt to build a lockless canal across the isthmus of Panama in the 1880s but the project failed due to recurrent landslides and a staggering death toll of workers from malaria and yellow fever. Often referred to as the Panama Canal Scandal it emerged that de Lesseps had only received funding for the Panama Canal Company by bribing 150 deputies of the French parliament.

In 1893 he was found guilty of bribery and ordered to pay a fine and serve a prison sentence but he was let off from the latter on the grounds it had been more than three years since the crime was committed.

So it was feasible Rodriguez Copley’s father had come by a large sum of money, albeit probably illegally, but de Lesseps was long dead (he died in 1894) and thus unavail-

Rodriguez Copley wrote that he was the son of an engineer who received $500,000 for working on a Panama Canal project with Ferdinand de Lesseps GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

events able for any confirmation.

In the letter Rodriguez Copley plies the sympathy route by claiming his father, mother and wife had all died leaving him to raise a “beautiful 14-year-old daughter” all on his own. He sent the daughter as charge of a friend to Gibraltar and crossed the border into Spain planning to make his way to England to retrieve his inheritance which was deposited in London banks.

Unfortunately at Madrid he had been taken into custody and thrown into prison as a French spy.

The Times related: “In this emergency he appealed to his ‘relation’ to save his beautiful daughter who was still at Gibraltar and in dire straits.

He wished only that Mr. Copley send enough money, some $1,000, to this girl to tide her over until he could get out of prison, and the reward for this service was a third of the money left in the London

banks.”

Needless to say the New York Copley didn’t send the money but he told the Times, “The strangest part is that the writer evidently knows about my family and personal affairs because there are touches in this letter which proves that I was looked up. That of course would mean that the swindlers have confederates in New York who supply them with information”.

As the money was to be sent to Gibraltar there must have been confederates there as well. Or was there really a lonely teenage girl stranded on the Rock? * Note: Henry Wolfsohn established the first musical bureau in New York.

He was well known in Europe as he travelled there each year to recruit top artists, including the likes of Rachmaninoff, to perform for performances in the United States. He died 1909.

He wished only that Mr. Copley send enough money to this girl to tide her over until he could get out of prison, and the reward for this service was a third of the money left in the London banks

Steven and Chantal perform their duet

Gibraltar in 2 Finals at European Showdance Championships The Gibraltar National Dance Organisation recently sent a small team of dancers to represent Gibraltar at the European Showdance Championships held in Pecs, Hungary along with more than 1500 dancers from 15 European countries.

The team, Chantal Santos, Steven Pardo, Aaron Caballero, Gina Morello Caballero, and International Judge Gerald Rodriguez. Steven in his solo and Chantal and Steven in their duet reached the finals and all performers did Gibraltar proud. They were extremely pleased their duet was ranked 7th at the World Championship in Riesa and 5th in Europe.

Although very tiring for Judge Gerald Rodriguez, it proved to be a wonderful and challenging experience considering this was his first time as IDO adjudicator.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

81

music scene

DJ Rookie

mixing it up

by Kristin Mortensen

The fact is a DJ can either make or break a night out, and we’re fortunate enough to have a talented DJ bless us with his presence in Gibraltar.

DJ Rookie has been igniting the club scene and droppin’ beats that’ll even get your grandma moving. His playlist has travelled across the Atlantic from all over Antigua to Switzerland and now Gibraltar. With a signature style that exemplifies an upbeat reggae flow infused with bashment, DJ Rookie knows how to get the party started… and make it last all night.

82

Photo by Javier Amian

It’s Friday night and you’re ready to paint the town. After a few drinks, you push your way to the packed dance floor ready to show off your incredible dance skills…or lack thereof. The only thing on your mind is how much fun you’re having. However, If we take a deeper look into all the aspects that contribute to a good night, music is a big determining factor. What goes on behind the blaring speakers projecting the lyrics of the music? Or, better yet, who is the mastermind behind the turntables choosing the tunes?

“

My Djing skills have become a lot more versatile since living here because of the different tastes of music in such a multicultural place

”

For all you party animals, you’ve probably heard DJ Rookie a time or two, propped up inside Savannah on a Friday night pumping up the crowd while mixing the latest hits. Or perhaps you’ve heard him DJ in various venues such as the Underground (now called Speak Easy), Market Tavern and the Tunnel before making Savannah his home venue for the past few years. DJ Rookie is a now a familiar face in the entertainment industry around Gibraltar with his ability to fill any dance floor.

“My DJing skills have become a lot more

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

music scene versatile since living in Gibraltar because of DJing for, and they didn’t believe me when I the different tastes of music from such a multi- told them it was my first time.” cultural place,” DJ Rookie says matter-of-factly.

A move to New York in his teenage years was “Everyone has their own taste in music so you an eye-opening experience when he was introhave to play with an open-mind, even if it may not be my favourite.”

Born on the Caribbean island of Antigua, DJ Rookie spent most of his early DJ career heating up this little isle with his hot beats. His musically orientated family summoned him into a life of music from the day he was born. His older cousins, who are also DJs, saw his potential from a young age and began teaching him techniques for mixing songs. Being the youngest of their DJ group, A³, he was nicknamed “Rookie.” Since he had the least amount of experience out of all of them, he was only allowed to play before the crowd ca­­­me. Subsequently, most of his time was spent shadowing and observing his cousins’ skills during performances, and he longed for the day when he’d get his big break.

Opportunity knocked on his door the night A³ wasn’t able to play last minute at a local party.

They frantically called Rookie asking him to fill in for them. This was his chance to show everyone just how much he knew, even if he was just the rookie. And, of course, DJ Rookie came to their rescue, jumped on the turntables and played his very first gig all by himself at only 14-years-old. From that point on, he was hooked.

“When I stepped up to the DJ decks, all nervousness went out the door and I got up there and gave it my best using everything I’d learned,” DJ Rookie says. “Then after the show everyone kept asking me how long I had been

“

When I stepped up to the DJ decks, all nervousness went out the door and I got up there and gave it my best using everything I’d learned

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECeMBer 2010

duced to the work of notorious Funk Master Flex, DJ Scribbles and Grand Master Flash, all of who remain his idols today. He bought their cassette tapes (yes, this was before CDs) and spent hours in his room listening intently to their albums on repeat. This finally prompted him to buy his own decks, where he practised imitating the talented work of famous DJs who inspired him to create his own mixes.

After a short while, DJ Rookie returned to Antigua, where he began playing with other artists.

He was introduced to DJ Quicxx who played in Miami and they immediately hit it off. Both relatively new in the DJ world, the two began learning scratches and mixes and blending and creating beats. The second artist he played with was Undercover DJ who took DJ Rookie under his wing and taught him advanced techniques such as measuring tempos and synchronizing songs. DJ Rookie learned a lot from these DJs, all while still playing the occasional gig with A³.

Since then, DJ Rookie went on a one man mission that propelled him to Gibraltar seven years ago. His years of experience behind the turntables have made him an accomplished DJ with a lot of hype from audiences all over the world. Though esteemed on the club scene, his versatile nature has people booking him for weddings, private parties and special events.

From hip-hop to dancehall to oldies, DJ Rookie mixes it up… literally. n This month, DJ Rookie will be DJing at Savannah, Leisure Island, Ocean Village on Friday 3rd December and Friday 10th December.

83

food & drink

The Perfect Cup Many people ask the team at Verdi Verdi what the secret is to their extraordinary coffee, so we personally spoke to owner, Idan, to see what all the fuss over a simple cup of coffee was about.

Idan and Duncan of Verdi Verdi

The Verdi Verdi team says they have sampled coffees from all over the world, and personally selected and created the finest, tastiest blend to serve to the people of Gibraltar.

Fresh, creamy milk combined with their infamous rich blend creates a delicious cup of coffee brewed fresh every time.

Idan also enlightened us on the art of pouring the perfect cup, topped off with an intricate design embedded in the froth. And it seems it’s all down to skill and practice.

Coffee is their passion at Verdi Verdi and it is definitely reflected in each and every cup.

Verdi Verdi is conveniently located at the top of Cornwall’s Lane, not too far off the beaten path of Main Street. This is a must-try for coffee-lovers from near and far. n

Savannah’s December Events

Friday 3rd - DJ Rookie. Saturday 4th - Xmas Party Night DJ Dani.

Friday 10th - DJ Rookie. Saturday 11th - Xmas Party Night DJ Dani.

Friday 17th - DJ Maniac & Jestin. Saturday 18th - Xmas Party Night DJ Dani. Wednesday 22nd - Play Party Xmas Special Jestin V Maniac.

Friday 24th - TBC. Saturday 25th - Savannah Christmas Party 2010.

Tuesday 28th - Break Down The House With Lethalness Live Fri 31st Dec - Savannah New Year’s Eve Bash

84

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

food & drink

mulled wine

Don’t miss out on this year’s annual Christmas raffle put on by the lovely folks at Just A Nibble. For the fifth year in a row, the raffle has won the hearts of the customers and now has people lining up for their free raffle ticket.

The entry is easy as pie! All you have to do is eat £5 worth of food at Just A Nibble and you will receive a ticket that automatically enters you in the grand prize draw which takes place at 3pm on 15th December in the café itself. The participants can enjoy delicious sausage rolls

and mince pies, while they eagerly wait for the winner to be announced.

Like the previous year, the grand prize winner will receive a Christmas hamper filled with all sorts of goodies. Each year a donation is made to a different charity and this year the Cat Welfare Society has been chosen to receive a generous donation from Just A Nibble. Join the fun and don’t miss out on this worthwhile charity event at Just A Nibble located on the first floor of the ICC. n

e M Lou ah ng a e C raja as a Pe pe

Q e th on 14

Th

ua

nt fro er W at e Th

P

Just-a-Nibble’s Free Xmas Raffle

y

Mulled wine is a festive favourite that has been enjoyed for centuries. This warm drink dates back to ancient times when water was considered impure. Today, mulled wine is served during the winter months in countries all over the world. The word ‘mulled’ means ‘heated with spices’, which is exactly what this tasty drink has to offer. There are many variations of the recipe, but the most common mulled wine is made with heated red wine with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, sugar, orange and lemon slices. Mulled wine is the perfect drink to warm you up this winter, giving you a dose of sugar and spice and everything nice! n

Queensway Quay Marina

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

85

recipes

Festive Indulgences Trying to expand and break the mould of festive dishes which can sometimes be a little tired try these suggestions... Simple but ‘knockya-socks-off’ individual or one large Christmas pudding with rum butter to get you in the festive mood. Butter roasted turkey breast and, for your non-meat eating guest, a vegetable nut roast inspired by our vegetarian editor. But let’s start with a fantastic recipe perfect for Christmas morning (or any morning it’s that tasty)...

Smoked Salmon, Asparagus & Chive Scrambled Eggs Serves 4

4 large free range organic Eggs 1 bunch of Asparagus (blanched until al dente and then chopped in half centimetre pieces - slight crunch to the bite) 300g Smoked Salmon sliced thinly (oak or Scottish salmon preferable) 1 small pack Chives (chopped very finely) 100ml Pouring Cream (fresh is way better than UHT) 50g Unsalted Butter 50ml Olive Oil Fresh ground Black Pepper

In a large bowl crack the eggs, then add the asparagus, smoked salmon, chives, cream and a nice whack of freshly ground black pepper (note no salt yet as the Smoked Salmon can sometimes be rather salty). Whisk to combine well for about 1 minute.

Next melt the butter in a large non stick fry pan with 50ml of olive oil. When melted together and starting to bubble away add the egg mix and stir with a wooden spoon, over a medium heat, in a figure eight method. The time will vary but around 4 minutes is a good guideline, unless you like your eggs hard. Taste

86

and adjust seasoning to your liking and serve with a wee glass of Cava and orange juice.

(Hint: try this recipe with the eggs cooked soft, the texture and flavour is sooo much more enjoyable). n

Butter Roasted Turkey Breast with Chorizo & Sage Stuffing Serves 8

2 large Turkey Breasts, skin on, each weighing 600-700g, butterflied 2 medium Brown Onions finely diced 1 pack Sage, leaves picked and finely sliced 100g Pancetta finely diced 2 sticks good quality Chorizo, finely diced 400g Salted Butter 1 loaf fresh White Bread Salt and Pepper Butcher’s twine

Ask your butcher nicely to butterfly the turkey breasts for you.

In a large saucepan melt half the butter. Add the onion and pancetta and cook over a medium heat until the onion is soft. Add the chorizo and sage and cook for a further 5 mins. A lot of the fat will render out of the chorizo and pancetta, so quickly transfer to a strainer to remove any excess fat and set aside. Remove the crusts

from the bread and add to a blender to make the breadcrumbs. Then add the chorizo mix to the breadcrumbs and blend. The mix will be slightly dry so add some more melted butter to create a nice wet stuffing mix. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Now divide the stuffing mix between the 2 turkey breasts and roll over to make a circular shape, but don’t over stuff, there may be some stuffing mix left which can be frozen until another time.

Now cut off 10 pieces of the butcher’s twine in 12cm pieces, Lay these out lengthways on a chopping board in 2 cm spaces. Season the outside of the breasts and place them on top of the twine and then tie each piece and trim any excess twine.

Tear off 4 nice pieces of aluminium foil; lay out 2 pieces for each breast and divide the rest of the butter between the 2. Roll into a tight round log kind of roll and they are ready to rock.

Roast in a preheated oven at 200º for 65 minutes. Take out and set aside to rest for a further 10 mins. I always like to check the breasts with a probe but if you don’t have one of these it will be cooked if the chicken juices run clear.

Serve nice 1cm thick slices with your desired selection of Christmas favourite vegetables and get merry. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

recipes

by Chef Scott Casey

Wild Mushroom & Mixed Nut Roast with Puff Pastry & Stilton

3 Eggs beaten + 1 for brushing the pastry Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper to taste

Soak the quinoa overnight in 2/3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for about 15 - 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a frying pan, toast the nuts and seeds over low heat for about 5 minutes or until they begin to darken a few shades. Transfer to a large bowl.

Soak the dried mushrooms and the sundried tomatoes in two small bowls of hot water for roughly 20 minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid, finely chop and set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the onion, garlic and celery to the pan. Stir and fry for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Now add the fresh and dried mushrooms to the pan, raise the heat and cook for another few minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the toasted

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

Scottie’s Unreal Christmas Pudding with Jamaican Rum Butter & Baileys Anglaise Serves 12

300g pitted Prunes, finely chopped 100g each Currants, Raisins and dried Cranberries, finely chopped 150g pitted Dates, finely chopped 100g Almonds, finely chopped 100g Mixed Peel, finely chopped 1 Orange, zest and juice only 60ml Grand Marnier 150ml good quality Muscat 250g softened Unsalted Butter 250g Soft Brown Sugar 3 Eggs 250g fresh white Breadcrumbs 1 cup plain Flour 150ml Milk

Photo: J.J. Wood

nuts.

Now add the lemon juice to the bowl, along with the quinoa, paprika, cayenne, Stilton, Serves 4-6 oregano and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir until well combined. Add the salt and pepper, stir 2/3 cup cooked Quinoa (1/3 cup uncooked) 2 cups Nuts, finely chopped (Cashews, Walnuts, and test for seasoning. Add the three beaten eggs, and stir well.

Pecans, Brazil, or any combination of nuts) Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured 2-3 tbs Sesame Seeds board until very thin. Line a loaf pan with the 397g Puff Pastry rolled out pastry, leaving enough overlap to 2 tbs Olive Oil or Butter cover the top of the loaf pan. Spoon the nut 1 large Red Onion, finely chopped mixture into the loaf pan, distributing evenly 1-2 cloves Garlic, finely minced and pressing down firmly. Beat an egg in small 2 stalks Celery, finely chopped bowl. Brush the puff pastry with the egg and 6 fresh medium Button Mushrooms, finely cover loaf with the overlapping pastry. Place a chopped baking sheet over the loaf pan, invert, and re2/3 - 3/4 cup of dried Wild Mushrooms (Porcini, move the loaf pan. Make small slits and holes Portobello, Oyster) in the pastry and brush the entire loaf with 4-5 Sundried Tomatoes more of the beaten egg.

200g Stilton or a good quality Blue Cheese Bake in a preheated 425º oven for 20 minutes. Chef Scott 1 tsp Paprika Reduce the heat to 350º and bake for another 40 Casey 1/2 tsp Cayenne minutes, or until golden brown.

1 tsp Oregano Serve warm with a vegetable dish or some 2 tsps Ground Cinnamon & Mixed Spice juice from one Lemon salad. n Half tsp Bicarbonate of Soda In a medium size bowl combine the prunes, currants, raisins, cranberries, dates, mixed peel, orange zest and juice.

In a small pot combine the Muscat and Grand Marnier and bring to the boil. Then add to the fruit mix, stir well and submerge by pushing a saucer on top. Cover and sit in the fridge overnight.

Next beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time giving a good 10 seconds in between each egg.

Then add the flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, breadcrumbs and bicarb of soda, mix together for 15 seconds or until combined well. Then stir in the fruit mix.

Tip this lovely mix into an appropriate size pudding bowl which has been well buttered, cover with non-stick baking paper and then 2 layers of aluminium foil. Secure with some string. Place in a large pot big enough to accommodate the pudding bowl, pour enough boiling water to come up the side of the dish about 2 cm from the rim and simmer for 5 hours. You will have to keep an eye on it every now and again to keep topping up the water so the pudding cooks evenly.

When it’s done remove and cool for a good 2 hours or if you’re in a hurry place in a sink of cold water.

For the Jamaican rum butter simply combine half a cup of softened salted butter, 1 cup of soft brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of grated nutmeg and 5 tablespoons of dark Jamaican Rum (I use Coruba) and set aside. This quantity will serve approximately five people.

For the Baileys anglaise refer to last month’s magazine edition for the recipe (online).

To serve remove the pudding from the mould (reheat briefly in the microwave if you have cooled it). Dust the pud heavily with icing sugar, add an awesome sized dollop of the rum butter and drown it in Baileys anglaise. This will have you singing all those Christmas carol favourites in no time…

Enjoy and Merry Christmas to all. n

87

food file

A Gibraltarian Foodie Abroad

by Brian Reyes www.mymediterraneandiet.net

In my experience it’s almost inevitable that if you sit down to eat at a restaurant next to a major tourist attraction anywhere in the world, the food is invariably bad and overpriced. I guess a captive audience leads to lazy cooking and overzealous pricing.

So imagine my surprise when, in 50 degrees on a recent trip to Ouarzazate, in central Morocco, sweating, tired, thirsty and hungry, all my preconceptions went out the window into the shimmering heat haze of the Sahara desert.

Sat on cushions in a breezy room in La Kasbah restaurant, a stone’s throw from the Kasbah Taourit, the town’s main attraction, we enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal for the meagre cost of E10.

It took half a day to drive here from Marrakesh, traversing the Atlas mountains and driving through scorching desert past lush oases and crumbling adobe fortress towns.

Ouarzazate is a bizarre place. Its main source of income is Hollywood. Numerous movies have been filmed here, ranging from Biblical classics to Star Wars and, more recently, Babel. It has wide modern avenues but retains a close affinity to traditional Moroccan architecture. People stop here en route to the desert. Beyond Ouarzazate

88

there is Zagora, and then the Sahara.

We stopped at La Kasbah before visiting the Kasbah Taourit, just across the road. We climbed three flights of stairs, crossed covered terraces

On a recent trip to Ouarzazate, in central Morocco, sweating, tired, thirsty and hungry, all my preconceptions went out the window into the shimmering heat haze of the Sahara desert

and entered a spacious room at the top of the building. Colourful cushions lined the walls, with low tables in between set for lunch. We ate salads to start with, followed by a choice of mutton and vegetable tagine with couscous, or mixed lamb and chicken brochettes. For dessert, we had thick wedges of melon and watermelon, sweet nectar to dry throats and cracked lips, sore from the desert dust. We drank water — what else? — and washed down bite-size almond cakes with sweet mint tea.

Across the way, the Kasbah Taourit was a fascinating place to see. A former palace belonging to the Glaoui clan that once ruled this part of Morocco, it is a maze of cool, spacious rooms and narrow passages, stairs winding between levels, arched windows and intricate mosaics adorning walls and ceilings. In his white djellabah it was as if, Ali, our guide, had been plucked from the stories of harems and tribal fighting that he was recounting as we walked through... n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • dECEMBER 2010

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

VISIT US AND STEP BACK IN HISTORY

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

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

NOW OFFERING DAILY SPECIALS Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449

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

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

GLMS Music Venue of the Year.

Official Home to Gibraltar Rugby Club Free WiFi

restaurant bar guide &

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

turn to pages 90-93 for full restaurant and bar listings

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

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

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

Wembley Bar

To advertise in this section call

200 77748

10 South Barrack Ramp.

Tel: 200 78004

email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi

• Hot & cold bar snacks • Function room

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

now also in Casemates

Just A Nibble Licensed Cafeteria Let the ‘A’ Team serve you up a snack or a meal.

Daily Specials • Varied Menu

Open from 9am First Floor ICC, Main Street THE PLACE TO MEET

Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Beers & Soft Drinks Distributors Est. 1839

35 Devil’s Tower Road, Gibraltar. Telephone: (350) 200 74600 Telefax: (350) 200 77031 e-mail: mail@sacspeed.gi A Member of The Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Group of Companies GIBRALTAR 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• JUNE DECEMBER

89 89

to Saturday 19.30 to 22.30 and lunchtimes for group bookings.

restaurants

The Mexican Grill and Bar Unit 2B The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 46668 The Mexican Grill and Bar serves all the favourite Mexican dishes from Nachos, Quesadillas and Chimichangas (rolled flour tortilla with spicy chicken, chilli beef or vegetables, deep fried, served with Mexican rice and salad and guacamole, salsa or sour cream), to Burritos (like Chimichangas but oven baked), El Gringos Chilli con Carne, or Cheese Holy Mole Enchiladas.

Don’t forget Big Eat Homemade Burgers (5 to choose from) and from the grill barbecue combos, steaks and chicken. Salads and sides to order.

Open: lunch and dinner 12 noon to late

14 on the Quay Unit 14, Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 43731 Open for lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner, 14 on the Quay offers a relaxed atmosphere inside and al fresco dining for every occasion.

The international menu changes on a monthly basis to offer a wide variety of choice each time you visit and you can wind up your evening with a refreshing cocktail as you watch one of the marina’s spectacular sunsets.

Open: 12 midday - late every day, Sundays 12 midday - 4pm Brunos The Boardwalk, Marina Bay. Tel: 216 25555 A modern marina-side restaurant which offers a selection of classical, contemporary and local dishes. Choose from a variety of starters such as baked goat’s cheese or smoked mackerel pâté before your main dish with choices of meat, fish or vegetarian options. Alternatively you can go for the favourites which include home-made burgers or pizzas through to steamed mussels or chicken Caesar salad to name a few. Bruno’s other offering is their tapas selection where you can choose any three dishes served with homemade crostini for just £6.50. If you have any special dietary requirements, just ask the staff and they’ll be happy to accommodate you wherever possible.

Open: 10am until late (kitchen until 11pm) l Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449 Modern Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square. Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard. No smoking inside. Free WiFi. l Cafe Rojo 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738 Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee. Brunch menu (10am-12pm) includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious desserts (chocolate mousse in a must). Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner 7-10pm includes Roast Pumpkin, Mushroom, & Spinach Curry; Marinated Tuna Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; pasta dishes such as Langoustine, Lime & Coconut; Pear, Walnut &

Blue Cheese; and Creamy Mixed Seafood; and salads such as Warm Goats’ Cheese, Fresh Spinach & Chargrilled Aubergine; and Roast Duck, Chorizo & Pancetta Salad.

Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and Saturday lunch.

Casa Pepe 18 Queensway Quay Marina.

Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com Situated right on the water front at Queensway Quay, Casa Pepe has a comprehensive a la carte menu which includes dishes such as melon & Serrano ham, stuffed piquillo peppers and filled mushrooms to start, followed by a choice of salads, rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat dishes which include King Prawns Macarena (cooked with fresh ginger, tomatoes, mangos and bananas served with basmati rice, fried bread and bananas), Medallions of monkfish cooked with white wine and lobster sauce, duck breast Armanac-style (with Cognac, mushrooms and pine nuts), Medallions of pork loin cooked with Serrano ham and dry Jerez sherry, and fillet steak Malagueña cooked in creamy garlic mushrooms and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns.

Wide range of tapas/raciones also available.

Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late.

Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 E-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi Overlooking the Mediterranean from Catalan Bay, Nunos’ Spanish chef with Three Star Michellin experience offers a variety of Italian cuisine.

The restaurant has now moved from its location on the lower floors and can now be found at the reception level of the hotel. A quick peak at the menu reveals the chef’s celebrated Salmorejo is on the menu, as are his baby squid burgers (Insalata di Calamari). From the main dishes you can choose from a variety of fresh fish and meat dishes. Or you could go for the house speciality of fresh, home-made pasta where you can choose from a wide range of options. Open: Monday

Maharaja Indian Restaurants Tuckey’s Lane. Tel: 200 75233 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel: 200 50733 With two restaurants, one in the town centre and another on the quayside of Queensway Quay, the Maharaja restaurants have been a well known name in Gibraltar for nearly 40 years. Whilst each restaurant offers a slightly different menu, you’ll find traditional Indian cooking in these recently refurbished restaurants with plenty of choice to cater to your taste. The Maharaja offers vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes throughout its range of starters and main dishes, and don’t be scared to ask them to spice up the dishes just to your liking. The extensive wine list covers reds, roses, whites as well as cava and champagne for that special night out. And if you’re planning a night in, you can use their take-away service.

Open: Maharaja Tuckey’s Lane: Monday 10am4pm, Tues - Sun 10am-4pm & 7pm-midnight Maharaja Queensway Quay: Tues - Sun 12-4pm & 7pm-Midnight Savannah Lounge 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 www.savannah.gi 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 midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

Solo Bar & Grill Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828 Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery — perfect for business functions or lunches — and part of the popular Cafe Solo stable.

Serving everything from Goats’ Cheese Salad, Mediterranean Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Beer Battered John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, and Chargrilled Sirloin Steak. This is a delightful venue in Europort with a cosy mezzanine level and terrace seating — well worth a visit, or two!

Open: 12-8pm. Available for private functions and corporate events — call 200 62828 to book your function or event.

l = full menus online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 90

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

The Waterfront Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 45666 Website: www.gibwaterfront.com The Waterfront is a very popular long established restaurant located on the quayside at Queensway Quay Marina. Serving drinks, snacks and A La Carte menus. There are different areas for eating; inside the main bar area or within a large chandelier light covered terrace, or formal and informal dining on the water’s edge. A newly extended bar area, featuring the new Balcony Bar upstairs offers plenty of relaxing, warm, cozy space to enjoy bar snacks and drinks. The seasonally inspired menu brings you market fresh dishes from the land and the sea. The classic winter warmer dishes are ever popular as the weather changes and dishes that remain firm favourites in Gibraltar are always available. Waterfront also specialises in aged steaks; this in house dry aging process involves wrapping the meat in muslin cloth to draw out the moisture over a period of 21 days, resulting in a more concentrated flavour and fantastically succulent, tender steaks. A wide range of Movenpick ice cream and scrumptious homemade desserts is also available.

Open: 9 till late 7 days a week, year round.

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 — it’s all freshly cooked and delicious. Home delivery service.

Open: 7 days a week, evening from 6pm, lunch from 12:30pm

informaleating Amin's The Office 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932 Sit down, informal and friendly restaurant.

Amin is well known in Gibraltar for his Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisine.

Open early for breakfast at 7am right through the day. Try the Moroccan soups, couscous, lamb tagines and kebabs.

Open: 7.00am to midnight.

Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Open: Mon - Fri 8.30-7, Sat 9 - 4, Closed Sun. Picadilly Gardens Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758 Relaxed bar restaurant with cosy garden terrace just across the road from the cable car. English breakfast, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or take away. Menu of the day only £6. Open: early to late.

all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, pasta, pies, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day.

Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat. Just A Nibble 1st Flr ICC Tel: 200 78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and snacks. Meals include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli con carne, and a great new range of pies (from Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole range of tasty alternatives) plus all the old favourites; jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014 Bright and airy, recently redecorated cafe on the first floor of the ICC. All home-made food including daily specials, vegetarian options and desserts. Eat in or take-away. Try their daily roast with everything on or their all-day breakfast. Non-smoking restaurant with terrace smoking area. Friendly, cheerful and fully licensed with sensible prices.

Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Mumbai Curry House Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do piaza... in fact all you would expect from an Indian cuisine take-away. Large vegetarian selection. Halal food is available, as is outside catering for parties and meetings. Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Dosa and Choley Bhature.

Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm -late.

Buddies Pasta Casa 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627 Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large selection of starters from garlic bread to calamari. Main courses include spinach caneloni, spaghetti alla carbonara, fusilli al salmone, and peppered steak to name a few.

Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday Munchies Cafe 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm, Sat 11am-4.30pm 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390 A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual Get Stuffed range of sandwiches on white or granary Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinks.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

l Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625 Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Sat Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers. Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Breakfast from 8.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solo Express Grnd Flr, International Commercial Centre & Eurotowers Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes (white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or hummous, avocado and roasted red pepper.

The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta, etc and are great value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes (such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout the day.

Eat-in available. Soups in winter. Free Wifi.

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town.

Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of!

Open: Monday - Saturday.

Three Roses 60 Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 51614 Charming, recently refurbished bar with a cosy, homely atmosphere situated just above Main Street (near Eliott Hotel). Offering lunch, tapas, special montaditos and several South African dishes such as Boere Rolls, the bar has three screens for live football matches. The Three Roses has a function room for booking at no cost and charity organisations are particularly

91

welcome. Monday nights Salsa dancing.

Open: midday - 11pm Monday to Saturday.

Sunday’s closed unless Chelsea are playing.

sandwiches, rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

Verdi Verdi 44 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 200 60733 Verdi Verdi offers morning and afternoon coffee as well as all home-made vegetarian and vegan dishes, fish, fresh baked bread and desserts. A wide selection of sandwiches to eat in or take away.

Open: Mon & Fri: 9am - 3pm, Tues - Thurs: 9am -3pm & 7-10pm, Sun: 6-10pm. Sat Closed

Pickwicks Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 76488 Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy, this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor’s Parade away from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, salads and burgers. Open: Mon - Fri from 9.30am Location: turn off Main St at Marks & Spencer, go up steps to Governor’s Parade (opposite the Eliott Hotel).

bars&pubs All’s Well Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987 Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area.

Named for the 18th century practice of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced ‘All’s Well’ before handing the keys to the watch. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast served all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod and chips and steak & ale pie are complemented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace.

Karaoke every Monday and Wednesday until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

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 Final Whistle 4, Cornwall’s Parade Friendly sports bar with six screens. If it’s live, it’s on, and often more than one game on at a time for full sports coverage. Fun atmosphere with special offers during premier matches. All sports fans welcome.

Open 10am until late, 7 days a week.

the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Terrace seating right on Main Street to watch the world go by. Open: from 8am (10am Sundays) until late.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 www.lordnelson.gi E-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to represent Nelson’s ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace Starter s& snacks include fresh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, Lordy’s potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con carne and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips. Try one of the salads or Nelson’s platters. Jacket potatoes, burgers and children’s menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music Venue of the Year, with live music on stage every night. Free Wifi. Open: from 10am till very late.

The Lounge Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 Stylish bar right on the quayside with very reasonably priced drinks and light bites. Free WiFi, quizzes on Sundays (7.30pm) and a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Great place to chill out. Open: 7 days a week 1pm-late.

O’Reilly’s Leisure Island, Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888 The Gibraltar Arms Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports cover184 Main St. Tel: 200 72133 age and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from www.gibraltararms.gi 9am). Guinness on draught. Food includes salGood food served all day at this typical pub ads, jackets, beef and Guinness ale pie, Molly’s right on Main Street. Everything from all day mussels, drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and pancake wrapped around delicioius fillings),

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 midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this small cosy bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal). Lunch/evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Home of Med Golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters club. Outside seating.

Open: from 7am every day. Located: first right off Main St (walking from N to S).

The Three Owls Irish Town. Tel: 200 77446 The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ground floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily. First floor ‘Hoots’ bar — two match pool tables, poker machines, darts board, bar — open from 5pm daily. Second Floor the ‘Nest’ — American pool table, poker machine, card table, bar — open from 7pm daily and also at weekends for the Rugby Union matches. If you are looking for a sociable game of pool or darts this is the place to be.

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast. Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Supporter’s Club.

Open: from 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 1am Friday, and from 11am - 1am Saturdays.

Pickwicks on Governor’s Parade

Tel: 200 76488 (opposite the Eliott Hotel)

The Best Sandwiches made especially for you as well as Jackets•Salads•Burgers and a whole lot more

open Monday to Friday from 9.30am

92

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

wine column

Christmas Ghosts Proust had his madeleine cake, St Paul was on the way to Damascus, Joan of Arc heard her voices; I cannot compete with any of these inspirational moments. But a glass of wine does bring back memories, is enjoyable at present and promises much for the future.

Christmas is a time for families and of course we all enjoy getting together with as many parents, children, and sisters and cousins and aunts as possible. It is a joy to catch up on the progress of Aunt Edna’s ingrowing toenail about which we had not heard since last year.

It is a delight to admire the growth, intelligence and (clearly deeply philosophical) gurglings of nephew George — and comment upon them at length to the proud parents. The monosyllabic grunts and Gothic appearance of cousin Kylie must be understood as a teenager’s difficulties in finding her place in the world; they do not result from a lack of decent education and stimulation at school and at home. And isn’t it a pleasure to hear about brother David’s new villa in the Caribbean — and sister-in-law Sally’s tinkly laugh as she describes once again how she crashed the Merc.

But I anticipate. Christmas past is best conjured up by that first-ever sip of a real claret — a Chateau Batailley 19…. but that would be telling. At once, previous tastes of wine, whether railway station ‘vino’ or some vin de table in a litre bottle with stars round the top smuggled back from a French corner shop, could be discarded as dross. They were the equivalent of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk compared to Suchard or Tommy Steele to the Rolling Stones. The world became a better place, my father assured me that other bottles of this sublime beauty existed, and never was such glad confident morning seen. I vaguely remember getting a few presents as well.

On Boxing Day morning, before the house was stirring after the exertions of the previous day, I crept silently down to the cellar, armed with a corkscrew. I opened a bottle as quietly as possible — the squeak as the cork came out seemed to reverberate around the house. Despite having been told that any wine must breathe, I glugged straightaway from the neck

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

of the bottle. It was the same sensation as yesterday. I glugged some more. Nothing, nothing in the whole of the rest of my life, could be as good as this. The house remained silent. For reasons still unclear to me I thought it necessary to practice singing the Hallelujah Chorus, which I was learning in the choir at school.

The rest of the tale need not be told; suffice it to say that my father’s tennis forehand was much improved by virtue of the extra training he gave the muscles.

Christmas present, with its attendant joys of the family as described above, can be borne — even improved — with a decent claret.

On Boxing Day morning, before the house was stirring, I crept silently down to the cellar, armed with a corkscrew Morrison’s have a St Georges (Medoc) at £16.95, Anglo Hispano have a wide choice with a Pomerol at £28 catching my eye. But do not dismiss a Rioja riserva, or even a South African cabernet/merlot. They may not have the fullness, richness and sheer zing of a Grand Cru Classé but at something under half the price that may be bearable and leave something over for the fripperies of Christmas such as presents for loved ones. Assuming that those same loved ones can manage with a new handkerchief and dishcloth (although there were hints of a complaint last year) there may also be the wherewithal to produce some port: Taylor’s late-bottled vintage (all retailers, about £20.00) is reliable.

What will Christmas yet-to-come bring? The one constant in all the changes has been the wine. Television has moved from a black and white blur, to the

latest James Bond film — in colour — to being unimportant compared to DVDs and games.

The turkey still seems to be a staple although Heaven knows why. Gradually, sensible people are returning to proper beef or goose. Presents are becoming more lavish and electronics govern even the baby’s rattle.

So in the future we may expect a form of personal plug-in entertainment: attach a sticker to the forehead and you will ‘see’, in your own mind, a book, play or film. The technology will have discovered how human dreams come into being and will use them. Food will be transferred electronically from farm to plate.

The boring thing about cooking is the preparation and timing, with the need to keep a clear space and a clean sink. On your computer you will mimic the actions of farming, shopping, preparation and cooking. This will then actually happen without you lifting a finger. (At present there is a farming computer game which seems to involve messages coming up on everyone else’s computer to the effect that a little lamb is lost — my attempts to direct this lamb into my oven have so far failed. But I am confident that it will soon be a reality.)

Presents will be imaginary or electronically real. Once Baby Jane has tired of her new doll it can be immediately transferred to Baby Susan rather than lie unwanted in a cupboard. Handkerchiefs and dishcloths will be recycled — as they are at present. Just the wine will remain the same. Unfortunately, vin de table will not be improved but there must be some low point with which to compare the high. No-one could wish otherwise, whatever else the future may bring. n

93

A ro u n d To w n .. .

Wow... what happened to 2010?

Where did all those month go? christmas is upon us and soon it will be New Year and 2011. There are loads of events planned for December including a wonderful Christmas Spiritual concert organised by the Gibraltar Philarmonic Society on 20th at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

The Gibraltar National Choir will be holding a Carols by Candlelight at 8pm on 16th December also at Holy Trinity Cathedral. There are Christmas Markets and Santa’s grottoes, the Scouts’ Christmas Gang Show and, of course, the GBC Open Day to look forward to. And for those hardy souls there are the traditional Polar Bear Boxing Day Swims at the GASA pool and Catalan Bay, all finished off by fireworks and frollicks on New Year’s Eve. And of course there are all the Christmas parties to attend in the meantime. We will all be ready for a rest by the time January comes along!

Congratulations one and all Congratulations first of all to Jamie of Fine Design and her partner Wayne on the birth of their little boy Adam last month. Birthdays this month include Marjorie of Fiduciary Trust, James Frendo on 9th, Alistair Locke of Cafe Solo and Steven Pardo on 12th, Rebecca Figueras on 17th and Deloitte’s Sarah Gomersall on 18th. Christopher Bruno of Just Consulting tucks another year un-

This photo and above: Virgin Vie party at Fifty-Five.

Maryanne with her raffle prize goodies

94 94

Jennifer Ballantine, Mario Mosquera, Mandy Gaggero and Claire Montado at the launch of the new Gibraltar Heritage Journal and calendar GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

der his belt on 20th as does Quad’s Bianca Yeo on 23rd; Newton System’s Ludovic Leroy gets another year older on 27th, and Joseph Benggio clocks up some more miles on 29th! Barbary Rock Adventure’s Chris Durante has to wait until January 3rd for his big day!

Big congratulations also to Angela and Chris White of Hassans who got married on the Rock last month.

And finally congratulations to Kane Sivers of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau who was awarded a diploma for exemplary service last month.

Well done Kane.

Keep those celebratory photos coming for this page folks!

Getting Bookish This month a few of our finest have released books in time for the Christmas stockings, including Sam Benady and Mary Chiappe (Fall of a Sparrow), Euro-MP Graham Watson (Building a Liberal Europe) and Ronnie Barrabich (The Memoirs of Arnold Barobiscio)... what a great effort, all adding to Gibraltar’s rich literary trail and well worth reading.

Office Parties If you want to get your office into a party mood nice an early for Christmas, support the Silly Office Olympics on December 8th. All you need is five team members who can be away from the office on a Wednesday morning and a great sense of humour. You’ll be taking part in (amongst other things) Chair Swivelling and Briefcase Hurdles, so you cannot fail to have a laugh while raising money for the Gibraltar Community Association. This even has been organised by FLIP student Anna Garcia and deserves lots of support.

This photo and above: Fancy dress at Savannah

Happy Christmas and a very Prosperous New Year Well that’s it for 2010. All that remains is for us at the Gibraltar Magazine — Andrea, Jolene, Kristin and Tina — to wish everyone in Gibraltar a very merry festive season and a happy and prosperous 2011. See you on Main Street.

Cheers!

Sheila’s 50th birthday congratulations Cafe Solo Erin & Kip

Priya’s leaving party at Cafe Rojo GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

Marie & Eddie’s 50th Wedding Anniversary celebrations

95 95

clubs&activities Arts & Crafts The Arts Centre, Prince Edward’s Rd. Art classes for children (5-6pm Mon, 5-6.30pm Tues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm9pm). Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am - 2pm.

Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer) -6pm (winter), Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

The Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society Affiliated to the UK NADFAS organisation meets third Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm at Eliott Hotel - lecturers & experts from the UK to talk on Art etc. Contact: ChairmanClaus Olesen: 200 02024 claus.olesen@sghambros. com. Membership Ian leBreton: 200 76173 ilebreton@SovereignGroup.com The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355 .

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm-11pm All welcome.

Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 - 11pm.

Dance Adult Dance Classes Wednesday evenings at the Youth Disco Room, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Cha-Cha, Salsa and Merengue. Lessons £5 and all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or dance@trainingtm.net Salsa Gibraltar Salsa classes held Tuesdays at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm, £5 per lesson. Intermediates 8.30-10pm, £6 per lesson (all profits going to the charity Help Us To Help Them). Contact: Mike 54472000 Email: info@salsagibraltar.com website: www.salsagibraltar.com Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome.

Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday.

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 78282 or e-mail manvio@ gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2 - 5.30pm.

All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop & Flexibility classes held weekly at Urban Dance Studio for Performing Arts, No. 2 Jumpers Bastion. Contact Yalta (54012212) or Jolene (54015125).

History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Lili 200 40035, 54006727 St Andrew’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@ hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with

96

Don’t be bored... do something fun! 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. Tel: 200 59818 Quizzes Cannon Bar quizzes are held on Tuesdays starting with a warm up, then two other quizzes, including a theme quiz. Starts at 8.30pm, all welcome and prizes are given. Free entrance but a donation to charity is requested. Tapas served after the quiz.

The Lounge friendly quizzes take place on Sundays from 8pm right on the quayside at Queensway Quay.

Social Clubs Scots on the Rock: Any Scots visiting the Rock can contact Charles Polson (Tel: 200 78142) for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm. Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm.

Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm. Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri/month 8pm.

Special Interest Clubs & Societies Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, John Mac Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome.

Gibraltar Philosophical Society devoted to intellectually stimulating debate. Frequent lectures and seminars on a range of topics. Contact 54008426 (after 6pm) or email gibphilosophy@ live.co.uk for further information.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at 8pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners’ Club www.hdcgib. com UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Creative Writers Group meet every Tuesday at the Eliott Hotel bar at 8pm. The workshop is run

by Carla, Tel: 54006696 and is aimed at learning to write fiction and non-fiction, for pleasure or publication. Each session is £5.00.

Sports Supporters Clubs The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check the game is televised. Great food for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For info call Mario on 56280000.

Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club meet on match days at the Casino Calpe (Ground Floor).

Gooners of all ages welcome. Tel: Bill 54010681 or Dion 56619000. Website: www.clubwebsite. co.uk/ArsenalGibraltarSC/.

Gibraltar Hammers meet on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome. For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or e-mail gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association club for beginners, juniors and squad at Bayside School in evenings. Tel: 200 Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA & EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441.

Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round leagues and competitions at various venues.

New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 200 72142 or Peter 200 77307.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory (200 75513 w, 200 42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/ Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training. Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.

Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages October-May. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly. Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates. Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front.

Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: 200 41795 or 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. For more information contact Sally Tel: 200 74661.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training sessions for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans.

Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April. Tel: James 200 72185 Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: RGYC 200 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participating. Tel: Mario 200 72622 or Charlie 200 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding.

Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not used for roller hockey training).

Tel: Eric 200 70710 (after 5).

S n o r ke l l i n g & Spear Fishing: Over 14s for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 200 75020.

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

Squash: Gibraltar 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.

Tai Chi: Children’s fun Tai Chi at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range, Saturdays 11-12am. Beginners Tuesdays & Thursdays at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre. 6.30-8pm. Adults £5, Children £2, all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or rocktaichi@traningtm.net Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Contact Charly on 56014000 or Paul on 54029749.

Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847.

Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, competitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-mail: gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk Clubs, Associations, should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine gibmag@gibraltar.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010

support

events

Support Groups/ Associations Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support group for single, separated, divorced or widowed people. Meet 8pm Mondays at St Andrew’s Church.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 6pm - 10pm.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@ cab.gi or visit 10 Governor’s Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge.

Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard’s Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month.

Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8 Serfaty’s Passage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group of those with compulsive overeating problem. Tel: helpline for details of meetings 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren.

Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meetings Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481. E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Marie 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence.

Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

Med Golf: Barclays Trophy Now after four events, the 2010 – 2011 Med Golf season is now in full flow and the top 10 is now starting to take shape, the latest competition took place at the super Dehesa Montenmedio Golf Course, just past Tarifa. It was a successful day for Jordan Brown who won the Barclays Trophy and a 100 Euro with a winning overall score of 36 points. Winner of the 1st category was John Hunter with 35 points, John also had the best gross score with 78 shots, runner up in the 1st category was Mike Cowburn with 34 points. Winner of the 2nd category was John’s youngest son Javi Hunter with 32 points and runner up was Jeff Richardson with 36 points. Winner of the 3rd category was Ann Hillerton with 29 points and runner up was Les Housley 24 points. Other prize winners for nearest the pins were Chris Warren, Keith Johnson, Kevin Jones and Mike Cowburn. Top team went to Matt Charlesworth and Jordan Brown with a combined 68 Stableford points.

The top senior player was youthful Chris Warren and the longest drive prize was won by Matt Charlesworth.

The next tournament takes place on Sunday 5th December at Alcaidesa Golf Club. For details or full schedule and the benefits of joining Med Golf please visit www.teetimespain.com or contact Johnathan Goodson mobile 56001055 or e-mail jg@medgolf.gi

Carols by Candlelight The Gibraltar National Choir will be holding ‘Carols by Candlelight’ concert on Thursday 16th December at the Holy Trinity Cathedral starting at 8pm.

Animus Gibraltar

Animus is Gibraltar’s latest Speedball and Woodsball team.

Comprising the strongest players from the original Rock Pirates and Reapers, Animus can be considered an All Star team. The former captains of Rock Pirates and Reapers decided it was best to merge teams to create a stronger, more focussed and experienced team, to stand a better chance of competing successfully with stronger teams from across the border. The decision to merge quickly paid off and they have been winning tournaments abroad ever since. Visit www. animusgibraltar.com for more information.

Religious Services Baha’i Faith Tel: 200 73287 www.gibnet. 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 • DECEMBER 2010

Special guest Soprano Claire Hawkins and the choir will be performing some christmas favourites such as Oh Holy Night, Adeste Fideles, Ave Maria (William Gomez). Also a special performance of a ‘Christmas Medley’ which has been arranged by Aaron Monteverde and recorded for sale with proceeds going to the GBC Open Day. Tickets £10.00 are on sale at the Arts and Crafts shop, first floor Casemates; Holy Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday evenings 7-9pm and from choir members.

For more information call 54831000. £10 price includes a gift from Father Christmas for children.

& 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

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.

97

information

A

dmission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle). Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Adults £10, children 5-12 years: £5, children age 4 and under free, vehicles £2. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times, tours available by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm). 50p per person to walk with no entrance tickets.

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It’s a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michael’s Cave: The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall.

A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an auditorium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael’s Cave and can be visited with a guide.

The Monkeys’ Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey’s Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe’s only free living monkeys. £500 fine for feeding the monkeys - don’t do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

of the earliest British building on the Rock.

Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad (“Gibraltar” is a corruption of the Arabic words “Jebel Tarik” - Tarik’s mountain). The part we see today, The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu’l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain.

Another recommended walk is St Michael’s Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds.

Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking.

Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket.

Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a

unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’. TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

per Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar.

UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm - 2pm.

John Mackintosh Hall.......Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Business Information

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission ......Tel: 200 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi Chamber of Commerce.......Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business.Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry...............Tel: 200 78193

Useful Numbers

Airport (general info.)..........Tel: 200 73026 Hospital, St Bernards..........Tel: 200 79700 Weather information.................Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update.......Tel: 200 42777

General Information

Gibraltar Museum.............Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am - 6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Exhibitions also at Casemates gallery.

Registry Office...................Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi............Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Up-

Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance.......................Tel: 190 Police...............................Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number...............Tel: 112

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one

History Alive

Every Saturday morning the Rock’s past is brought alive by a troop of soldiers in 18th century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at 12 noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a “Ceremony of the Keys” and then march back up Main Street to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.

98 gibraltarmagazine 98

Gibraltar Bus Company Routes

Public Holidays 2010

New Year’s Day Friday 1 January Commonwealth Day * Monday 8 March Good Friday Friday 2 April Easter Monday Monday 5 April May Day Monday 3 May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 31 May Queen’s Birthday * Monday 14 June Late Summer Holiday Monday 30 August Gibraltar National Day * Friday 10 September Christmas Day Monday 27 December (in lieu of Saturday 25 December) Boxing Day Tuesday 28 December (in lieu of Sunday 26 December) *Gibraltar Only Spain Fixed: New Year’s Day 1 January, Epiphany 6 January, St Joseph’s Day 19 March, Labour Day 1 May, St John 24 June, St James 25 July, Assumption Day 15 August, National Day 12 October, All Saints 1 November, Immaculate Conception 8 December, Christmas 25 December Moveable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station..........Tel: 200 75728 Police...............................Tel: 200 72500 Gibraltar Services Police: Emergency Nos: ....Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar.

Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

Natural History & Heritage Park

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2010 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

OUR LIFETIME TRACKER MORTGAGE GIVES YOU UNIQUE FLEXIBILITY

With a lifetime tracker mortgage from Barclays Wealth, you can enjoy our great tracker rates for the entire term of the mortgage. So you needn’t worry about finding another deal in the future.

Exclusively available for those living in Gibraltar, our flexible mortgage offers you: • No fixed term • Option to make overpayments • Ability to repay your mortgage early What’s more, you can also enjoy competitive rates of 2.99% (3.1% APR*) based on a loan to value of 70% or 3.49% (3.6% APR*) based on a loan to value of 85%.

To find out more visit us in branch or call +350 200 62681

†

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. AN APPLICATION FEE OF £995 APPLIES. *APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. Rates quoted are for residential mortgages only. †Lines are

open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm Saturdays, Sundays and UK bank holidays. Calls may be recorded so that we can monitor the quality of our service and for security purposes. Barclays will require a first charge over the property. Barclays Wealth is the wealth management division of Barclays and operates through Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Registered in England. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered number: 1026167 Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Authorised by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission to conduct banking and investment business in Gibraltar. Item ref: PP1177.