Gibraltar Magazine - August 2013

18 # 10 August 2013

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

the gibraltar magazine

gibraltar the

August 2013 Vol. 18 # 10 FREE

Jump for Joy it’s Summer!

Beauty in the Box Dream Destinations More Shades of Grey

Access Minister

A Deputy’s Story

Sound Factory Killer’s Fate Revealed

Deliver your business to the world with the International Specialists. ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ That‘s the Speed of Yellow www.dhl.co.uk/express Matrix Logistics Solutions Ltd (Sole DHL Gibraltar Representative) Unit 36 Harbours Deck, New Harbours, Gibraltar Tel: 200 72210 Fax: 200 78874 Email: GIBSN@dhl.com Opening hours Mon-Fri 08.30-18.00

With global know-how, With global it’s easier toknow-how, cut through. it’s easier to cut through.

When you have access to global expertise, navigating complexity becomes much simpler. At Barclays, the focal point is your dedicated When you have access to global expertise, navigating complexity Relationship Manager, who will channel the knowledge and skills of becomes much simpler. At Barclays, the focal point is your dedicated the entire Barclays Group on your behalf. They will diagnose needs Relationship Manager, who will channel the knowledge and skills of and relevant solutions for behalf. your business. they needs will the identify entire Barclays Group on your They willAlso, diagnose guide you towards opportunities for enhanced and help and identify relevant solutions for your business. returns Also, they will to mitigate against risk. guide you towards opportunities for enhanced returns and help to find mitigate againstcall risk.

To out more, our Gibraltar office on +350 200 41222* or Tovisit findbarclays.com/wealth out more, call our Gibraltar office on +350 200 41222* or visit barclays.com/wealth

Wealthand andInvestment InvestmentManagement Management Wealth

Barclays offers banking, wealth andinvestment investmentmanagement management products products and and services PLC and itsits subsidiaries.

Barclays Bank PLCPLC is registered in England and and Barclays offers banking, wealth and services to toits itsclients clientsthrough throughBarclays BarclaysBank Bank PLC and subsidiaries.

Barclays Bank is registered in England authorised and regulated theFinancial FinancialServices ServicesAuthority.

Authority. Registered Registered No. No. 1026167.

Place, London E14 5HP. Barclays Bank PLCPLC is authorised by the Financial authorised and regulated byby the 1026167.Registered RegisteredOffi Office: ce:11Churchill Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Barclays Bank is authorised

by Gibraltar the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission conductbanking bankingand andinvestment investmentbusiness business in in Gibraltar.

Gibraltar. *Calls inin the UK. Local rate applied.

Lines are are open 8am8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday UK UK Services Commission toto conduct *Callsdivert divertto toour ourServicing ServicingCentre Centre the UK. Local rate applied.

Lines open to 5.30pm Monday to Friday time, except on UK bank holidays. Calls may be recorded for training and security purposes. time, except on UK bank holidays. Calls may be recorded for training and security purposes.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007

18 # 10 August 2013

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

the gibraltar magazine

raltar

g

ibraltar the

August 2013 Vol. 18 # 10 FREE

Jump for Joy it’s Summer!

Beauty in the Box Dream Destinations More Shades of Grey

Access Minister

A Deputy’s Story

Sound Factory

18 # 10 August 2013

Killer’s Fate Revealed

Cover: Jump for joy it’s August!

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by Guide Line Promotions Ltd PO Box 1124, La Bayuca, 21 Turnbull’s Lane, Gibraltar Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

info@thegibraltarmagazine.com

Publisher/Editor: Andrea Morton Forde Copyright © 2013 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

contents Business & Finance 8 Business & Finance Guide 9 Go Green for Business 14 Funds Industry Update 16 More Shades of Grey 18 HR: To Suit or not to Suit?

26 A Deputy’s Story Music 29 Double Gold for Santos 51 Gibraltar Music Festival:

54 70

Sound Factory Pennies for your Thoughts Kudos for Nigel

Past Revisited 58 The Fate of Rock Killer

61

Revealed Gibraltar & the Beria Hoax

Regulars 68 Puzzle Page 69 People & Pets 74 Images of the Month 86 Around Town

@gibmag

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

18 # 10

Arts & Leisure 53 Kicking it with Phoenix 56 Rejuvenating St Bernard’s 62 Beauty in the Box 66 Dancing Gold 72 Art Smart with Ambrose Health & Well-being 40 Health Directory 41 Keeping mossies at bay...

42 45

naturally Valmont opens Spectacular smiles

Appetite 76 New openings 78 Keep it Cool 80 Food & Drink Directory 84 Wine Column: A Truth

48

features 20 48

Access Minister Dream Holiday Destinations...

Where’s Yours?

Home File 30

32 34 36 37 38

Mounds of Fun at Commonwealth Park Home Help with Meme Balcony Gardeners Property Directory Destination Inspiration Ask the Architect

Universally Acknowledged

Information 64 City Centre Map 69 What’s On May 90 Gibraltar Information 30

business

directory

financial services

accountants

business services

2013 Gibraltar

33 Main Street Gibraltar

business services

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

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

Dealers for

9A Cooperage Lane 200 77386 sales@bsgcomp.com

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

Computer / network giving you a headache?

Call us for a swift, reliable cure.

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

legal services Hassans Tel: 200 79000 www.gibraltarlaw.com ISOLAS Tel: 200 78363 www.gibraltarlawyers.com

Micro Business Systems Ltd

PO Box 661, Unit 102, New Harbours Walk, New Harbours, Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 200 42723 Fax: 200 40612 Email: sales@mbs.gi www.mbs.gi Providers of Records Management Services, Systems & Solutions since 1989

Did you know, we have a Gibraltar messenger service too?

We collect, deliver... and wait and return if required.

Save yourself time and money, call us

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

finance

business

Alexis Almeda, Alex Trinidad Sr, Paul Wharton and Alex Trinidad Jr.

Go Green for Business words | Paul Wharton

There is something to be said about the way in which people see their local environment, and take measures to impact what is done to protect it.

I’ve heard tales in the past of how refuse in Gibraltar has been thrown into the sea and the odd Morris Marina tipped over into the Strait at Europa Point because of a lack of facilities, without a thought to the impact this would have on the environment. I am pleased to say that things have now changed and it is hard to imagine going back to those days.

I don’t know about you, when I read about anything green, the story is always accompanied by a happy tale of an individual or team photographed smiling from ear to ear because they are doing their part to protect the planet. We all know that when you listen to your favourite music it causes the brain to release the feel-good chemical dopamine, so is there something similar going on when you “go green”?

I believe there is an element of truth behind this and I personally do get that good feeling when I feel that I am doing my bit to be green.

So what is this all about? When you look at

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

recycling, I think it must come down to the fact that you feel that you are playing your part in protecting the environment and this certainly has a fantastic feel good factor.

Staying on the subject of recycling, it is only in the last 20 years or so that EU legislation has been introduced to ensure that our environment is protected.

It is only in the last 20 years or so that EU legislation has been introduced to ensure our environment is protected

It was the perfect time for a company to set up in Gibraltar which could undertake the safe disposal of hazardous and toxic waste and ensure it was despatched without damaging our environment.

This month, I spoke to Alexis Almeda, Alex Trinidad and his son, Alex, of Environment & Waste Management Services (EWMS) about how they dispose of waste in Gibraltar effectively without causing harm to the environment.

The company first started when Alexis retired from his previous job as Chief Environmental Health Officer, and was looking to do something new. He worked in enforcement and that’s how he met Alex who worked as the operations manager for a large multi-national oil company in Gibraltar at the time.

Alex had barrels filled with waste oil sitting in a warehouse that could not be disposed of with household waste. Alex said: “Storing the barrels in a warehouse was definitely a fire

business

finance

risk, but what triggered a change was when an oil drum was found at a beach in Spain. We had environmental groups from Spain putting pressure on us as the barrel had the name of my company written on it.”

The business partners started working from Alexis’ home and looked at ways to export waste to Spain, and applied for the appropriate licence as well as the Transfrontier Shipment service to allow safe and regulated export of waste to other countries.

A year after the business launched, Alex retired from his job at the oil company and joined EWMS. The company moved their premises to Queensway Quay and acquired a storage unit at Devil’s Tower Road, and started building their team. They also sought companies in Spain who were able to offer the service they needed.

Alexis said: “There was a series of events that have led to our success including greater awareness and environmental consciousness among the population as well as the changes in EU legislation that was imposed on us.”

While they found they constantly had to adapt the business to keep up with changes in legislation, the business has also grown organically because of additional requests from clients.

The company first started with hazardous waste; it grew to include disposing of tyres and as a result of being asked to provide services for clinical waste. The Government put out a tender for the provision of clinical waste services, and when EWMS took up this contract, they were able to take on the contract subject to building a crematorium facility.

In 2008, the premises at Governor’s Cottage

in Europa Advance Road was completed and the new facility included a clinical waste incinerator, a crematorium with a seating area for 100 people and a pet crematorium.

Alexis, Alex and Alex work in a team of 10 members of staff to provide their services to Gibraltar.

They said: “We foresaw what was happening in Gibraltar, and we moved in that direction.”

When asked what can be attributed to their success, Alex and Alexis agree that it is a combination of circumstances and expertise; I agree to a certain extent here, although I am a firm believer that you make your own luck. Alex and Alexis saw a window of opportunity here and jumped straight through it.

If you are thinking of starting your own business, how do you identify these gaps and opportunities? I suggest that you look at your own particular knowledge and experience and

Their success, Alex and Alexis agree, is a combination of circumstances and expertise; I agree to a certain extent, although I am a firm believer that you make your own luck

think of ways in which you could provide an existing product or service in a completely different way. Let’s face it, it’s extremely hard to come up with an idea that is 100% original, and from my own experience, we can spend far too much time trying to do so, so my suggestion to you is to look at something that is already successful; this could mean looking at what people are doing in other countries and work out how you could bring that business idea to Gibraltar.

Now back to the EWMS business itself.

While it is still expanding and managed by the younger Alex, there is an increase in focus on the recycling side of the business. In the meantime, I will wait and see what changes EWMS will bring in the future, and make sure I keep doing my bit for the environment. n Paul Wharton is writing in his own capacity and none of the above is intended to express the views or opinions of Barclays Bank PLC.

Paul Wharton is Head of Corporate Banking at Barclays Wealth & Investment Management in Gibraltar having arrived on the Rock from the UK six years ago.

Paul has over three decades’ experience gained in various roles within Barclays, predominantly in and around London and is passionate about supporting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) market which he sees as the lifeblood of the Gibraltar economy. Paul has won several awards for his work in Small Business Enterprise markets and has served on the London Board of the Prince’s Trust.

Legislation:

New Compulsory Motorcycle Training From 1st September 2013, those applying for a moped or motorcycle learner’s licence will have to undertake a Compulsory Basic Training Course. The aim of the course is to ensure everyone receives basic instruction on safe use and demonstrates a minimum level of skill.

Module 1 Theoretical Training and Module 2 On Site Practical Training can be taken once the rider reaches the age of 16.5 years.

Module 3, which takes place on public roads, can only be completed once a person reaches the age of 17.

The training will be delivered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department and will include: • The essential training components to carry out the complete motorcycle CBT,

including the supply of motorcycles or

10

mopeds; • Instruction on the aims of the CBT and theoretical knowledge; • Instruction on practical on-site training; • Instruction on practical on road training.

The validity of Learner’s Licences (currently 3 months) will be increased to cover learners for 15 months, a move to reduce inconvenience to motorcycle learners who will no longer have to renew licences as often.

The Hon Paul Balban said “This is a part of the Government’s commitment to preventing serious injuries and accidents caused by inexperienced drivers. The Government hopes that the introduction of this course, which will be run by qualified motorcycle riding instructors who are approved by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department, will go a long way to reduce the number of accidents on the road.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

isolas-house-gibmag:Layout 1 10/19/12 5:21 PM Page 1

www.gibraltarlawyers.com

Moving House?

We’ll take care of all the legal matters to help make your move as easy as possible Contact Elaine Bingham at elaine.bingham@isolas.gi Portland House Glacis Road PO Box 204 Gibraltar Tel +350 2000 1892 www.gibraltarlawyers.com

key

people

Isola becomes Minister for Financial Services & Gaming Albert Isola is the new Minister for Financial Services and Gaming in the GSLP/Liberal Government following last month’s by-election.

After the by-election there was a minor reshuffle of portfolios which meant Gilbert Licudi transferred Financial Services and Gaming to Albert. Mr Licudi retains responsibility for Education, Telecommunications and Justice.

The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: “Gilbert Licudi has done an excellent job in both financial services and gambling and lotteries; he really has set a very high standard for Albert to follow.

“In 18 months, we have seen four new online gaming companies licensed and three more in the pipeline. This has meant over 400 new jobs. In financial services, employment has grown by over 200 already.

“Nonetheless, as we move into

12

the second half of the life of this Parliament, I wanted Gilbert to be able to concentrate on the huge legislative agenda ahead of us; as well as delivering the two new schools and the 700 berth marina.

“Albert’s skills enable me to relieve Gilbert of the Financial Services, Gambling and Lotteries portfolio. I am sure he will be up to the challenge of meeting the high standard set by Gilbert in these areas.”

The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia said: “Albert will now help us to deliver the manifesto commitments that the GSLP/Liberal made at the last general election which are our programme of Government for the remainder of this term of office.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

gibraltar

business

the

If you are a Sapphire Networks customer and have been advertising @gibnet.gi for your email addresses, you can publicise either @gibraltar. gi or @sapphirenet.gi which already work for your email addresses without having to change anything at your end. You will, however, have to change your email address in your email app otherwise it will continue to state your email address as ‘@gibnet.gi’ and your contacts could automatically reply to this email address when they click on ‘Reply’.

Farewell GibNet In a press release which began “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… we were GibNet, but back in July 2005 Sapphire Networks was born and took over from GibNet,” Sapphire announced that it would finally deactivate the GibNet domain on 2nd September 2013.

Sapphire Networks urge all their loyal customers who have been with us since July 2005 to review all their email accounts and/or hosted websites to ensure that the GibNet domain is not being referenced.

They also urged businesses or customers with advanced network equipment and domain servers to ensure they aren’t referencing GibNet. To help users with making these changes, they have set up a special support page at www. sapphire.gi/gibnetsupport. n

n ADVERTISE

The quality of a magazine reflects on the businesses that advertise within it. The Gibraltar Magazine is Gibraltar’s quality magazine — packed with great, readable content. We don’t have pushy sales people, so get in touch if you have a business or strategy to promote in Gibraltar. We will explain your options within your budget and help you with artwork if you need us to. We are passionate about what we do and about our home, Gibraltar.

n GET INVOLVED

If you are an artist with an exhibition, or a club or charity with an event coming up, we’d love to hear from you. This is a community magazine and there is no VIP area. Everyone is welcome to contribute so drop a line, send an email or phone us.

n GET IN TOUCH

We’d love to hear from you. Sometimes we get a bit lonely in our office, and we like to get letters, phone calls and emails with your feedback and photos. We might even publish the best so keep them coming. This is your magazine so get involved.

Email: info@thegibraltarmagazine.com Tel: 200 77748

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

Main Dealers

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

13

business

file more robust, as the risks identified by the FSC are discussed with professionals and action agreed on how best to mitigate these. We have, as a result of discussions with the Funds Panel, developed, for example, the Experienced Investor Fund returns, forms such as the external fund administrator form, and also discussed and developed various policies.

A lot of the Panel’s time recently has been devoted to the upcoming AIFMD which will shortly cover the regulation of managers of professional funds in Europe. This is a completely new regulatory regime in Europe, which will create further opportunities to market and passport services throughout the EU market.

Throughout the next year the FSC expects that discussion on AIFMD aspects will remain in the forefront as the impact of the directive changing the face of fund management and funds in Europe becomes clearer.

The Panel has also helped raise the FSC’s awareness of particular aspects of this directive that affect the local industry and we have had very productive discussions on some of the technical areas and how the directive fits with our current regime and market. It is felt that this continued collaboration will help overcome the challenges that the directive brings.

As a result of AIFMD the Panel will also be increasing its membership by 2 people. This is to include a further representative from the depositaries and one from the investment management side to obtain further input from 2 sectors which will be affected by AIFMD. I look forward to the continuing development of the funds panel and of ensuring that we continue to meet the right level between meeting our statutory obligations, such as protecting the public and the reputation of Gibraltar, and ensuring that we remain a competitive funds jurisdiction. n

AIFMD Now in Effect

Funds Industry Update words | Joanne Beiso, Head of Funds & Pensions Supervision, Financial Services Commission

EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) has been transposed into Gibraltar law and the legislation came into effect from 22nd July 2013.

It has been a busy year for the funds industry, not only in Gibraltar but across the EU and throughout the global market due to the upcoming Alternative Investment Fund Manager’s Directive (AIFMD) and other developments. These challenges are being met by the FSC working closely with the industry via both the Gibraltar Funds & Investment Association and the Funds Panel.

The rationale for this Directive is to establish commonality in the requirements that govern the authorisation and supervision of AIFM’s within the EU. AIFMD is a new regulation, affecting investment managers, particularly those within the EU but also those that are external to the EU and who wish to market their funds within the EU. It determines how such investment managers can conduct their marketing activity.

The Funds Panel was created during summer 2012 to act as a sounding board and initial point of consultation with the FSC on supervisory and regulatory issues relating to funds. In the Panel’s first year it has proved to be very useful for both the FSC and the industry. It has cre-

Minister for Financial Service & Gaming, Albert Isola commented, “This legislation provides Gibraltar with an excellent opportunity and competitive advantage which should provide for further growth in this key area of our financial services industry.” n

14

ated opportunities to debate issues faced and understand how they affect different service providers to funds, as well as understand and provide practical insight into the Commission’s development of regulation of the funds industry. This has helped make the fund product

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

file

business

Preferred QROPS jurisdiction poll ranks Gibraltar in 2nd place

A recent poll undertaken

by Skandia International, registered in the Isle of Man, Gibraltar has been placed second with 26% of the vote as the preferred QROPS jurisdiction in a survey of 141 international advisers who use QROPS.

Since specific legislation was introduced last year, Gibraltar’s Finance Centre Department has been highlighting the opportunities in this area and as the Skandia Poll confirms “in the space of less than a year, Gibraltar has come from nowhere to become a very strong QROPS centre”. n

Did you know, we have a Gibraltar messenger service too?

We collect, deliver... and wait and return if required.

Save yourself time and money, call us

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

15

update

tax

x a t tax

ta x ta x

finance

More Shades of Grey

Steve Bold and Tim Richardson of The Family Office Europe focus on the key points of David Cameron’s latest clampdown against tax evasion.

Prior to the recent G8 Summit, the leaders of the UK’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies met at 10 Downing Street for a series of talks. The leaders represented the ten so called “tax havens” of Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

It was announced that they have agreed to sign up to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters, an initiative led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”). It is hoped that this will result in the transparency and sharing of information between tax jurisdictions and a proposed register of Companies revealing the true owners.

Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have already agreed to some information sharing with the UK, but not with all other countries.

16

So what is a “tax haven” and what is their wrongdoing?

Widely perceived by many to be sunny locations for shady individuals and home to sleazy accountants, lawyers and tax advisors who collude with their clients to hide their assets and evade tax.

In the majority of cases this is far from the truth.

“Tax haven” is a label strongly disputed by the Crown Dependencies. They are generally rich states, countries or territories where certain taxes are levied at a low rate, or in some cases zero. As a result individuals and companies find it extremely attractive moving their affairs to these jurisdictions to reduce their tax. They create

tax competition amongst governments with different jurisdictions being “tax havens” for different types of taxes. The UK itself has long been seen as a tax haven for non-domiciled individuals and the Government is seeking to attract global companies by reducing the rate of Corporation Tax. David Cameron was recently quoted as saying “If you want a low-tax economy, you have to collect the taxes that are owed”.

As a reporter pointed out, what he should have said was “If you want to collect taxes that are owed, you have to have a low-tax economy”.

If the level of taxes that individuals and companies are required to pay are not considered offensive then

The UK itself has long been seen as a tax haven for non-domiciled individuals and the Government is seeking to attract global companies by reducing the rate of Corporation Tax

they are less likely to avoid paying tax, or going that step further to evade it.

Every individual and company has the right to structure their tax affairs in the most tax efficient manner. Just because they choose to do so by utilising the benefits of a “tax haven” does not mean that they are doing something illicit.

Whilst tax evasion is a criminal offence, tax avoidance is not.

As Lord Clyde famously quoted ”No man in the country is under the smallest obligation, moral or other, so to arrange his legal relations to his business or property as to enable the Inland Revenue to put the largest possible shovel in his stores...”.

However, the actions of large multinational companies, such as Starbucks and Google, is considered to be morally unacceptable by many, particularly in the current economic climate.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

update “Tax havens” can help make tax avoidance easier and therefore, provided they are not colluding in tax evasion, their only “wrongdoing” is offering lower rates of tax. Is this wrong? What is at the heart of all this is the growth of governments; the treasuries of the world are becoming needier and greedier.

There is much doubt whether these “tax havens” will actually sign up to the agreement, even if Government gets tough. There will be pressures from domestic business communities which may reject the plan because it would prevent them from saving as much tax as they do as present. If universally policed tax standard is created, it will be the poorer countries that will suffer because they are deprived of the capacity to attract foreign capital.

It’s a case of watch this space.

But, in any event, there would appear little to worry about for individuals or companies that have legitimately structured their tax affairs and are paying the correct amount of tax legally due.

The Family Office Europe has assisted numerous clients in structuring their affairs.

Qualifying Non-UK Pension Scheme (“QNUPS”)

One such structure which has approval from HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) is a Qualifying Non-UK Pension Scheme (“QNUPS”). Established by statute and bone fide, QNUPS have the same Inheritance Tax (“IHT”) protection afforded to traditional registered pension schemes, but with a number of other significant advantages.

QNUPS must satisfy specific criteria as determined by HMRC. They must be regulated and recognised for tax purposes in the jurisdiction where established and at least 70% of the fund used to provide the member with an income on retirement for life.

QNUPS are available to all individuals irrespective of age or residence, although it is recommended that UK resident individuals take specialist advice.

Advantages

There would appear little to worry about for individuals or companies that have legitimately structured their tax affairs and are paying the correct amount of tax legally due ● Income from employment is not necessary, and

● Can be funded by cash

contributions, contribution of assets in specie and transfers from International Pension Plans.

Growth ● No UK Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”),

● No UK income tax on non-UK source income arising from investments,

● No lifetime limits on fund size,

● Employer contributions are not advisable.

In summary, QNUPS are an extremely flexible vehicle for both UK resident and non-UK resident individuals to plan for their retirement, especially where they have utilised the maximum income tax relievable pension contributions.

The exemption from UK IHT and the other tax benefits make QNUPS a very attractive proposition.

Contributions to a QNUPS must be proportionate both to

an individual’s overall wealth and the requirement to provide appropriate retirement benefits.

Consideration also needs to be given to any existing pension provision.

Whilst a QNUPS cannot accept tax relieved funds a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (“QROPS”) can. The benefit of a QROPS over a registered pension scheme, amongst other things, is the flexibility of the investments that can be made, which whilst not as flexible as a QNUPS, is more flexible than a registered pension scheme. Separate advice should be sought in this regard. n The Family Office Europe has a long established relationship with the trustees of QNUPS, having implemented many such structures for both UK resident and non UK resident individuals/families. We would be pleased to discuss the suitability with you.

● No investment restrictions.

Benefits ● Transfers to QNUPS are

immediately exempt from UK IHT,

● Value of the QNUPS is exempt from UK IHT on death,

● Tax efficient in most jurisdictions

enabling the member to avoid local wealth taxes during their lifetime and succession taxes on death, depending on residence,

● Income can be taken from 55

years or deferred until 75 years,

● If resident in the UK only 90% of the income is taxable,

● Ability to take a 30% tax free lump sum,

● No requirement to purchase an annuity,

● No UK HMRC reporting requirements,

● Loans can be made to a

member, although the conditions will vary depending on the jurisdiction of the QNUPS,

● Assets held within a QNUPS do

not have to be reported on Form 720 – the new tax declaration form for Spanish residents.

This will depend on each individual’s circumstances, including Disadvantages residence and domicile status both These are far outweighed by the during lifetime and on death. The advantages, but still must be main advantages are:considered.

Funding ● Unlimited contributions,

be transferred to a QNUPS, and

finance

● No tax relief on contributions, ● Tax relieved pension funds cannot

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Steve Bold, Partner TFO Tax LLP

Tim Richardson, Managing Director TFO Europe

The Family Office Europe oversees and provides comprehensive private office services including wealth management, international tax advice, generational planning and high-level advice.

The Family Office Europe aims to help high net worth individuals and their families navigate through the shark invested waters that exist in any offshore jurisdiction, where often the man in the pub has the best ideas on how to arrange your affairs.

Central to the core belief of the founders is the mantra that clients should expect the same level of service, integrity, fee transparency and professionalism that they would expect to receive themselves.

The Family Office Europe, its affiliated businesses, TFO Tax Strategies Ltd based in Gibraltar and TFO Tax LLP in the UK, and appointed Advisory Board, are well placed to help with all these client concerns.

The Family Office 15 Irish Town, PO Box 1483 Gibraltar

TFO Tax LLP Peter House Oxford Street Manchester M1 5AN

T: +350 200 62084 F: +350 200 49290 info@tfoeurope.net www.tfoeurope.net

T: +44(0)161 209 3838 F: +44(0)161 209 3836 steve.bold@tfotax.net www.tfotax.net

17

human resources

To Suit or not to Suit...?

Q

With summer here, I am finding it very difficult to control dress code within my company, do you have tips on how this can be resolved?

Employees sometimes roll their eyes at workplace dress codes, claiming they’re too restrictive. Nonetheless, employers have a right to decide what type of image they want their company to convey; that gives them some control over their employees’ appearance as long as they don’t violate their rights.

Many workplaces have dress codes, particu-

words | Leigh Carnegie, HR Dept

larly workplaces in industries in which image is highly valued and workplaces in which employees have regular face-to-face contact with customers. Whether you are considering setting a dress code for an existing workplace or trying to decide whether your new retail store will require employees to adhere to a dress code, consider the broad benefits and potential drawbacks — like backlash from casual-dressing employees — of such a move

Customer Impressions

Having a workplace dress code in place will help shape the impression your business makes on your customers — a particularly important consideration if you regularly host client meetings in the office or if your workplace is a restaurant, retail shop, or other venue

involving constant interaction with customers.

A workplace dress code ensures that when your customers look at your employees, they see people who are dressed appropriately for the industry, which may boost their confidence in the business as a whole.

Employee Ease

While setting a workplace dress code may initially cause ripples of dislike in employees because it is a change from the usual no-code routine, a dress code may actually assist employees in the long term because it spells out specific expectations as to their dress and grooming. Thus, they don’t have to worry about whether they are dressed too casually or too formally — all they have to do is consult the dress code.

What you wear to work will depend on your industry and your role within that industry

18

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

human resources Problem Avoidance

With a clear dress code, you will help employees avoid making inappropriate choices in dress that could cause a safety problem or a company policy issue. For example, if the workplace in question is a warehouse, it would be a smart move to draw up a dress code requiring close-toed shoes or even steeltoed boots to reduce the risk of foot injuries. If the workplace is an office, specify details like a minimum skirt length and if short sleeves shirts for men or string tops for women are acceptable The importance of a dress code for professionalism varies somewhat by industry, but the correlation between the two is generally strong.

Some companies prefer to allow employees to dress freely or casually for comfort, which works in more creative work environments.

However, companies in which employees routinely interact with prospects, clients and business partners typically need a dress code to maintain a professional image. Small businesses may benefit by maintaining a strong professional image. n

A workplace dress code ensures that when your customers look at your employees, they see people who are dressed appropriately for the industry

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

How to Tackle a Dress Code Problem with an Employee Step 1

Ensure the dress code is clearly described in an employee handbook, this can be enhanced by using visual pictures of what is expected and what is not.

Step 2

Circulate a copy of the office dress code to everyone. This avoids singling out any one person and provides a reminder of the dress code, particularly for the problem employee. Emphasise that some inappropriate dress has been seen around the office lately and this is a reminder of acceptable standards.

Step 3

Schedule a meeting with the employee.

Give the benefit of the doubt — assume they do not realise their style of dress is inappropriate for the office. Talk with them about what you expect in terms of the appearance of your employee’s and how their current style of dress does or

does not fit into the current dress. Focus on some positive elements — “Those shoes are a perfect representation of what we are looking for when it comes to image” — and then explain what needs to be changed and give them a deadline by which to do it.

Step 4

After the deadline, reconvene a meeting to assess if the dress code is being adhered to.

If you can see effort extend the deadline to encourage more change.

Step 5

Give them a warning. If, after your meeting, the employee continues to violate the dress code, provide them with a written warning.

With this warning, explain what will happen if they continue to come to work in dress that violates the dress code. Also, explain what will happen if there is another violation following the written warning.

19

minister

20

profile

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

�eil �ost�

profile

minister

Access Minister This month we interview Gibraltar’s youngest MP, Minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport and the Port, Neil Costa, to find out more about his political influences, his decision to stand for Parliament and his plans for the future.

Neil Costa was just 28 when he was elected MP as a Gibraltar Liberal Party representative (he was Shadow Minister for Health and Social Services from 2007–2011) and now, sitting in his Ministerial Office aged just 34, it seems he has already spent a lifetime in politics, although his career began, like so many of our politicians, as a lawyer.

“The main difference I feel between being a lawyer and being a Minister is support. As a lawyer I acted on behalf of individual clients with whom I met, prepared all of the work and eventually attended court or settlement conferences — the pressure from the individual client, in my experience, was far greater and although I practised from within a firm, I could not really pass on my case to another lawyer to action and, in a sense, it was a lonely profession,” he explains.

“As a Minister, even though I work longer hours (and those who know me will tell you I did my fair share of weekends as a barrister) the pressure is not continuously as intense for the simple yet fundamental reason that I have a full team of professionals and support staff to advise and to assist me in delivering the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Government’s programme. Of course there are moments of intense pressure, there are always many deadlines and conflicting demands on my time, not to mention the monthly sessions of Parliament; but it is a lonely profession only to the extent that you are the person that takes the day-to-day decisions in your areas of competence and are ultimately responsible and accountable to the community, as it should be.”

And the reward for all that hard work and long hours? “As a Minister you are rewarded for the long hours by being able to actually make a positive difference in people’s lives when you are in a position to help them, effect the changes you consider to be beneficial for society and see manifesto promises being delivered — to an extent and being brutally honest, a vain self-belief that you can, in fact, better the world around you.

“Sometimes people see me walking out of here at 1am or getting a takeaway coffee on the weekends on my way to the office and ask me how I cope with being so stressed. The truth is, I am not. I think being a single mum on minimum wage working 9 to 5 or various jobs with little or no support is stressful; what

“

People see me walking out of here at 1am or getting a takeaway coffee on the weekends on my way to the office and ask me how I cope with being so stressed. The truth is, I am not...

”

I do, by comparison, is most certainly not. Yes, it is a labour intensive job but I chose to stand for election; no one put a gun to my head,” he says with a genuine smile.

What makes someone so young stand for the scrutiny and pressures of public office, we wondered? Neil explains that he was raised in a politically charged working class environment, with a Shop Steward mother who worked at Liptons and a father who was a stone mason.

“I grew up with my family in Laguna Estate,” he says. “It was a three bedroom flat and my aunt and uncle had one room, my grandparents another, and my mum, dad and I shared the other room.” The conditions were tight, but family life seemed richer then, he recalls. Aunts and uncles always popped in to visit and invariably discussed politics and shared their strong views on the issues of the day — they spoke about improving housing, working and living conditions and the closed frontier.

“Their views were mixed; from strong left wing to more moderate, some would now say, middle class opinions of the teachers and policemen in my family,” he remembers. Neil listened to them all as he grew up and formed his own views and developed a very strong interest in local events and issues.

During the campaigning for the 1988 election, when Joe Bossano led the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) to a resounding victory after many year of AACR government, Neil recalls a school teacher asking the class who they would vote for. “Every single one of us put our hands up for Joe,” he says.

“The thing that most made an impact on me after the GSLP were elected, was to open university to all students. I would have been able to go on the old points system, as I was lucky enough to pass my A-levels with three As, so whereas it was not a personal gain, it was an opportunity for all aspiring students of Gibraltar. I believed then that it was a visionary policy — one which, in my view, has directly resulted in our prosperity, thriving

21

minister

profile

economy and the vibrant private sector we enjoy today.”

Neil studied Law and Spanish at the University of Wales in Cardiff and, as his political thoughts matured, he become more liberally minded. When pushed to label himself he states he is “centre left”.

“The only reason I hesitated before standing for election is because I also love being a lawyer and I wondered if I should spend a few more years developing professionally. Some politicians talk about ‘sacrifice’ when becoming an MP or Minister, but I could not think of anything to be less accurate. It really isn’t a sacrifice at all — it is an excellent, well-paid job with many rewards; a privileged position in which you are able to effect genuine change.”

Following the GSLP/Liberal victory in the December 2011 election, Neil became Minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport, and the Port. The Alliance won the election with 49% of the vote and there are three Liberal Ministers — Neil Costa, Dr. Joseph Garcia and Steven Linares.

“The thing I am most proud of so far during our term in government is that we have opened the doors and become more accessible as ministers. That’s the way it should be and it allows us the opportunity for collaboration and discussion. I have stated in Parliament that I have moved amendments to Bills I have presented on the constructive suggestions of my Shadow, Damon Bossino. In my view, receiving and listening to input, not just from the Opposition but also from interested stakeholders, can make for better laws,” he states.

The second biggest change which Neil says he especially takes pride in is allowing professionals to do their jobs. “I don’t have an expert knowledge of all the areas in which I am involved except for commercial affairs as a lawyer in private practice, so I am delighted to roll up my sleeves and work with those in professional positions so that they can exercise their expertise. I take full benefit of their advice and assistance, which, in turn, enables the Government to deliver our manifesto pledges.

And for the future? How does Neil see the remainder of this term in office developing?

“We have already invested substantially

and extensively in the Upper Rock and we will continue that level of investment until it is of a standard that will make our visitors want to return,” he promises. Of the Port he says: “The Port is not just a source of revenue but of profit for the government. This Government has from the outset started to invest in the port significantly with the construction of an entirely new Port Building and Look Out Tower/VTS Centre.”

And other issues? “On a personal level, as my own family use the beaches from May until October and given the love of beaches by all of us, I am particularly proud of the improvements we have made to their infrastructure and the entirely new services we have rolled out this year; in particular, the accessibility project to allow access to persons with disabilities not just to Eastern Beach but to the other Gibraltar beaches too.”

And the business community? What developments should it look forwards to?

“We have been asked many times by the business community whilst in Opposition about setting up an Office of Fair Trading to promote and protect consumer interests, while ensuring that businesses operate competitively in a level playing field,” he explains. “I am pleased to say that the first draft of this vital

“

By the end of this term in office, however, I would like to see sustainable air links with Spain established and we are pulling out all the stops to try to see this materialise

”

piece of commercial legislation is ready to provide the legal framework for Gibraltar’s Office of Fair Trading.” Neil adds “It is also our plan to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ to make it easier for business people to access all the departments and services they need to. At the moment the services are scattered around and it can be difficult to get to the relevant department. Our one-stop-shop will provide a central point from where the paperwork is distributed to the various sectors.”

In fact, Neil says, the governing GSLP/Liberal alliance is committed to delivering the entire 2011 manifesto during its term.

Neil’s own stand-out achievement so far?

“Definitely establishing personal relationships with the leaders in the cruise and airline industries. They know they can always call me at any time,” he says without hesitation.

“During the rest of my term I would like us to break into the European market for flights and to create sustainable flights into Spain. I say ‘sustainable’ because there have been three failed experiments at creating an air link with Spain under the GSD and this has made my job in this respect more difficult — airlines are wary that they do not become the fourth failed link. The political rush under the Cordoba Agreement to establish an air link without the proper research into sustainability, has created problems for the Government. By the end of this term in office, however, I would like to see sustainable air links with Spain established and we are pulling out all the stops to try to see this materialise.”

On a final note Neil talks about the recent by-election following the very sad death of Minister Charles Bruzon, whom he describes as “Not your usual politician; he was an exceptionally kind and caring man.” He adds that he would have liked Charles to have been the one who handed out the keys to all those on the housing list, but the best way they can honour his memory is for this government to house every single person on the housing list at 9th December 2011 by the next election. It’s quite a commitment, but Neil’s enthusiasm for his role and his community shines through in any conversation, and it is hard to doubt that he will achieve everything he sets out to do. n

Lyana is New President for Rotary The Rotary Club of Gibraltar held its annual President’s Dinner at the Rock Hotel in July. Outgoing president Jennifer Stentiford handed over the chain to Lyana Armstrong-Emery for the 2013/14 year. After her farewell address, Jennifer presented two cheques from fund raising events held during the year; one to Dr Alan Lillywhite, Consultant Psychiatrist, GHA for KGV and the other to Emily Adamberry Olivero, MBE of the Clubhouse Gibraltar charity.

Lyana ArmstrongEmery takes the President‘s chain from Jennifer Stentiford

22

The event was well attended, with a number of distinguished guests including the Hon. Dr John Cortes, Minister for Health & Environment and his wife, Valerie; the Reverend Scott Brown QHC, Chaplain of the Fleet; Joseph Palmero, President of the Lions Club of Gibraltar and his wife,Maggie. Also present was Maria Vazquez from the Rotary Club of San Pedro de Alcantara, Spain and visiting Iceland Clubhouse Director, Ester Eliasdottir.

In her first address as the new Rotary Club President, Lyana ArmstrongEmery expressed the hope that the Rotary Club of Gibraltar and the local community will continue working closely together for the benefit of the Rock and its people. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

events

‘Aqua-park’ at Western Beach Described as the Rock’s first ever ‘aquapark’, fun is promised on the floating inflatable now in full swing at Western Beach. The facility is safe for the enjoyment of adults and children but the Gibraltar Tourist Board were keen to emphasise the correct, risk-free use of the new amenity and have posted signs containing common-sense safety precautions such as compulsory parental supervision of children below 12. The aqua-park was welcomed by beachgoers.

Jumping for Heroes...

Last month, Christine Borge and Ceri Owen sky jumped for charity at Peterborough Sibon Airfield in the UK.

Ceri now lives in UK and wanted to raise some money for Help the Heroes so Christine joined her, not only to raise more funds but to enjoy the experience.

“The experience was absolutely fantastic,” Chris-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

tine says. “Sitting on that tiny plane with eight other people including our cameramen... hearing that door open and everyone jumping out was the most exhilarating rush anyone can have. And hanging off the plane whilst strapped onto this gorgeous instructor... well... what can I say!”

The girls jointly raised over £1,700 in three months, and say they are grateful for all donations they received for a very worthy cause. n

23

AKIN’s water well project AKIN Sierra Leone project recently provided a brand new water well for the Kabala Amputee Camp Primary school (built in early 2012 with funds raised in Gibraltar). The well which is 10m deep will serve the community for many years.

Team Elementz takes Second in UK Nationals A team of young students from Gibraltar came second place at the Young Enterprise UK national finals held in London.

Judges at the finals held in Kensington Town Hall on Monday night were impressed with Bootz produced by Team Elementz — a water resistant overshoe designed to help keep your shoes and feet dry in wet weather and can also be easily stored away.

The company, which comprised eight Bayside Comprehensive School students, also earned the Financial Management Business Award, and Managing Director Stefan Valarino secured the Founders Leadership Award.

Stefan together with Jake Collado (Deputy Managing Director), Julian Lopez (Finance Director), Peter Sardeña (IT Director), Alain Pons (Operations Director), Kyle McCreesh (Sales Director), Francis Picardo (Marketing Director) and Aidan Borg (Deputy Sales Director) have worked together with Link Teachers Clayton Busto and Jonhenry Mauro, as well as the Bayside Coordinator Analise Benitez and their Business Advisor Susan Beresford.

Carlos Garcia, Chairman of the Young Enterprise Scheme in Gibraltar, said: “Firstly I’d like to congratulate Team Elementz on their achievement of second place in the UK finals.

The team worked together to produce an excellent product which certainly caught the attention of judges here and in London.

“On behalf of everyone involved in the Young Enterprise Scheme in Gibraltar, I’d like to say we are all very proud of Team

24

Elementz.”

In Gibraltar, the Young Enterprise initiative is supported by the Gaggero Foundation and a network of members from education and business establishments within Gibraltar.

Young Enterprise is the United Kingdom’s largest business and enterprise education charity, which helps around 225,000 young people learn about business and the world of work in the classroom, under the guidance of a network of 5,000 volunteers from 3,500 companies. Young Enterprise’s aim is to “inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise”.

Its guiding principle is to do this through “learning by doing”. n

Project coordinator, Jimmy Bruzon, commented “AKIN is a relatively small Gibraltar charity and we are proud to say that the combined team effort of people in Gibraltar is making a positive difference to the lives of so many needy children and communities in Sierra Leone. A small amount of effort and funding can go a long way and have huge impact.

“This type of project proves that you don’t have to be a large international charity or a UN agency to change the lives of so many needy people. We too here in Gibraltar can contribute to making things better globally.”

The water well is virtually maintenance free and parts are obtained easily in Sierra Leone.

Great to know the children will have access to clean, safe water for many years to come at the Kabala Amputee Camp school!

Help AKIN to provide more wells and schools to needy children by becoming monthly sponsors, your funds will make such a huge difference.

Thank you Gibraltar, you are making a difference!

More information on Facebook Akin SierraLeone Jimmy Bruzon or e-mail (jimbruzon@hotmail) or tel 57631000.

“

The team worked together to produce an excellent product which certainly caught the attention of judges here and in London

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

GIBOIL-ND-A4:Layout 1 7/25/13 1:00 PM Page 1

Celebrating National Day with you!

Simply fill up and collect your

FREE

National Day T-Shirt at either Winston or Montagu Retail Stations.

Limited stock available, first come first served • Min spend £15 of Fuel • One gift per fuel transaction

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

25

Alison MacMillan with the Guatemalan Ambassador and the Vice Marshal

The Deputy’s Story...

In this month’s interview Mike Brufal finds out more about the life of Gibraltar’s Deputy Governor Alison MacMillan. Alison took over from Lesley Pallet — the first woman to be Commander in Chief of the City and Garrison of Gibraltar when the Governor was away — in May this year. Alison MacMillan was already familiar with the Rock having previously worked at the Convent as Assistant Deputy Governor and says “it is the place in the world where we all feel most at home.”

Alison MacMillan, 52, was born in South Devon, educated at the Marist Convent of the Sacred Heart and then Torquay Girls Grammar School. Her over riding passion was the French language and she lived for a time in France perfecting her knowledge of the language. She studied French and qualified as a French interpreter from the Institute of

Alison with Clive Golt

26

Linguists. Her first job was working in France as a translator and she was then employed

by British firms working outside the United Kingdom.

Friends advised her to consider a career in the Foreign Office. She applied, was accepted and joined the FCO in 1982. Her first job was studying the esoteric Law of the Sea

She remembers being introduced to Prince Charles shortly after his honeymoon which started in Gibraltar and this was her first indirect association with the Rock

and, in view of her command of the French language, she was soon assigned to Francophone West Africa Department in the FCO. This was the only time her French has been used formally during her career. She vividly remembers being introduced to Prince Charles shortly after his honeymoon which started in Gibraltar and this, perhaps, was her first indirect association with the Rock.

In December 1982 Personnel called to ask two questions. Do you drive? and How is your Spanish? She replied in the positively to both questions although her Spanish was slight at the time. Speed was of the essence as she had to rush to Mexico City in time for the Queen’s visit in spring 1983. After this she was sent on an intense Spanish language course (over the years she has improved and today she considers her command of Spanish to be good enough to understand most of

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

career what she hears on the Rock).

Washington was the next posting where she remained from 1986 to 1989 covering Latin American affairs and dealing with correcting much misinformation about what was going on in Northern Ireland. Alison was moved to Boston where she was the Vice-Consul Press dealing almost exclusively with the Northern Ireland lobby. This was sustained hard work and she was looking forward to spending time in London but instead was assigned on temporary duty to Santiago, Chile from May until December 1990.

Promotion followed when she was appointed head of travel accounting, in London. One of her immediate tasks was to report to the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee about what percentage of the huge Foreign Office travel budget had been accounted for. This was a two year appointment from 1991 to March 1993.

Up to this point she had been posted to her various jobs but now, for the first time, she applied for a job in the Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua and needless to say she was successful. It was post-Sardinista regime and she was Deputy Head of Mission; previously diplomatic cover had been provided from Costa Rica. This post lasted three and a half years. Up to this time the idea of working in Gibraltar had never crossed her mind.

She met her future husband, Julian Lee, in Nicaragua, married him while on the Rock and they now have two children.

After Nicaragua Alison felt she should

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

take on a position dealing with the European Union as she’d had little direct experience of the EU, so she decided to apply for a posting that would provide the required experience.

A position came up and it concerned the UK and its responsibilities for Gibraltar’s relations with the EU. Sir Hugo White was the Governor when Alison arrived in Gibraltar in late 1996 and she found there was a huge backlog of legislation needing transposition into Gibraltar law.

She remained in this position for four and a half years during which she became fairly familiar with some of the more arcane pieces of legislation. This role allowed her to make contact with those in Gibraltar responsible

Her reward was promotion to head of the Gibraltar section at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

It was an unusual promotion but shows the high regard in which the Foreign Office held her

file

for drafting legislation and she says she enjoyed meeting a range of Gibraltarians in Government and local law firms.

Her reward was promotion to head of the Gibraltar section at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office — a fixed term posting of two years. It was an unusual promotion but shows the high regard in which the Foreign Office held her. These were key years for Gibraltar and there must have been moments when Alison was torn between her friendship with many Gibraltarians and her loyalty to her masters in the Foreign Office and indirectly to ministers.

Her next position was head of the Mexico and Central America section, also a two year term. At its conclusion she was granted a six month sabbatical and conducted research for the Global Leadership Foundation.

The Global Leadership Foundation was formed in 2003 and exists to make available, discreetly and in confidence the experience of former world leaders to today’s national leaders. It does so through its network of members, senior ministers and other distinguished leaders drawn together by a desire to give something back to the world. Working in small teams, in their private capacity, the members offer private and confidential advice to Heads of Government on any issue of concern to them. Governor Sir Robert Fulton, after he had left Gibraltar, was appointed chief executive.

Next she applied for the position of Gibraltar’s Assistant Deputy Governor, once again she succeeded and held this position from

27

career

file on arrival in the UK and are responsible for VVIP visitors to the UK. In the role, Alison was closely involved with the visit to the UK by Pope Benedict XVI. Alison took up her third posting in Gibraltar in May this year, this time as Deputy Governor. It is a rare occurrence for any diplomat to be so closely involved with one post during a career and shows just how deep and informed her knowledge of Gibraltar is. Her new appointment covers the handover of one Governor to his successor in much the same way as Lesley Pallet, her predecessor, did.

Alison had this to say about her time on the Rock: “Gibraltar is a very special place — geographically, historically, culturally — and it is always a privilege to serve the Governor in his role. As a family, we have always been made to feel so welcome in Gibraltar, it is the place in the world where we all feel most at home.” n

Alison greets Pope Benedict XVI

2006 to 2009. This was an interesting time in Gibraltar’s political history covering the new constitution, the trilateral forum, the working groups of the three parties to the forum and liaising with the MOD and other uniformed services in Gibraltar.

By this time all Foreign and Commonwealth positions had to be applied for and Alison bid for the much sought after role of Assistant Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and Deputy Director of Protocol at the FCO. The Assistant Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps is a member of the Royal Household and is the Queen’s link with the diplomatic community in London. The Assistant Marshal is a member of a large team which is responsible for the UK’s responsibilities to foreign missions through the Vienna Convention, and coordinates the attendance of foreign Ambassadors and High Commis-

sioners at all ceremonial events, including the annual Diplomatic Corps Reception by the Sovereign. They also accompany Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Buckingham Palace to present credentials

It is a rare occurrence for any diplomat to be so closely involved with one post during a career and shows just how deep and informed her knowledge of Gibraltar is Alison with the Ambassador of Togo

28

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

music

file

Double Gold for Santos Choir Gibraltar’s Santos Choir has won two Gold medals at the 1st European Choir Games, held between 14th and 21st July, in Graz, Austria — making them double European Champions.

Choir leader Christian Santos said “I am extremely proud that after months and months of hard work we can proudly say that we are the official double European Choir Champions in

Pop / Jazz and Gospel Spiritual.”

known as “Choir Olympics” – in Europe.

The European Choir Games is the continental version of the World Choir Games – formally

The Minister for Sports, Culture, Heritage & Youth the Hon Steven Linares, congratulated the Santos Choir, the youngest in the competition, commenting; “On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar and, indeed, the people of Gibraltar, I would like to congratulate the Santos Choir for their great results at the European Games.

“Receiving standing ovations even from the judges for their performances and then winning the two gold medals at the Awards Ceremony, both in the Gospel and Pop sections, is an outstanding success!

“Congratulations to Christian Santos and everyone involved for the many hours of hard work and dedication and for making Gibraltar extremely proud.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

29

Mounds of Fun at Commonwealth Park Diagrams and artists’ images of the new Commonwealth Park were presented last month by Mark Gregory, Managing Director of Landform Consultants, an award-winning landscaping consultancy based in the south of England. The plans include walkways, a lake and grass landforms to provide “interest with multifunctional uses for play or relaxation”. News also emerged that Commonwealth Park needs about 3000m3 of soil for planting of trees and shrubs — which we are currently manufacturing locally.

30

Usually soil would be imported from Spain however, due to several concerns including the environmental impact of the extraction process and subsequent transport, the Government engaged a specialist soil consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates, who specialise in Soil Science and Landscape Engineering. They suggested manufacturing our own soil using resources in Gibraltar.

Suitable material, from various building sites, has been stockpiled and chemically tested to follow a precise recipe to provide a match for subsoils already present at Commonwealth Park and ensure plant and tree species imported are suited to specific soil profiles.

The manufacturing process began in June. Material is loaded into a crusher/screener that sieves it. The fine material is collected and taken to a soil compound. Larger stones are crushed, then collected for use as fill and drainage layers on the site.

Two types of soil are required topsoil and subsoil.

The topsoil has organic material incorporated by mixing in well-rotted manure, imported from Spain (scheduled for September), in proportions specified by the soil-manufacturing recipe.

This process not only reduces the carbon footprint of the park but also makes Gibraltar more self-sufficient in recycling material which would otherwise have ended up in landfill for a constructive project. n

The Sun: Our Own Natural Resource words | John Clifford, Director, Cocoon Renewable Energy Consultants

As I put pen to paper, yet again here in Gibraltar we have had another day suffering the inconvenience and disruption that the ongoing power failures continue to cause.

The loss in revenue to businesses is a substantial one. The high street shops suffer, our buoyant financial sector suffers, industry suffers, we all suffer.

We as consumers have a choice as to how our electricity is generated. We can choose to use energy generated by power stations which burn fossil fuels at an alarming rate which will only

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

continue in an unstoppable upward spiral as the emerging power houses of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa gain momentum, or we can choose to generate it through renewable energies such as photovoltaics and solar thermal to name just two of the renewable energy technologies available to us today.

Here in Gibraltar one would assume that we have no natural resources, this is the wrong assumption. We have a natural resource that for the next few billion years is very unlikely to be exhausted, we can harness it and then generate our power needs from it, it can keep us warm on cold nights, it can keep us cool on warm nights, it can provide heat for our bath water, it can provide lighting and power in our hospitals, it’s the brightest star in the sky, and it is called the Sun. I don’t for one minute believe that all of our needs can be met overnight by renewable energies, but it is paramount that we consider, choose and begin to introduce these technologies now if we are to stand any chance of changing energy platforms before

We as consumers have a choice as to how our electricity is generated it is too late.

The disruption to the electricity supply is an inherited one. It is an issue that affects all of us and all of us are responsible for its change. I believe that a combination of energy platforms is what we need in Gibraltar right now.

But first we have to agree on one thing, and that one thing is that there has to be a multi party agreement and policies put into place for the future generation of renewable energy.

During this and successive governments’ terms we need to pursue and implement these policies with all our financial and political might, bearing nothing else in mind but that the future generation of our power requirements are achieved and are achieved in the timeframe set out in the EU directives on renewable energies or, better still, we achieve them before the target set out of 2020. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

31

Home Help Your decorating dilemmas answered

by Meme Fairbank of Denville Designs

ASK MEME email your interior design questions to meme@denvilledesigns.com or write to her at 62 Engineer Lane, Gibraltar

Is your home in decorating crisis?

Do you need help to tame the interior chaos?

Meme is here to tackle all your decorating, furnishing and style problems.... One room at a time.

Q

I live in the

penthouse

of Quay 27

and have windows all around my living area, but I have one small window that doesn’t open. I can’t clean the outside of it as I live on the top floor and it always looks dirty.

I don’t want to cover it with curtains or a blind because it is too small.

Any ideas?

Linda, Quay 27

Q

I have a really large

bed and can’t find any

headboards to match

my bedroom or find the correct size. Can you help me?

Laura, Ocean Village No problem! You can have any height or width headboard, in

the fabric of your choice to match your bedroom, or in any wood finish, as we can recommend great carpenters to do this its easy.

If you have pictures, the headboard can be made to that design in the measurements you need.

Because you have so many functional windows.

And your living room is so light, I would place a made-to-measure mirror in the small area and then place an ornament on the window ledge still giving the affect of light without the dirty look!

Q

My office area is in my

lounge and I hate it looking

a mess when guests come

around. Any tips on how to make it look tidy cheaply?

Paul, Ocean Heights A great idea that doesn’t cost much money is to buy files or storage boxes all in the same colour to match your living room decor (whites and neutrals look good). You can place all your paperwork in these and people won’t see it as a mess. Keep one large flat box on the table or desk for current projects and your laptop/pens (see photo).

Or you could buy a home office system — a piece of furniture that opens out as a desk/storage and then closes up again hiding the office space away.

This is a more costly option but might be worth it if you have a lot of stuff to store. Ask your furniture supplier as there are many options available.

32

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Q

I would like to

decorate my son’s

room, but need some

advice on what colours and style of furniture to use so he won’t outgrow it too quickly.

Martin, Anchorage I love using denim fabrics with reds for boys. These colours work really well for young and older boys, as many places like Marks & Spencer and BHS have a large selection of bed linen to match. They

home ideas also match up well with Union Jacks and American Stars and Stripes. Investing in good quality modern oak furniture is great for boys, doesn’t date and can go with any colours used. A large global wall map is great for all ages.

I also like to place posters or special cards in large simple glass frames instead of hanging posters on the walls. It gives a real smart look and saves any treasured signed posters from getting damaged.

Q

I have my living room

all in cream and I want

to know what to do

with one of my plain walls to create a feature wall?

I suggest wallpaper, especially the textured 3D wallpaper, which is great to make a feature.

A nice idea if you don’t want to

use paper is to paint the wall a darker shade then place three decorative mirrors randomly. Or you can place one large mirror on the wall.

I also love using family photos blown up on canvases for a modern home. If you want to keep it natural looking, have them printed in black & white or sepia.

Denville Designs 62 Engineer Lane, Gibraltar | Tel: +350 200 74231 | www.denvilledesigns.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

33

y n o c l Ba s r e n e d r a G property

grow it!

M

ark, who lives in Watergardens, has a veritable feast growing on his terrace and some more unusual plants.

“Swiss chard — acelga — grows really well and I plant them inside half a pallet (the ones used by forklifts). The plants do really well in those,” he explains. “All I do is line the pallet with the porous material you can buy in most garden centres to prevent excess growth of weeds.

I have found that small melon varieties and pumpkin also thrive in pallets. The huge advantage of growing your own pumpkin, courgettes etc is that you can use the large yellow male flower which is edible,” he adds. “Delicious in tempura batter and I’ve never seen them in a shop.”

The most commonly grown vegetable in Gibraltar from the responses I received, are tomatoes.

It seems they are springing up all over the place, in pallets, in pots in grow-bags and in gardens.

“Nothing like tomatoes that you pick up at the precise moment of ripeness and even if over ripe fantastic for sauces,” says Arturo of the Upper Town, who is lucky enough to have his own little veg-

34

etable patch.

In fact, the problem many seasoned balcony gardeners I spoke to had was, what to do with the excess tomatoes at the end of the summer? “I ended up with many more than I could use over the summer and decided to freeze whole cherry tomatoes and make sauces with the other varieties.

It seems despite the limitations on space and gardens in Gibraltar, the Rock is full of dedicated growers of fruit and veg. I am fortunate to have a tiny garden on Town Range in which I nurture organic herbs, tomato plants, lettuces, chillies and raspberries. Recently I posted a photo of my haul of tomatoes that day on a social media site and was delighted to find that all over Gibraltar little pockets of greenness exist in the most surprising places.

I didn’t regret it,” says Luis of Marina Court. “The cherry tomatoes were also wonderful straight from frozen when making tomato sauces.”

Barbara is gowing grapes on her terrace in Rosia and says “Grape vines attach themselves easily but you can help by adding a tall trellis. The pot needs to be tall but

no need for it to be too big. The grapes taste wonderful and the nice thing is you can pick one as you go past it — that’s the most enjoyable bit!”

There is nothing to compare to the taste of you own freshly picked herbs and most people have space for a few pots here and there.

Maria in Ocean Village says mint

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

property is the easiest and most prolific in summer making the most wonderful Mojitos! Maria also grows basil and chives on her terrace.

Another basil and tomato grower is Louise of Town Range who says her basil is going wild and the more she picks the more it seems to grow. “It’s great for freshly made pesto,” she says. Louise also has a bay tree and her rosemary is doing very well in a light but shaded spot — so well she will be freezing some for roast dinners in the winter.

Large pots containing a lemon, lime, orange or fig trees can be planted with herbs around the stem too. Using every available bit of space in your mini ‘garden’ is the key to variety.

It’s a good idea to put something in the pot that will scare birds away though like colourful wooden sticks or a kids toy — action figures are good here!

Strawberry plants do well on sunny windowsills if your outdoor space lacks sunshine. “A few years back I planted strawberry plants inside old thick woolly socks — just cut a hole half way down

“

the sock, fill it with earth and stick the plant inside!” says Maurice of Harbour Views, who is obviously a wiley indoor gardener. “You can hang them from a clothes line with a peg in a window. To water just dunk them into a bucket of water with some tomato feed. As they grow the strawberries don’t touch soil and are always clean.”

Maurice also grows chillies and, like me, puts his excess chillies from his windowsill plants into olive oil. I add crushed garlic and feta cheese for a fabulous spicy salad treat.

Rosie, of Town Range, tells me she is trying a variety of round carrots this year. “I figured that as we don’t have much depth in the pots, they might do better than the long varieties.” She has promised to update me on their progress.

I was amazed to learn the sheer variety of produce being grown in Gibraltar by our balcony gardeners, and it has certainly inspired me to try some different things.

Go on, give it try. It is strangely addictive and uniquely pleasing to eat fresh home grown food. n

A few years back I planted strawberry plants inside old thick woolly socks

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

”

Swiss Chard growing in half pallets in Watergardens

Tomatoes ripening in Town Range

35

Yacht Scene 2013

Order your copy now!

Order Yacht Scene Sailors’ Guide: £5.00 + p&p (£8.00 total)

y

ACHT SCENE ltar Gibra

SAILORS’ GUIDE • 2012

Please send a cheque made payable to Yacht Scene to

las l At s da Ti Table n • nce ns tio Pla ma Dista ur rbo s• ble Ha Ta a & rin Ma

for

£5.00

l In

Yacht Scene • • Sailors’ Guide 20 2

36 36

Lo

ca

de

Ti

Yacht Scene Sailors’ Guide, PO Box 555, Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• AUGUST AUGUST 2013 2013

home file MOROCCO

Destination Inspiration

This is the time of year when we are all returning from our holidays with inspiration for our homes and nick-nacks, paintings and ideas for livening up our decor.

Just across the Strait, Morocco is a wonderland of colourful ideas to add a touch of the exotic to our interiors and our own Moroccan community imports lots of goodies which are sold locally.

At this time of year we love the cool cobalts and royal blues which seem to contrast so fabulously with the rich tones of Moroccan soil and have influenced the Andalucian style which we often borrow from.

Buy items locally or plan a weekend away soaking up the Kasbah chaos. n

MAN & VAN

IKEAN Tel: 54008299 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

• Removals • Collections • Deliveries • IKEA Runs • Clearances You name it, we move it!

37

Ask the Architect Your structural and design questions answered by Ruth Massias Greenberg of Gamma Concepts www.gamma.gi

Q

I want to change the usage of my office to a retail unit. What is my obligation with regards to town planning?

Changing an office to a retail unit requires

Q

I want to construct an

extension to my property. Do I need

an architect to prepare/ submit plans, or can anyone do it?

In Gibraltar and the UK, unlike in Spain and France, you do not need to be a chartered architect to submit plans. There are, however, many advantages to having a chartered architect prepare your drawings.

By way of introduction, and in order to define the term “chartered architects”, people who qualified and chartered in the UK will be registered with the ARB, a body set up by Parliament as the independent UK regulator of architects (Architects Registration Board: see

38

ASK RUTH email your architectural questions to ruth@gamma.gi

Looking to make structural changes to your home or office? Need design advice? Want to know what you can and can’t do? Ruth is here to answer your architectural questions

a planning application, as it is considered a change of use. Planning laws in Gibraltar, and similarly in the UK, categorise uses of land and buildings into various “Use Classes”. For instance, an office would be classed under category B1, and a shop under category A1. Before

signing a tenancy or purchase agreement for the property, you should check whether or not your intended use for that property can be allowed.

On a side note, you should also ensure that any management companies or owners of the property are informed, and are happy for the change of use to proceed.

Additionally, you should check that the property lends itself to its intended future use. Things to consider are: Access - This would include easy access in general, making the retail unit more appealing; and more specifically, disabled access.

Fire escapes - You may require more if the intended use is to be retail, as the density of people will be predicted to be higher than in an office. Additionally, it is sometimes considered that the employees in an office will be more familiar with escape routes, and hence a more lenient stance is sometimes taken (but always check with a fire officer).

Location - From a commercial point of view, is it in the right location for a retail unit?

Design - Consider the current design of the place, and the extent of work required to make it look like an appealing retail unit. n

www.arb.org.uk for list of registered architects) and to protect the term “architect”. In the UK this is a legal body, with which you are legally required to register in order to use the term “architect”. Other European countries have similar registration bodies which comply with EU directives in order to protect the term “architect”. In Gibraltar such a law comes under “Employment (Architects) (EEA Qualifications) Act”.

There are many advantages to

In Gibraltar you do not need a chartered architect to submit plans GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

using chartered architects. Firstly, you will have the protection of their professional bodies, for example the ARB. If anything goes wrong, or you are unhappy with the service they provide, you will be able to lodge a complaint, and the architect may be penalised with a fine and/or (in extreme cases) struck off the register.

Additionally, chartered architects are required to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) to keep up to date with the latest developments in the field. This is definitely an advantage for your project. Regis-

Q

I live in the upper

town and I am

refurbishing my

property. One of the conditions of the planning permission is that the replacement shutters must be made from timber.

I can understand this from a heritage point of view but I would prefer to replace these with aluminium shutters as they are much cheaper. What do you advise?

When assessing any expense, it is best to look at it from a lifetime cost point of view.

There are more factors to take into account than the heritage aspects alone.

Remember that aluminium is a good conductor of heat, and may have the opposite of the intended effect, by heating up your living space when a breeze blows through the louvres, acting very similarly to a blower radiator (especially when you have the shutters closed and windows open).

You may then find that you will resort to closing the windows and switching on the air conditioning more often, which as well as defeating the object of the shutters, has an incurred

tered designers may also undergo CPD, but by using a chartered architect, you have a guarantee that this is the case.

Another thing to look out for is to ensure that the architect or related professional you employ has the relevant insurance to do the work. This helps to prevent problems should anything go wrong during construction, or other factors emerge which may affect your own property insurance.

For more guidelines on employing an architect, and the selection process, I suggest you visit the RIBA website. n

advice

building

Timber shutters will not absorb as much heat and keep your living space cooler cost and environmental impact.

Aluminium also uses a lot of energy to produce, and is not biodegradable.

Timber shutters, on the other hand, will not absorb as much heat, and will therefore work more efficiently in keeping your living space cooler naturally. If sourced from sustainable forests, they will also be ecologically sound.

Although timber shutters may require more regular maintenance, you can minimise this by going for top-grade timber, and ensuring that it is treated correctly. It may even be easier to repair and re-paint timber shutters than it is aluminium ones, although high-quality powder-coated aluminium products tend to last upwards of ten years.

In brief, before considering seeking a relaxation of the condition from the Planning Commission consider that there are advantages and disadvantages to timber and aluminium beyond the heritage aspects. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

39

health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

Your Family Chemists

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

McTimoney Chiropractor 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 40026

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

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

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

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

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc, DC Steiner Chiropractic Clinics, College Clinic, Regal Hse Tel: 200 77777

Counselling

Patrick Gabay AQA Adv Dip in Counselling Tel: 200 59955 / 54014124

Health Clubs

Atlantic Suites Health Club & Spa Tel: 200 48147

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

HEARING CENTRE

Oigamas Hearing Centre Unit S3h 2nd Floor, ICC Casemates Square Tel: 200 63644 Email: info@oigamas.com

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

PERSONAL TRAINERS

Now at Unit F5, 1st Floor, ICC Isabella Jimenez, Sports Therapist (BSc Hons) Tel: 54002226 Email: sportongib@gmail.com

Simon Coldwell Complete Fitness Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Tel: 200 51113 Isabella Jimenez BSc (hons) Unit 5, 1st Floor, ICC Tel: 54002226 email: jimenez.isabella@gmail.com

Need somebody to talk to?

Physicians

Dr Norbert V Borge FRCP (London) 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel/Fax: 200 75790 College Clinic, Ground Floor, Regal House, Queensway.

Tel: 200 77777 www.collegeclinic.gi

Primary Care Centre 2nd Flr International Commercial Centre Weekend & Public Holiday Opening Hours (use Irish Town entrance) Saturday: 9am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm Sunday & Public Holidays: 10am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm

40

SPECIALISTS

7 days a week 5pm-9pm

College Clinic, Ground Floor, Regal House, Queensway.

Tel: 200 77777 www.collegeclinic.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

well-being health

l

essential oil — it smells great and mosquitoes detest it. It’s best diluted in a light carrier oil like sweet almond then sprayed on your skin.

According to studies, Neem oil or neem seed oil is more effective than DEET as an insect repellent — results confirmed by scientists at the Malaria Institute in India (where the plant is native) and in research cited in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association.

If you hate mosquitoes but don’t mind attracting the odd drooling feline friend, Catnip, the essential oil found in the herb catnip, is about 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes.

�ere’s health

Keeping Mossies at Bay... naturally Up to 15% of the insect repellent DEET is absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream when applied topically. Toxic effects of this chemical include reproductive disturbances, genetic material mutations, and central nervous system disorders.

With this in mind, we’ve searched for some natural alternatives which you can use to make mosquitoes fly away in terror instead of feasting on your skin.

Most people know about Citronella—the old favourite available in candles and oil burners for the house and garden, but you can also use

Organic soy oil — research has shown that repellents made of the oil are as effective as DEET-containing repellents. An excellent skin moisturiser, soy oil is inexpensive and easy to find, and can be used as a carrier oil for the other essential oils too. A double mosquito whammy!

One of the few downsides to our glorious summers on the Rock is the presence of mosquitoes in our bedrooms, on our picnics and while dining outside.

But before you reach for the DEET-based repellents, consider using a natural option instead.

The Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine has published research which shows that black pepper (Piper nigrum) is effective in repelling mosquitoes — don’t grind it over yourself, use the essential oil!

To make a mosquito repellent, mix 30 drops of essential oils (you can mix them together to create a smell you like) into about 30ml of organic soy oil (use an unscented moisturiser instead if you don’t like an oil base).

Place the oil into a spray bottle and apply before you venture out. Do a 24-hour skin test to be sure you are not sensitive to the oils.

the pure essential oil (not fragrance oil) on your skin (as with all oils test on a small area to see if you are sensitive to it first). It can also be used for conditioning oily skin and hair.

Garlic—with our delicious abundance of Mediterranean food in Gibraltar most of us eat more than our fair share of garlic anyway, but eating lots of fresh garlic has the added advantage of keeping the mosquitoes away (just like blood sucking Vampires, they hate the stuff).

If you prefer to smell good to humans while keeping the mossies at bay, try Lavender

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

41

health

& well-being

The Governor Sir Adrian Johns cuts the ribbon to the Valmont Swiss Beauty Spa at the Specialist Medical Clinic in the ICC, opened by Carole Sharrock and Susan Rhoda. Also in the picture are Lady Johns and Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, Justine Picardo, plus a representative of Valmont Switzerland

Valmont in the ICC A champagne reception was held last month to herald the opening of the exclusive Swiss spa by Valmont at the Specialist Medical Clinic on the first floor of the ICC. The spa, run by Susan Rhoda and Carole Sharrock is offering anti-ageing treatments using the exclusive Swiss Valmont range of products.

Tel: 200 49999 to make an appointment.

42

Photos: just a few of the guests at last month’s opening of the Valmont Swiss Beauty Spa

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

well-being &

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

health

43

well-being & beauty

SM Seruya staff with Deepak, Arian and Daniella of MAC make-up, and ex-Miss World Kaiane Aldorino at the opening event in July

Last month MAC make-up opened its first retail outlet in Gibraltar at SM Seruya, 139 Main Street.

MAC on Main Street photos: Carlos Ruiz

MAC make-up is now available in Gibraltar from within SM Seruya, 139 Main Street. The large counters and display walls right at the front of the store are filled with MAC products and created quite a buzz amongst discerning make-up buyers on opening day in July. Make-up artist Deepak Ramchandani will manage the new MAC area, along with his team, Arian and Daniella, who have all been specially trained by MAC to help customers in choosing the right product for their skin tone and style. n

Vicki Jones, MBACP, BSc (Hons) Psychology, PG Dip Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy

Vicki Jones is an experienced psychotherapist who has highly successful outcomes working with people suffering with a variety of anxiety disorders including panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, specific phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder. She also treats those suffering from low self-esteem, relationship problems and anger issues.

She offers an individually designed intervention to suit the requirements and specific problems of each person. Please consult Vicki’s website at www.anxietytherapist.co.uk for further information.

Therapy sessions are conducted via Skype in the comfort of your own home. Quote ‘GibMag’ for introductory offer.

As Vicki is based in Gibraltar and central England, face to face counselling sessions are available in those areas.

Please contact Vicki via email: Vicki_jones1@sky.com or leave contact details on Skype vickijones4 to arrange your FREE consultation.

44

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

well-being & health

Testing whitening results

Your smile can be spectacular Personal appearance is increasingly a matter of concern to most people and, with the advancement of science, solutions to anomalies that can cause low self-esteem or rejection are now available.

In the dental field, there are minimally intrusive and affordable alternatives to create smiles that leave the right impression.

Through advanced techniques in teeth whitening and veneers it

is possible to achieve spectacular results in both remodeling and dental rejuvenation.

Veneers help repair the teeth comfortably and are a perfect option for application to the tooth.

In cases requiring a deep rehabilitation where there has been tooth loss or a need to replace teeth, implants are used. Thanks to the latest technologies you can now have a new smile in one day thanks to the placement of temporary fixed prostheses that work perfectly until the final prosthesis placement takes place. n

Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal Laser Clinic Permanent Hair removal Pigmentation and anti-aging Visiting Surgeon varicose veins, sebaceous cysts, innovative haemorrhoid surgery Cosmetic Surgeon Breast implants and augmentation, face-lifts, tummy tucks

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

45

Suffering Bikini Fear?

Love the body you’re in …thanks to caring cosmetic surgery from Dr. Marco Vricella Summer is meant to be the time to relax, kick back and enjoy. But for some, bearing your body on the beach can turn the dream holiday season into a nightmare.

There are many ways we can build confidence and enjoy wearing beachwear.

One is to simply ‘dive in’, just go out there and forgot what others think and enjoy the beach!

deposits, then there is a way you can reclaim your body.

Some of our most popular procedures include:

With a procedure from Aria Medical Group, you might radically improve your self-esteem and be excited about the chance to show off your new look.

+ Breast Augmentation

Of course, opting to have surgery is a significant decision, but the results could change your life.

+ Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

For others a pre-holiday bikini diet and exercise programme might be enough to shed those few excess kilos and give you the confidence you need to enjoy the holidays.

You could have the breasts you’ve always wanted; or be rid of the sagging stomach skin left after having children.

Then of course there’s fashion; you can hunt out more figure-flattering styles and colours to disguise those lumps and bumps that you might not be so proud to share with the world.

Dr. Marco Vricella is well respected in Gibraltar and has been serving the community here for some years, providing regular free consultations on the Rock as well as personalised aftercare.

Yet there’s no denying that sometimes diet, exercise, or fashion are not enough to make us feel great about the way we look.

Dr. Vricella offers free consultations so you can find out if you are suitable for surgery and you can discuss your expectations and desires and get a professional assessment.

If you’ve always wanted fuller or uplifted breasts; a flatter stomach after having children, or to be rid of those stubborn fat

46

What have you to lose? Well, you can start with your ‘Bikini fear’.

+ Breast Uplift (Mastopexy) + Breast Reduction

+ Liposuction + Face Lifts + Eyebag Removal (Blepharoplasty) + Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) To book a completely free and private consultation in Gibraltar at College Clinic with Aria Medical Group, just call or email us Tel: (+34) or

951 276 748

(+34) 671 639 353

info@ariamedicalgroup.com Find us on: Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn too.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2013

s

e h

Because

You’re Beautiful! + Breast Augmentation + Breast Uplift + Breast Reduction + Tummy Tuck + Buttock Augmentation + Liposuction + Facial Injections + Face Lifts + Eyebag Removal + Rhinoplasty + Cosmetic Dentistry

Book your FREE consultation

(+34) 951 276 748 in English (+34) 671 639 353 in English

When choosing your surgeon check their

(+34) 662 936 058 en Español

credentials. They should be registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC), the

e: info@ariamedicalgroup.com

Spanish CGM and also on the UK Specialist Register of Plastic Surgeons (SRPC).

re F R E E A f t e rc a www.ariamedicalgroup.com Cosmetic Surgery GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2013

Cosmetic Cosmetic Surgery Surgery

Gibraltar

|

||

Gibraltar Gibraltar

Marbella

|

||

Marbella Marbella

Madrid ||

47

Madrid Madrid

TELL US which destination tops your travel wishlist and why - email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi

Dream Holiday Destinations...

Where’s yours?

compiled by Pennie Gwilt

Holiday wish lists for Gibraltar’s residents are as varied as the people who travel. Some like to bask in the sun on a tropical beach, while others are happy trekking through a rainforest or soaking up the culture in a heritage city... some demand all three from their fortnight away.

Maurice de la Rosa taxi driver Central Australia.

Never been before, and I have no idea why I want to go but have always wanted to go there. It’s somewhere you go to lose yourself, to find peaceful open space away from the city centre.

One day I will get there.

The world is more accessible to us than it has ever been before, and travelling on any budget is a reality. Demand for active breaks is increasing and we can tailor our trip to suit our moods.

We asked Gibraltar’s residents to share the destinations at the top of their wish lists with us. Here is what they said.

Nicky Darby manager, DHL Gibraltar The Maldives.

Spending time with my family is very important and I would love my kids to experience somewhere like that. (They are getting fed up with the same beach in Estepona every year!). They could relax and it would give their parents some time to relax too...

48

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Julian Cruz summer job, GTB I’d like to go to Paris with my girlfriend. We would visit the Eiffel Tower because it’s such a romantic place and then Disneyland to go on the fun rides and feel like kids again.

Zenaida Cruz & Hazel Robba sales, Image Graphics Jessica Bonifante carer, Dr Giraldi Home

Matthew Bruce-Smith Lance-Corporal, RGR Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 Football World Cup, but I would also like to go to see family who live in Brisbane, Australia as I haven’t seen them for 13 years.

The Caribbean!

ZC: Jamaica, on my own, partying on the beach. HR: The exotic Caribbean for sun and sea with my family. JB: I’d go to a deserted island with my partner...

Priscilla Chelleram osteopath I would like to go to Alaska to see the glaciers and the wildlife, the polar bears and Orca whales. The whole style of living there must be so different from ours.

Andrew Ferrary BIA store manager I would like to go to the Antarctic to take photos, before it gets spoilt.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

49

50

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Gibraltar Music Festival

music scene

Sound Factory The Brit Award winning Emeli Sandé will be headlining this year’s Gibraltar Music Festival. OllyMurs — one of the most successful pop stars of the past decade — will also be performing at the Victoria Stadium on Saturday 7th September 2013.

Two further international acts are already confirmed: Level 42, a band with a career spanning five decades, and; La Oreja de Van Gogh, a Latin Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated Spanish pop band. More international acts will be added to the bill in the coming weeks.

The Ministry of Culture has confirmed that, once again, the event will feature local musicians, with a selection process about to be launched when we went to print.

For more details see: gibraltarmusicfestival.com Designed to be a family and disability friendly event during Gibraltar’s ‘National Week’ festivities, the Gibraltar Music Festival promises to once again create an atmosphere that impresses locals and visitors alike. After her memorable performance last year, Jessie J tweeted to 5.5 million followers: ‘Wow wow wow wow wow wow #Gibraltar’.

Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar has again placed its trust in Word of Mouth and Axle Media to produce this September’s event, which is already shaping up to be significantly bigger than last year’s. On Saturday 7th September, doors will open at 12 noon, with food, drink and entertainment available throughout the day.

The organisers are promising: “Over 20 acts will appear across four stages.”

Children aged 12 and under will again be allowed free entry, if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In keeping with the increased number of international acts, tickets start at £50 for anyone aged 13 and over.

Seated tickets are priced at £70

and VIP tickets £175 and are available at Vijay and Music Corner.

More details on tickets, and the event more generally, are available at gibraltarmusicfestival.com and on the event’s official Facebook page. Continued....

EMELI SANDÉ Emeli Sandé is a phenomenal talent; the 23-year-old out did the Beatles earlier this year when she achieved the longest Top 10 run with a debut album of all time. “The fact that so many people connected to it and kept the album in the Top 10 is remarkable,” she said.

The record-breaking Our Version of Events shows off Sandé’s beautiful songwriting and soulful voice. Her love of Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and Lauren Hill comes through on her soulful, melodic and powerful songs.

Sandé’s award-winning, record-breaking debut album produced no less than nine top 10 singles.

In May this year, she was the biggest winner at the prestigious Ivor Novello awards, scooping the coveted best song musically and lyrically award, and the most performed work award.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

51

OLLY MURS In just three years, Olly Murs has crafted three albums which have produced four No 1 singles (including the platinum-selling Dance With Me Tonight & latest no.1 smash hit Troublemaker (ft. Flo Rida), and a further three Top 20 hits. His first album Olly Murs has gone double-platinum and second album In Case You Didn’t Know is on course for triple-platinum sales.

Along with Ed Sheeran and Example, Olly Murs is the only recent male solo star with a sell-out headline arena tour to his name, as well as becoming a fixture on the main stage of many festivals.

“Right Place Right Time as a title sums up my career to this point. I’ve worked hard in everything I’ve done, doing what’s felt right, and everything has fit into place, says Murs.

”

LEVEL 42 The band was at its prime in the late ’80s, but songs like Lessons in Love, Running in the Family and Something About You are classics that have stood the test of time.

Their pop rock, jazz-funk is very easy to listen to.

They have six top 10 singles to their name, along with 11 hit albums and 31 million record sales. They’re an extremely accomplished live band and their bassist Mark King is considered by some to be among the world’s most influential bass players.

LA OREJA DE VAN GOGH La Oreja de Van Gogh sing about love, friendship and relationships.

The band from San Sebastian has sold more than eight million albums worldwide.They have five number one albums and 14 number one singles to date.

They are hugely popular both in Spain and locally.

MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED When we went to press, Word of Mouth & Axle Media were on the verge of revealing further acts who will

perform at the Gibraltar Music Festival on Saturday 7th September. When pressed, they said: “All we can say right now is that there’ll be one more golden oldie and at least one more exciting artist who’s in the charts today, hopefully more.”

52

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Kicking it with Phoenix Founded in 2011 by club Chairman Nicholas Gaiviso, Gibraltar Phoenix FC was registered as a GFA team in 2012, and competed in the men’s second division football league in the 2012-13 season.

We spoke to Phoenix’s 1st Team Manager, Garry Lowe, to find out more about the club.

Garry you launched Phoenix FC, a new senior football team last year, and so far you have done quite well in the local league. Can you tell us about Phoenix FC, how its first year panned out and your aims as a club?

“The club is made up of individuals who are passionate about football and about playing in a team. The club allows us to pursue our passion for football and also helps us with widely recognised skills such as team work ,not just playing ability, and forming lasting friendships on and off the field at our many social events.

After a successful year and now moving on to our second year (2013-14), the club will be introducing a B team which will be competing in the men’s reserve league. We are also entering a Futsal team this season.

Our aims as a club are not only to be successful and compete at the highest level, but to also enjoy our football and create relationships with both the players and coaching staff, eventually from the youngest age all the way up to senior.

You are actively seeking new players for the 2013 - 2014 season and are holding trials during August. Who are you looking for and who should try out?

We are a relatively new club, but are rapidly expanding with now two men’s teams and a fantastic knowledge from our coaches and

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Members of the Phoenix club taking part in the UEFA celebrations

myself, I’m sure we can only improve and continue our run of form in the 2013-14 season.

So if you have a passion for football — playing or a coaching role — or want to join a fun and friendly club then come a long to our trials which will commence on Monday 26th August 2013, 8pm at the Devil’s Tower Camp (DTC).

What are your thoughts on football in Gibraltar and how do you see its future?

Football is one of Gibraltar’s most popular sports, both for spectators and players, and now that Gibraltar has been granted its rightful place in UEFA, this will only bring good and exciting things for clubs and locals watching their team being recognised as a footballing nation. n For info contact Garry Lowe email: girilowe@gmail.com Tel: 54014170 (Gib) or +34 671 01 41 21 (Spain)

Our aims as a club are not only to be successful and compete at the highest level, but to also enjoy our football

Phoenix FC’s new kit

53

Pennies for your thoughts

Gareth Owen, the luv busker A modern Mediterranean minstrel who bares his soul on street corners or in crowded pubs, 29year old songwriter Gareth Owen styles himself as one cheeky mix between a Kurt Cobain lookalike and a Dennis the Menace impersonator (blond fringe and chunky trainers included).

And with nothing but his guitar for accompaniment, he sings his life story in a soulful, ductile, comforting voice, gravelly here, velvety there, that needs nothing more to entertain a full audience.

That’s how his debut album Busking for Pennies, Playing for Love was penned, recorded and promoted: from the streets to the recording studio and back to the streets. It is due to be published this month on most digital downloading sites, after being world-premiered on the Alameda Open Theatre stage during the Gib Fringe Festival last June.

“I had never played a venue like that before: I sang at goldfish jumping out of the pond!” he

54

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Album artwork courtesy John Protheroe (peadesign@hotmail.com).

words | Elena Scialtiel

music scene says, with a childlike twinkle in his eye. Pretty similar to the sparkle he sported when dedicating some new songs to his girlfriend Holly.

Busking is Gareth’s day job, and sometimes night job too, when he gigs around clubs on the Costa del Sol. He is proud of it, as he describes himself a free-spirited artist and not at all a beggar. He doesn’t strum to tickle the underbelly of your sympathy; he performs to seek your appreciation for his poetry-filled toe-tapping impromptu concerts.

Sometimes he gets verbally abused: “I just ignore them and carry on singing what I believe in. To appreciate how engaged people are by my music, I look for toe-tappers. And once I drop in a popular upbeat hit, I have their attention hooked.

“The rule of thumb is three-to-one: three slow pieces followed by some good old rocking stuff, possibly cover versions which the public can immediately recognise and so identify me by. I was spoon-fed Cat Stevens and the Eagles, but my favourite band of all times is Pearl Jam.” Busking gives Gareth the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and they often pour their heart out to him while sharing a bottle of cider on a park bench — and so he dabbles as a counsellor, which is quite a feat, considering one can hardly slip a word edgeways in his friendly chitchat about this new world at his fingertips: his finger-picking pop-rock, of course.

If you are familiar with the concept of ‘champagne socialism’, you might as well accuse him of ‘champagne busking’ after a glance at his expensive guitar and his sporty look just out of a surfer film: he won’t take umbrage of course, because he knows that already, and actually struts his streetwise urchin vocation.

In fact, Gareth purposely chose it over the job security of running his own company, when he first picked up a guitar on a fateful 31st December five years ago, and dusted up on his musical knowledge from a childhood filled with choir singing and percussion drumming — the first for money, he admits embarrassedly, the second for genuine passion.

The next move was kind of implied in a New Year ’s resolution: a road trip across Europe, busking his way to Estepona where he had roots and wanted to establish himself as an artist.

Bussing tables for a living soon gave way to full-time gigging around night clubs and regularly travelling to Gibraltar where the audience can better understand his lyrics.

Gareth also travelled to the United States

on four consecutive tourist visas and busked there for one year, during which he performed for Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia. The ‘illegal alien’ label doesn’t faze him in the least: it just adds a halo of scruffy guitar hero to his performing persona and sheds light on the colourful crowds he hanged with.

The album’s title song was inspired by a hobo who advised him to play rock instead of his wimpy folk/pop monologues, if he wanted to make good money.

In the spur of the moment, he was inspired to write the lyrics to a slow song which he performed the day after to his opinionated audience: “The songs I sing are reflections of what’s really in me. The words come from my heart, they’re not from above. I might be busking for pennies, but I’m playing for love. People walk past, they see me, day after day, singing my favourite songs, but in my own way. They say: ‘hey you, sing louder, and sing some rock and roll’... I’d rather make less money but sing from my soul...”

“I believe in one-liners that summarise a particular experience,” Gareth explains. “I

Idealist and romantic, Gareth’s album is a personal yet universal account — “a poem about my life,” he describes it

condense the emotion I want to put across in one line and when I sing it, I look out for the audience’s reaction, to check if they get the message, even if it always sounds a different one to different people.”

His songs are all about the lyrics of course, that’s why they seem to be more popular where English is understood, like Gibraltar. His best audiences gather in a busy, but not too busy, street, when the background noise does not override his words, or in a pleasant spot where listeners have time to stop, stand, or sit away from the heat or the rain, like for example the Landport or the Watergate tunnels.

Although he claims he writes and performs for himself, Gareth enjoys an older and discerning audience appreciating his philosophy, and he always alternates thought-provoking tracks with upbeat ones, to relax those people who would otherwise be overwhelmed and walk away.

Idealist and romantic, Gareth’s album is a personal yet universal account — “a poem about my life,” he describes it — about his relationship with the women in his life, starting from his mother, whom he fell out with over his career, and for who he wrote Pens Run Dry, a harrowing illustration of the dwindling communication between them.

Well, Gareth’s mum must be proud of her son now that he’s just been the supporting act to the Delta Saints, and he’s about to embark on a late summer festival tour in the UK to promote his album! n Visit www.garethowenmusic.com or like his page on Facebook, for links to Soundcloud, YouTube and Spotify.

Playing at the Alameda Open Air Theatre,Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

55

community

update

Rejuvenating St Bernard’s words | Richard Cartwright

There are several social clubs on the Rock which seem to have been around forever. One of them, St Bernard’s Catholic Social Club, an institution founded in 1938, is seeking to rejuvenate itself by actively recruiting new members to bring new life to the club.

In all its years St Bernard’s has moved locations just once, from Main Street to Zoca Flank within the Community Centre situated on the city walls. It very nearly moved a second time to the site of the old Theatre Royal where a new Community Centre was to be built, but that idea seems to have been put on the back burner for now or even removed from any sort of ‘heat’ altogether.

Since the late ’30s many club presidents and their hard working committees have come and gone keeping the club active. Joe ScanigliaJones has been running the show for about four years with his bunch of merry men.

“This club has a great tradition going back all those years and we’ve had some very wellknown Gibraltar citizens as presidents; A Dumas was the first in 1938, Victor Scaniglia, Pepe Fabre, Louis Bellotti, H.E. Bassadone and many others. In the mid-’50s the Catholic Club was incorporated into our club hence the inclusion of ‘Catholic’ in our name but it’s always been generally known as a social club.”

The incumbent Bishops of Gibraltar have traditionally been the patrons of the club going back to Bishop Fitzgerald and up to the current bishop Ralph Heskett. Bishop Caruana was

a very popular patron. An oil painting by a French artist, donated by Maurice Stagnetto, hangs proudly in the club in recognition of his close connection with and fondness of the club.

“Yes, the club is proud of recognising worthy individuals; Joe Bossano, who’s a prominent member, Lt Col John Perez, Sir Peter Caruana and the Governor Sir Adrian Richards amongst others.”

St Bernard’s has always been well known for its billiard and snooker tournaments and members and guests are seen regularly at the

club indulging in a variety of board and card games — tablita (Ludo) being one of the most popular. Whil I was there, a group of the club’s past presidents and others were well into a card game and recent chess tournaments have proved popular. Their trophy cabinet stretches the length of one of the VIP room’s walls and the Chief Minister’s Dad’s billiard cue is a valued club keepsake!

The club is a friendly place to go to where there are no airs and graces and where you can chill out and relax.

Joe says, “It’s a welcoming place where you can come to chat and have a drink and we have some lovely lunches and tapas here too. As with most places, Fridays and Saturdays are the most popular and we’re closed on Mondays.” The food Joe talks about is cheap and a whisky, for example, will only cost you 65p!

The internet and the hundreds of TV channels now on offer have affected attendance at St Bernard’s — as is the case with other clubs such as Casino Calpe, and entertainment venues everywhere — and membership has dropped quite a bit.

One or two long standing members remember the good old days when the club was at its original home in Main Street above Mango (formerly Teuma’s record store).

“I’ve been coming to the club since I was 18 or 19 and when we were there, the place was thriving, very busy and the atmosphere at the club was incredible,” one member says. It’s said, in those days 90% of members were of the Hindu community, not surprisingly with the club situated in Main Street and with so many Indian businesses in the area, it was surely a handy place to go to for a drink and a wind down on the way home from work.

“I used to go every day and I remember the three or four big events every year which were really well attended. One was celebrating St Bernard’s Day, then there was the lead up to Christmas dinner and the sherry party on 6th January, which has now moved to a later date because the Three King’s Cavalcade presentation of winners ‘do’ is held there now.

“I remember one fantastic event to coincide with the Grand National which included an auction to ‘buy’ a horse which another member might own. The prize money could go up to £3,000 sometimes and it was an incredible

“Ideally we’d like to see some younger people get involved,” Joe says, “I’ve begun to include ladies in our membership...”

56

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

history uncovered night.”

In those days the club’s cue game tournaments were very lively, with top players like Charlie Caruana, and classical guitarist, the late William Gomez, battling it out. There was one room with snooker and billiards tables and a card table in the corner and the other room for tablita and dominoes which were usually buzzing. Henry Gomez is still a well remembered and esteemed President of those years and St Bernard’s was a relatively rich club.

In the early ’90s the club moved to new premises in the Community Centre where tournaments, charitable events such as raising cash for Wells in Africa and panic buttons for our seniors, continue to engage the president and committee’s time and effort. Monthly meetings are held and ideas for attracting more members are mooted.

“Ideally we’d like to see some younger people get involved,” Joe says, “I’ve begun to include ladies in our membership and I’ve also come up with the idea of possibly introducing UK military personnel to the club so they can learn more about what Gibraltar and the locals are all about and what better place to come into contact with us than a club like this with an ‘across the board’ membership of our community?”

Rejuvenation and new blood is the way forward for St Bernard’s Catholic Social Club if it’s to keep its valued reputation and longevity flag flying.

“I joined St Bernard’s in 1984 and I’m still here now as President,” Joe reflects. “Like me, there are many staunch members at the club and I’m sure that through word of mouth we can improve our membership. I’ve made a start with the ladies and the work is ongoing.”

In the past it may have been perceived as a gentleman’s club but in reality everyone is made welcome. If snooker, draughts, tablita or a card game don’t take your fancy, no worries, a bite to eat or a drink and a chat are all you need to do when visiting St Bernard’s.

Everyone is made welcome and membership is just £65 a year. n

Neolithic hand axe found in Gorham’s Cave A 7.5 thousand year-old polished hand axe, from the Neolithic, was excavated by archaeologists working in Gorham’s Cave last month.

This is the first such hand axe recovered in context from a Gibraltar cave and is further testament of the presence of people on the Rock at the critical time when agriculture and farming were arriving in the west from the Middle East.

This photograph of the axe shows its very fine adge

The 11cm axe would have been hafted onto a wooden handle and a preliminary analysis of the find suggests it may have been a ceremonial piece as it was beautifully shaped and covered in red ochre. The part of the axe that would have been attached to the handle lacks the ochre, amazingly leaving an imprint of how it had been attached.

from a type found only in North Africa. If this is confirmed, it will provide clear evidence of maritime contact across the Strait of Gibraltar at the time.

The stone axe is made from a greenish rock which is not found in Gibraltar and one possibility being studied is that it is

The site forms part of the preparations for Gibraltar’s bid for World Heritage Status in 2015. n

In the past St Bernard’s may have been perceived as a gentleman’s club but in reality everyone is made welcome

Adopt Don’t Buy

Give a Dog a Home If you are interested in adopting call the GSPCA on 540 19968 or 540 29927 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

57

pages from history

The Fate of Rock Killer Revealed

words | Reg Reynolds

Two years ago this month, I wrote a story for the Gibraltar Magazine about a soldier who shot and killed his commanding officer in Gibraltar.

Lieutenant-Colonel James Stephen Fitzgerald of the East Surrey Regiment was fatally shot in the chest in Gibraltar in 1927

On 7th April, 1927 Lieutenant Austin Christopher Duffield marched into the orderly room of the 2nd Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment and fired two shots at Lieutenant-Colonel James Stephen Fitzgerald. The first shot missed but the second struck the Lieutenant-Colonel in the chest and he died almost instantly.

Duffield was apprehended at the scene so there was no doubt of his guilt. On his arrest he admitted murder and claimed he had hoped to kill the Lieutenant-Colonel with the first bullet and then commit suicide with the second. The trial of Duffield was the sensation of Gibraltar that year. A plea of insanity was denied and as I wrote in the previous article Duffield told the jury: “Since our arrival at Gibraltar the commanding officer has given up all ideas of soldiering and it is better that one man should die than

58

an entire regiment be ruined.

“I killed him for the good of the regiment.”

Duffield was sentenced to death but the people of Gibraltar petitioned the Governor, General Sir Charles Monro, for clemency and the sentence was reduced to life in prison.

I concluded the article by writing that I had been unable to learn Duffield’s ultimate fate. I wondered if he had died in prison.

Then some months ago I received an e-mail from his great niece, Marie Cambon, telling me she knew what happened. It turned

out that Marie lives in Vancouver, Canada, a short ferry ride from my hometown of Victoria, and in April this year I met up with her and we talked about her Great Uncle.

She told me that after several years in prison in England, Chris (as the family always called him) emigrated to Kenya and later moved to Uganda where he lived out his final days.

Marie’s father, Kenneth Cambon, was a Canadian soldier in World War II and was captured at the fall of Hong Kong in December 1941. He spent the remainder of the War in Japanese prison camps.

Duffield was sentenced to death but the people of Gibraltar petitioned the Governor, General Sir Charles Monro, for clemency and the sentence was reduced to life in prison

He wrote a book about his experience titled Guest of Hirohito. In the book he tells about how in one camp he met Bill Stewart, the son of the officer in charge of Duffield’s court martial, and that caused him to write about the murder: “I had an uncle on my mother’s side, who had been involved in some scandal in the military, but it was more or less of a family secret and I knew very little about it. His name was Chris Duffield and he was a graduate of Sandhurst.

“My grandfather had risen from a private soldier to become Colonel of the Royal Ulster Rifles, which was a rare rise in rank those days. Uncle Chris’ fall from grace was a family tragedy not to be discussed in front of the children.

“After the war I learned that Chris had been a subaltern in Gibraltar and had shot the colonel of the regiment. It was a sensational item in the press of those days.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Apparently the murdered man had been making homosexual advances putting pressure on the younger officers. Because of this Chris was not hanged, but was sentenced to a long prison term.

He later went to Kenya and during the war was the Regimental Sergeant Major of the African Rifles, serving in the European theatre.

“I wish I could have met Chris.

He did attend the wedding of my sister Margery, who was a Nursing Sister in the Canadian Army in England at the time. He was by all accounts a great guy.

He later became the editor of the Kampala Times in Uganda. During the unsettled days that plagued the country he was attacked by robbers, losing an eye, and he never really recovered from these injuries dying in his adopted country.”

Marie Cambon is researching

In the end Duffield got off lightly for what was a pretty cold-blooded murder her Great Uncle’s story with the idea of writing a book. She told me that her family speculates that Duffield might have been having an affair with the Colonel’s wife and that was the real reason for the murder.

Inspired by Marie I did more research and found that there may have been other reasons for the killing, both financial and mental. It turns out that at the time of the murder Duffield had borrowed money from his father and had been unable to pay it back. Also, he was in charge of the regiment’s “Rifle Fund” and £300 was missing.

I learned from old newspaper articles that Duffield may not have been legally insane but he certainly wasn’t of sound mind.

He told his brother Reverend John Duffield, who attended the trial, that he remembered shooting the Colonel but “...didn’t know why as he was a good friend”. The medical officer who examined the prisoner (who spent his time smoking and learning Spanish) explained that he was suffering from paranoia and had an inordinate interest in ‘table turning’ (séances) and spiritualism. While awaiting trial Duffield wrote a

letter to a local priest, Father Campbell, who told the court that it was “couched in extraordinary terms” and “obviously a letter by a person of a disturbed mind”.

In the end Duffield got off lightly for what was a pretty cold-blooded murder. He only served nine years at Maidstone Prison in Kent. On his release he set sail for Kenya where, despite his history, he was allowed to enlist in the King’s African Rifles.

He joined the Armoured Regiment, fought in Ethiopia (battle of El Wak) during World War II, and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer.

When the war was over Duffield wrote for Kenyan magazines and newspapers and after moving to Nairobi became editor of the Uganda Herald. He appears to have been upstanding in the community as evidenced by other writers who met him.

Arthur Campbell in his book Heart of Africa wrote: “I called on A.C. Duffield the brown-eyed editor of the Uganda Herald. On his office wall hung a souvenir of the Allied campaign in Abyssinia; a road sign that he had personally removed from outside an Abyssinian village. I left Duffield writing about cotton-ginneries.”

Kenneth Ingham in his book The Making of Modern Uganda thanks Duffield, “...who so readily gave me access to the files of his newspaper before they were deposited in the Library of Makerere College.”

In 1975 Duffield was robbed and badly beaten and never fully recovered.

Dennis Cecil Hills wrote in his book The White Pumpkin: “Savagely attacked by kondos (thugs) shortly before his death, he was back at the City Bar a week later. In his weekly letter to the Sunday Nation, Nairobi, he described the incident in a humorous way.

“Mr. A. C. Duffield is now, to our sorrow, dead. Though frail, and in his 70s, he was brave.”

It’s interesting to note that Austin Christopher Duffield died an MBE, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. There can’t be too many murderers who can make that claim. n Note: You can read the original article in the Gibraltar Magazine archive online - August 2011, page 60. www. thegibraltarmagazine.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Cheers to the 8th Gibraltar National Week Beer Fest This year’s National Week Beer Fest will held on Friday 30th August 2013 at the Bayside Sports Complex between 7pm and 12 midnight.

Tickets, £20, will be on sale at Lewis Stagnetto Ltd at 41 Main Street from Monday 5th August. The ticket price includes 10 x 35cl beer vouchers and live entertainment provided by Jetstream and The Noiz.

For further information contact the Ministry of Culture on 20067241 or the Beer Fest info mobile on 54005729.

8th Harley Davidson Rally Harley Davidson Club (HDC) Gibraltar will be proudly hosting their eighth international rally (beginning at Casemates Square followed by a party at the club’s premises) on 3rd August 2013.

The organisers expect the event to be even bigger and better than in the past. Judging by the interest shown so far by clubs in Spain, Portugal, and other European countries, including the UK, the event is sure to be well attended with more participants than last year.

The day starts with live music at 10.30am. Most bikes are expected to arrive around 12.30pm, at which point there will be a static exhibition of motorbikes in Casemates Square

where guests will be able enjoy all the culinary delights served by the restaurants in the square.

Entertainment will be provided by three great bands (Strange Brew, Gib Floyd and All in one Band) as well as the ever popular Yalta Pons and her Urban Dance Group.

There will be the customary welcome speech from the Minster who will also be presenting club mementos ably assisted by the stunning Miss Gibraltar 2013.

The Casemates part of the event concludes with the traditional ride up Main Street and around the Rock which is only rivalled in popularity by the traditional 3 Kings Cavalcade! The ride will ends at the club’s premises (Retrenchment Block, Lathbury Barracks) with more live music, a raffle and food, till late.

The event is free of charge and anybody wanting to attend is welcome, biker or not! n

59

fashion

leisure & sport

shopping & gifts

Retail& Activities hair & beauty

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

lessons & tuition GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

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

newsagents/books

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

travel & hotels Health & Beauty Salon

Queen’s Hotel Gibraltar

• Aromatherapy • Sugar Waxing • Facials • Manicures • Pedicures • Reflexology • Luxury Organic 2hr face & body treatment Open: Mon-Fri 9.30-9 Sat 10-3

Excellent Prices • Centrally Located • Easy Access • Parking • Bar • Restaurant

Don House Arcade Tel: 20077311

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

photography

pets & accessories

Tel: 200 73786

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

Studio47 For information and bookings contact: www.vassalloimages.com Warren Vassallo Mobile 54176000 Spain mobile: 678158755 email: warren@vassalloimages.com

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

60 60

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAziNE • AUGUST 2013

history

file

Franklin Roosevelt at Yalta he introduced Beria as “My Himmler”.

Upon Stalin’s death in March 1953 Beria was no longer protected and on 26th June, with the approval of the Politburo, he was denounced by Nikita Khrushchev and arrested.

Khrushchev accused Beria of being in the pay of British Intelligence and of having capitalist and pro-US leanings.

Did Beria really escape from Russia and fly to Spain? Gallo insisted it was true and he told of the meeting in Gibraltar which was arranged by the mysterious Spaniard.

Gallo told Fuson that he had met Beria only once in Gibraltar and that it happened on September 16th. He said he parked his car outside the Embassy Rooms Restaurant and went inside to have lunch with his mother.

When he saw the Spaniard approach the car he went out to speak to him.

When the Spaniard asked if he had brought the guarantees from the Americans Gallo replied: “The Americans don’t believe anything you say. They want more proof”.

The Spaniard took him by the arm and led him to a black Austin parked nearby. Gallo got in and said there was a badly sun-burned fat

Did Beria really escape from Russia and fly to Spain? Gallo insisted it was true and he told of the meeting in Gibraltar, arranged by the mysterious Spaniard

The former head of the Soviet Secret Police, Lavrenti Beria

Gibraltar & the Beria Hoax

words | Reg Reynolds

In October of 1953 an American newspaper reporter named Gene Fuson wrote a copyrighted story reporting that Lavrenti Beria, the most evil man in Stalin’s Russia, had been seen in Gibraltar.

Fuson’s story, which was carried in many US newspapers, told of how in September that year, he had met with a Nicaraguan named Fabio Gallo. Gallo told Fuson how he had met with Beria, the former head of the Soviet Secret Police, in Gibraltar. Gallo, who was living in Torremolinos at the time, explained that Beria was on the run and seeking asylum in America.

Gallo’s story was that Beria, a Russian atomic physicist and a Spaniard were seeking

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

to defect to the United States. He claimed that Beria and the physicist had escaped the Soviet Union by plane to Malaga and were hiding out on a farm owned by another Nicaraguan. Beria had every reason to escape. He had been head of the NKVD (later KGB) and was responsible for the murder and torture of thousands of his own people. He had many more condemned to hard labour in the Gulag. He was also hated for beating and raping women and molesting young girls. When Stalin met with President

man sitting on the back seat.

“This is Beria,” said the Spaniard.

After some discussion in Russian between the Spaniard and the man believed to be Beria, the fat man, speaking through the Spaniard said to Gallo, “Tell them you saw me and on account of their interest in me they will fix the arrangements.”

Gallo met with the Spaniard again at Gibraltar on 18th September, and it was arranged they would purchase a radio at a local shop and meet with Beria again on the 21st. At the appointed time Gallo picked up the radio and parked his distinctive car, a Cadillac, in the designated space but Beria never showed.

Fuson continued to pursue the story for the next few months but he was never able to prove that Beria was definitely ever in Spain or Gibraltar. As of 23rd December, 1953 it didn’t matter anymore as that is the day the Politburo announced that Beria had been executed.

So was Beria ever in Gibraltar? It doesn’t seem likely. First I can’t imagine the Fascist Government under Franco allowing him refuge in Spain. Second there is some evidence that Beria had been executed on the day of his arrest.

Beria’s son Sergo believed this and said he was told of his father’s death on 26th June. Sergo wrote a memoir which aimed to show that his father was not a monster at all, but a cultured thinker and a warm human being.

Was it a hoax? If so who organised it, and why? One possibility is the Russians arranged it to provide further evidence that Beria was a traitor co-operating with the United States. On the other hand Beria may really have enjoyed a few anxious days on the Rock. n

61

Beauty in the box Gib’s Miss World inspires National Doll What a doll! Many cried out at the picture of Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino posing in national costume with the Upper Rock shrub and limestone as a backdrop.

Christine Mandleberg with one of her completed classic dolls

62

As from today, it is quite a literal remark indeed: in fact, Kaiane is lending her style and posture to a 14-inch porcelain doll, designed and handcrafted by multi-prize winning and multi-skilled doll maker Christine Mandleberg, whose dream has been creating Gibraltar’s very own national doll since she started learning her specialised craft.

In a decade-long career, besides winning multiple awards and rosettes, travelling the world to attend conventions and competitions, Christine has also produced scale models of Admiral Rooke (curly wig and all, now displayed in the Gibraltar Museum), sculptured and dressed former Chief Ministers Sir Peter Caruana QC, Mr Joe Bossano and former Mayor Momy Levy MBE. In recent years Christine made a doll dressed in Gibraltar traditional national costume; corset, peasant-style blouse and full skirt, made from scratch and inspired by a stamp collection issued a few years ago. While that one featured a fictional pretty face, the new Miss World 2009 doll reproduces Kaiane’s features and is being produced in a series, with a collectors item number, and sold at Gibraltar’s tourist hotspots, with profits being donated to The Gibraltar Clubhouse, a charity close to Christine’s heart.

She usually makes reproductions of classic dolls, mirroring the original down to the tiniest detail (such as the exact number of eyelashes), or designs one-off models, so this project slightly

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

miss

world

Miss Gibraltar gets ready for Miss World Last year, the Miss World Organisation introduced a Multi Media Award as part of its fast track events for the Miss World Finals which this year take place on 28th September in Indonesia.

The Miss World Organisation has created a Facebook page as Miss World – Gibraltar. Each contestant has been given her own page, where she will be able to give information about herself, upload photos and video material and interact with fans. The page address is: www.facebook.com/ MissWorldGibraltar The Miss Gibraltar Office and Ministry of Culture are working hard with Miss Gibraltar 2013, Maroua Kharbouch, to keep the page active, promote her Beauty with a Purpose programme and all her events. A special video was also produced by Gib Media, allowing Maroua to promote Gibraltar internationally via this media. The footage can be viewed on: www.youtube. com.

The page also includes many of the events attended by Maroua, including the Lunar Walk, the Mayor’s Awards ceremony, Calentita, and the Queen’s Birthday celebrations.

‘Like’ the page and offer support to Miss Gibraltar by ‘liking’ all posts on that page.

The more ‘likes’ she receives the better her chances of winning the award.

Matching poseable bodies are individually made too, and they ditch the Barbie stereotype to instead go for a realistic approach to actual human body proportions.

For the magnificent costume, an inventive feminine and modern take on 18th Century’s soldiers uniform created for the real Miss Gibraltar some years ago, Christine counted on the expert help of local fashion designer Dorcas Hammond who downscaled and adapted the original blueprint to suit the doll without losing its magnificence and appeal.

Christine was recently in London when her attention was caught by the just-perfect snow-white and crimson silk velvet combination.

She bought rolls of fabric and she stitched it in gold and garnished with black faux leather.

The doll will stand in the same posture as Kaiane did in the iconic photo snapped at the top of

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

ibraltar

18 # 09 July 2013

The doll will stand in the same posture as Kaiane did in the iconic photo snapped at the top of the Rock

the Rock, one leg resting on a limestone lump. To achieve this, Christine is being helped by her talented husband Eddie who cut out plywood rectangles to make the base stand.

Christine went up to the Nature Reserve to pick some pebbles to recreate the effect using only genuine limestone rock, an extra souvenir for the discerning tourist fortunate enough to become the proud owner of a piece of local history in miniature.

Since the shrewd collector knows that the original packaging is as collectable as the fragile action figure it contains, Christine has gone to the UK to have a proper box designed for her. Outside, the cardboard is covered in glossy red to match the uniform, while the inside lining features a view of the Upper Rock akin to the one picked for Kaiane’s photo shoot, so the finishing touch is realistic, patriotic and altogether exquisite.

The doll is protected by rigid clear cellophane, like in a museum cabinet and is hitting the shops at the reasonable price of £200 (introductory discount available) after her official launch at the City Hall on 30th July, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture. n

the gibraltar magazine

strays from her speciality in creating unique porcelain artwork.

Yet, design and production still rest entirely with Christine and her compact workshop in her veranda, from where she enjoys such lovely views over the glistening sea that it is easily understandable why all her dolls boast that cute twinkle in their eyes!

The main novelty in her approach has been using a commercial mould for the heads. This was realised for her in America following her own prototype and directions, to become a durable rubber mould which will produce as many replicas as she needs. It won’t be a limited edition run, but they will be numbered by specimen and by year (you might end up being the proud owner of doll 23/2013 or 7/2014 and so on), with the guarantee that no two dolls will be exactly the same.

Even if the mould is standardised, once the porcelain is poured, cleaned, fired several times, every single head or limb is individually hand-painted, from blush cheeks and pearly whites to styling the glossy ebony wigs that match so well the faux leather material chosen for the dolls’ goldstudded musketeer boots.

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

Christine Mandleberg working on the Gibraltar Miss World doll — not quite completed!

gibraltar the

July 2013 Vol. 18 # 09 FREE

Boy Band on Fire How Deep is the Green?

What’s Keeping You Awake at Night?

I Joined the Foreign Legion

Scandalous Lovers Escape

Dealing with Bad Attitudes

Blooming Sea Jellies

Maroua, photographed by Jayden Fa, featured on our cover for July 2013

63

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 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

Gibibikes Stations

H4

D8

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

J3

gibraltar the

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

46 Irish Town Tel: 200 75188 Fax: 200 72653

The Takeway with a difference.

Homecooking . our speciality .

Open Monday

M5 to Saturday K5

I4 D5 64

J4 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

X7

take-away or reserve a table

Tel: 200 46993 7 days 11am - 3pm, 6pm - late

Queensway Quay (next to Waterfront)

S3 Accountants Durante Carboni Jardim..............X3 ESV Hassan & Co........................ I4 Business/Financial Services AI Couriers..................................K3 Barclays...................................... M4 Jyske Bank.................................. L4 Sovereign Trust...........................N4 ITMS............................................ J9 Business Services Waste Management......................a6 Business Supplies Beacon Press...............................N6 Image Graphics...........................N3 Stitch Design................................P3

X7

Motoring & Car Sales A. M. Capurro & Sons Ltd ........ N6 Computers & Cableing Image Graphics........................... N3 Newton Systems.........................M5 PC Clinic..................................... U3 Food & Drink Amin’s The Office....................... K5 Bridge Bar . ................................ B5 Buddies Pasta Casa..................... Q4 Cafe Rojo.................................... K5 Café Solo..................................... G3 Casa Pepe.....................................Z6 Get Stuffed.................................. A3 House of Sacarello.......................L5 Just Desserts..................................I4

TASTY INDIAN CUISINE Lord Nelson................................. H2 The Lounge ..................................Z6 O’Reilly’s Irish Pub......................B5 Picadilly Gardens.......................... b4 Pick-a-Bite.....................................J6 Saccone & Speed...........................J4 Solo Express................................ H4 Star Bar........................................ K5 Verdi Verdi................................... H4 Waterfront.................................... Y7 Jewellery Sales/Repair Jewellery Repairs..........................L4 Matthew’s Jewellery......................I3 Hair & Beauty Salons Claudia’s Clinic............................ K4 Joya’s Gents Hairdressers............ N2

U4

Renaissance Beauty.......................J4 Roots.............................................T4 Leisure Complete Fitness.......................... R3 Dolphin Safari.............................. A3 Ocean Village Gym . ................... C4 Atlantic Suites Gym & Spa...........J9 Legal Services Hassans.............................................

Isolas.............................................E4 Medical / Health Bell Pharmacy.............................. N3 Claudia’s Clinic............................ K4 Dr. Crump, Steven, Chiropractor I4 Health Food Store........................ O4

Z6

Louis Pharmacy...........................H4 McTimoney chiropractor.............L4 Sport-On - Sports Therapy...........K3 Steiner Chiropractor.....................K7

Fashion House Interiors..............P2 Greenarc..................................... X5 Larbi upholstery......................... R3 Space Interiors.............................I3

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

Shopping — General Image...........................................E6 Sakata.........................................M4

Property Sales / Estate Agents BFA..............................................G4 Chesterton....................................D5 Savills............................................J5 Solomon Levy . ...........................U3 General Services Balloqui . ..................................... P4 LP Borge......................................X3 Denville Designs.........................M3

Shopping — Fashion/Clothing Marble Arc......................................

Recruitment RecruitGibraltar......................... O6 SRG Europe.................................I3 Transport / Marine Services Gib Cargo................................... B8 Tarik Oil..................................... C8

P2

M5 Q5

J7

CRAFT CLASSES - PHONE FOR INFO 184 Main Street Tel: 200 72133 open: from 8am (10am on Sun)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

65

Nicole Victor won the Gold Medal in the Junior Show Dance Solo section

Team Gibraltar Shines at Dance World Cup Team Gibraltar, 10 dancers from two local dance schools, recently returned from the Dance World Cup in Brighton. Organised by MO Productions with the support of the Gibraltar National Dance Organisation, the dancers qualified from the 2012 Gibraltar International Dance Festival.

The team, led by Belize Cortes with the assistance of Karen Celecia, performed choreographies

by Nichol Montovio, Dulcie Edwards, Genyka Celecia and Nicole Victor (Genyka and Nicole choreographed their own pieces).

National Team Manager, Paulette Finlayson also supported Nicole with her classical solo.

The event was staged at Brighton Dome in England and Gibraltar competed against thousands of dancers from 26 countries in five continents. Gibraltar was represented in the Mini Kids, Children, Junior and Adult divi-

sions.

In the Mini Kids solo section, Sarah Montovio finished in an extraordinary 9th place out of 32 dancers. Another great result came in the Children’s Group section where Team Gibraltar’s Birds of Rio finished in 9th place out of 28 groups.

In the Adult Modern Solo section, Genyka Celecia finished in amazing 10th place out of 30 entries. Genyka then pulled off another extraordinary achievement when she finished 4th out of the 18 competitors in the Adult Show Dance solo division. Genyka’s piece was entitled Shadowland and also won her the 2006 MO Bursary Award.

The best result for Gibraltar

The dancers were Janelle Alcantara, Joelle Johnson, Natasha Richardson, Jade Holman, Chantelle Cooper, Sarah Montovio, Poppie Levy, Louise Martinez, Nicole Victor and Genyka Celecia

66

came from Nicole Victor who won Gold Medal in the Junior Show Dance Solo section out of the 20 competitors, with a piece called My Immortal. This dance routine also won Nicole the 2012 MO Bursary Award and 3rd place

at the 2012 Sussex Dance Festival. Nicole privileged to have been asked by the organisers to perform this piece in the World Cup Gala Night in front of a packed Brighton Dome on the final evening. n

Genyka Celecia performing Shadowland

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

events file 1997 by the Royal Shrewsbury Schools BC, beating that time by a full 2 seconds in a finish of 6min 59secs.

Gold Medal for Mediterranean Rowing Club at British Rowing Championships The Mediterranean Rowing Club participated in four rowing and sculling categories at the British Junior Championships held in July in Nottingham UK and returned with a Gold medal.

The pressure was on them for the final but they went out to grab that Gold medal from the start.

They stormed off and quickly took the lead in the first 500 meters maintaining a dominant position until the end of the 2000m in another great time of 7 minutes.

The MRC’s big success came from Open Junior Coxless Pair, Colin Tester and Jesse Borg, who managed a place in the A Finals, breaking the long standing record, held since

A truly impressive performance by these oarsmen who are now gearing up to represent Gibraltar at this year’s Junior World Rowing Championships in Trakai Lithuania from 9th to 11th August 2013. n

At the medal podium with the Golds L to R - Colin Tester (stroke), Stuart Bensadon their Coach, Jessie Borg (bow)

Tea & Coffee 4 Heroes!

The Gibraltar Arms, 184 Main Street, has adopted Help for Heroes as their official charity until July 2014. Every tea or coffee purchased, including take away, will automatically make a contribution towards the Help for Heroes charity.

In addition the Gibraltar Arms will be holding a number of quiz nights throughout the year, the first one is on 24th September.

The charity fund raising target is £2,000 for the year.

Andy Hunter, Financial & Marketing Director Lord Nelson Ltd, Chris Marshall-Jones, Gibraltar Arms Manager, Hon. Anthony Lima, Mayor of Gibraltar, Gary Mitchell, Gibraltar Coordinator, Help for Heroes, Camille Benezrah, Company Administrator Lord Nelson Ltd and John Hunter, Operations Director, Lord Nelson

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

The Help for Heroes mission is to deliver a national network of support for our wounded and their families. To inspire and enable those who have made sacrifices on our behalf to achieve their full potential.

67

puzzle page

SUDOKU Just for fun!

by Alan Gravett 1

2

3

5

4

7

6

8

9

11

10

12 13

14

15

16 17

18

19

20

22

Jotting Pad

21

23

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

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

One entry per person.

Closing date: 18th August 2013 Last month’s winner: Douglas Rose South Barrack Road LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Croesus, Cheerio, Steamer, Ermines, Ernie, Romantics, Langouste, Alamo, Stamina, Tallinn, Enclave, Sistine.

Down: Caste, Ocean, Summer Holiday, Scream, German Measles, Brunei, Horses, Rita, Clam, Lister, Nuance, States, Alibi, Ounce.

68

Across 1. Margin of tolerance; nautically, drift

towards the shelter (6) 4). Area of land by the sea (5) 7. Painful, like a tooth perhaps (6) 8. Mar; disfigure (6) 9. Opposed to (4) 10. TV programme offering up-to-date

information (8) 12. Thoughtful; heedful of others (11) 17. Capital of Hungary (8) 19. Types of newt (4) 20. Born in Copenhagen, perhaps (6) 21. Foolishness (6) 22. Simultaneous discharge of several

guns, for example (5) 23. Market places in ancient Greece (6) Down 1. Of few words; not very

conversational (7) 2. Version of a book or newspaper

regularly published (7) 3. From Buenos Aires, perhaps (9) 4. Board game (5) 5. Firm; unchanging (7) 6. A score (6) 11. Sport involving unarmed combat (9) 13. Word describing first, second

etc. (7) 14. Artist’s studio (7) 15. Lures (7) 16. Tolerates; dwells (6) 18. Italian basil based sauce (5)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

What’s On August 2013

Jayne Richard

Thursday 18th July to 17th August Summer Nights Every Saturday & Thursday. Kids activities and live entertainment for all the family at Casemates Square Thursday 1st August Summer Nights - Jestin, Nigel, Racs and Lima, Spherik & ZZ Drums Friday 2nd August Miss Teen Model at the Alameda Open Air Theatre 9.30pm. Tickets £15 from Hearts Boutique, 250 Main Street. For further info contact Kelvin Hewitt Tel: 54028980 Saturday 3rd August 8th International Rally, Harley Davidson Club. The day starts with live music from 10.30am at Casemates Square. For further info email: derek.moreno@barclays.com Summer Nights - Transitions Dance Academy, Danza Academy, Fuse, After Hours.

Thursday 8th August Summer Nights - Swing Kings plus special guest.

Saturday 10th August Summer Nights - Urban Dance Group, Stylos Dance Group, GibFit, Nathan Conroy, Vicente & Med Dance Group Thursday 15th August Summer Nights - The Noiz, Jetstream and Orange Peel Friday 16th August Wedding Dress Competition at the Alameda Open Air Theatre 9pm. Tickets: £15 from Chique Boutique. Entry forms can be collected from Blossom 1st Floor ICC (International Commercial Centre). For info Tel: 54000377 or email: b.chiara@hotmail Saturday 17th August Summer Nights - Holly Buhagiar, Jemma Rocca Acoustic, ’60s set tribute local band, and £ Days To Rise.

Saturday 24th August - Sunday 1st September Gibraltar Fair at the Old Naval Ground. For info contact Ministry of Culture Tel: 20048063

Peo p le&Pets This month we interview accountant Jayne of Matrix Logistics and her rodent pal Richard.

Jayne & Richard Jayne: Accountant.

Richard: Golden hamster.

Age: Jayne: 50.

Richard: A few months.

Likes Jayne: Trying out new recipes.

Richard: Sleeping.

Hates Jayne: Violence and injustice.

Richard: Loud noises.

Sociability Jayne: I love being out with friends and family.

Richard: Quite like a cuddle with Jayne but shy with everyone else.

Favourite food Jayne: A good veggie curry.

Richard: Sunflower seeds.

Interesting fact: Jayne: I took part in the Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday Celebrations.

Richard: I was abandoned as a baby!

Usefulness: Jayne: I’m very good at ironing!

Richard: Keeping Jayne amused for hours on end.

Greatest achievement Jayne: Passing my AAT exams whilst working full-time and with 4 children and a husband to look after!

Richard: Creating a new ‘nest’ on the bottom floor of my luxury condo!

If you weren’t a hamster/human you would be?

Jayne: A pet cat – sleep when I want, play Best Trick when I want and generally do as I please.

Jayne: I’m not telling!

Richard: Getting my exercise ball up onto the Richard: A lion so that I wouldn’t have to be frightened of everything! carpet.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

69 69

Kudos for Nigel words | Joe Adamberry

Last year local composer Nigel Palmer wrote a song titled Frequency for the YouBloom Music Awards competition.

His aim then was to win and, after a long and hard PR battle which involved him securing web support from the Rock and abroad, he managed to impress enough web listeners to vote him the winner. The handsome first prize of 10,000 euro saw the GBC Open Day fund swell considerably.

photos: One Shot Beary

However there was still a musical challenge to face — to present himself and his band in Dublin and play ‘live’ so that when the presentation of the coveted You Bloom trophy was made to him by legendary record producer Nigel Grainge recently at the festival, he could show a distinguished gathering of fans, composers, producers and artists and repertoire people, that he had the musical chops to sing and play live, and showcase Frequency and Little Song (another of his compositions) among a short set of five other songs in a bill-topping finale concert.

For the show on 29th June he got the able musical support of Rock veterans Area 52, his older brother and bassist Guy, guitarist Stephen McLaren and drummer Adrian Pozo.

They each hired instruments and paid their own way to support him and firmly plant the brand ‘Music from Gibraltar’ on Irish soil.

‘Was it worth it and did it all go according to

70

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

music plan?’ were the story angles for me but Nigel had plenty to say about the event.

“The whole point of the trip was to be presented with the award at the YouBloom@ Dublin Live event which was a first, as other artists apart from winners were given the chance to expose their music on stage. Two days of conferencing and workshops at the College of Surgeons venue supported the event where primarily you could establish one-to-one contact with music industry professionals.

“I was very excited that Nigel Grange, whom I had met and chatted to at the conference, was due to present the main award because as an A&R man he had discovered, mentored and recorded legends like Thin Lizzy, The Boomtown Rats, Sinéad O’Connor and many others, so the prospect of him listening to our band live was a bonus for me. I first had Grange presenting me with the award and then our band performing at the ‘Grand Social’ venue which is a proper live band setting.

“We had the backline amplification and drums all set up and the venue had proper acoustics and that special warmth, it was the best venue of the festival. The entrance cost was only 10 euro and the capacity about 100 upstairs where the sound stage was. Our set had an attendance of around 60 people, not counting Nigel Grange and the YouBloom people. Later I spoke to a guy from the festival who said that we presented the best act, with the most mature sound and not because we did the winning song but because we were possibly the best band of the night.

“In summary I would say that the exposure has allowed me to swap business cards with important music industry people who otherwise I wouldn’t have met, I am going to use being the winner of YouBloom as a passport and key, a thing which they encouraged. It’s a thing which will make my journey smoother from now on.

“My belief is that my music, my songs and my voice identify me and that is the path I’m going to follow. Having said that, I wouldn’t like to start the whole process again, it’s very hard work and I guess that in my case it has all paid off up to now anyway.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

scene

James Fassett’s Symphony of the Birds

When CBS Radio’s James Fassett hired an Austin hard top for a spin around Gibraltar it was lucky he didn’t choose a convertible.

Gibraltar Monkey Business Didn’t Make the Show

F

assett had been in Seville recording flamenco music for use on a radio show featuring the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. It was May 1959 and Fassett was the CBS Director of Music. He emceed the Philharmonic radio programme and during intermissions discussed and played the music he had personally recorded from all around the world.

After finishing his work in Spain, Fassett sailed from Gibraltar to New York and on his return home he told a local newspaper reporter of his experience with the Rock’s famous Barbary apes.

Fassett explained how he was steering the Austin up a narrow road when he found his way blocked by a dozen monkeys. There were another dozen observing from the trees.

He honked his horn in an attempt to scatter the pack but instead three monkeys jumped onto the bonnet while several others tried to climb inside. He managed to

words | Reg Reynolds

get his windows closed in time but then about eight of the monkeys scampered onto the roof.

The stalemate lasted until the alpha male stole one of the windscreen wipers and leapt into the trees enabling Fassett to make his escape.

Unfortunately for posterity Fassett guaranteed the interviewer that none of the monkey chatter would be heard on his broadcast.

James Fassett began his career at Boston where he announced for station WBZ and wrote music criticism for the Boston Herald. He switched to CBS Radio in 1936 and was promoted to Director of Music in 1942. He held that post until retirement in 1963. Fassett was the author of the book Italian Odyssey and the composer of Symphony of the Birds a work made up entirely of bird calls.

He died at Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in 1986, aged 82. n

71

media

art

Just for the show:

words | Elena Scialtiel

art smart with Ambrose “GBC television has dedicated plenty of shows to music, politics, sports, biography, social and women issues; it’s about time contemporary art was in the spotlight,” local artist Ambrose Avellano so introduces his Where the Art? talk-show, debuting on Monday 5th August and running for 13 weeks.

Of course GBC produced the innovative Abstractus, presented by the new Fine Arts Association president Paul Cosquieri, but that was a very hands-on (and enjoyably messy) art class to introduce wannabes to the tricks of the trade. Ambrose’s show approaches art from the discerning consumer’s point of view, and features a philosophical slant and a critical overview of past and present masterpieces — or so considered by society.

The essence of these programmes is in fact the very title question that guests are asked about two parallel or contrasting artworks

Ambrose places in front of them, or better said, feeds to their honest critical review.

If it is perfectly legitimate for them to answer there ain’t no art at all and the piece is just a con, it is equally legitimate for Ambrose to challenge them to debate further the reasons why they feel that way.

The programme format is typically based on two pieces of art, whether paintings, sculptures, installations or ready-mades, chosen

by Ambrose and submitted to his guests in advance for them to research and explore the criteria behind the similarities or dissimilarities

Ambrose saw in them in the first place.

Classics of the stature of Picasso, Matisse Cezanne, Rembrandt, Da Vinci were chosen, popular and familiar to the average Joe, and juxtaposed to contemporary controversial art, often known only to those ‘in the know’.

“I pick a classic artwork from the period spanning the Renaissance right through to Modernism and then a contemporary one, that in my view is their contemporary equivalent in terms of subject matter, but I don’t tell my guests why, because it would be putting words in their mouth.”

Guests have been harvested from all walks of life — curators, art collectors, writers, art lovers, art teachers, lawyers, journalists and even politicians. They find themselves working out differences in style or concept, but this is not a school exam or a ‘Are You Smarter Than a 10-year Old’ session, so there are no wrong answers, only creative ones, because after all, almost everything in life is an act of creativity, and everyone is artistically minded, in Ambrose’s view.

“We’re aesthetic beings,” he explains, “we all have our own artistic taste we exercise daily whether decorating our homes or shopping for clothes.”

He believes that art must work ‘in the street’ to be considered proper art: any artwork that makes passers-by stop and stare in awe when casually left lying around uncaptioned in a busy street can indeed be considered art, while anything mistaken for rubbish... well... that’s exactly what it is.

The dilemma remains: is this an innate taste or is it acquired through indoctrination by critics, fashion designers, collectors, etc?

“

We’re aesthetic beings, we all have our own artistic taste we exercise daily whether decorating our homes or shopping for clothes

”

72

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Is the man of the street dictated what to cherish as art and what to dismiss as tart by collectors and curators who make a living of trading and exhibiting everyday objects like unmade beds or urinals, calling them ‘Art’? Are they indeed Art (the one with the capital A, of course)?

Ambrose thinks that indeed they have a very strong influence on art students. He goes even further, calling some museum or art gallery’s curators ‘accomplices’ to young artists trying to place their work on public display.

Today it isn’t enough for the artist to claim a work to be a piece of art: the curator has to agree and hence promote their work. Patronage is important too, and public cultural entities seek it as a form of investment, but the big bang always comes when big money is at stake.

Basically it ain’t art until an investor/curator places it on a plinth: and so, a scrunched blank A4 paper made its way into a prestigious gallery! And we all know the story of Tracey Emin’s unmade bed with used condoms in it.

In this case, the justification is that the art lies (excuse the pun!) in the unarguable fact that the exhibit contains the artist’s actual DNA, making it a piece of hyperrealism.

Within Ambrose’s selection, my favourite is the notorious Banksy, whose pseudo cave graffito fragment featuring a prehistoric warrior pushing a supermarket trolley went undetected for a week at the New York Natural History Museum: the art here undoubtedly is in the cheeky prank and the artist’s ability not to be caught when passing security and placing the rock in a glass case amidst other exhibits, to make it palatable to inattentive visitors. Indeed Banksy proved a point — hats off to this elusive and sly social commentator.

Even the classics were at some point ‘contemporary’ and perhaps controversial, that’s why Ambrose picked groundbreaking artwork in its own right, like Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, here compared to Picasso’s Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) where perspective is purposely smashed and annihilated in a massive conceptual shift.

And the Impressionists were spat at when unveiled, trashed as rough work by those who hadn’t understood that life is all about a splash of colour!

Being an artist was and still is a difficult profession, because one must always be ahead of one’s time, seek patronage but at the same time be free from ‘political’ constraint and be able to make an independent living. Most of all, an artist must be tenacious and brave enough to be his or her worst critic before disclosing it to the world and being taken seriously.

“Art is created by feeling and believing in one’s creation no matter how much it is criticised. You don’t go for a specific style or subject matter just because it is fashionable,” Ambrose says. “On the other hand, patronage must be encouraged and encouraging. Gibraltar, for its modest size, is quite supportive of fine arts and I’ve noticed local artists’ honest attempts at creative new ideas drawing inspiration from international currents.”

Where’s the Art?’s 13 episodes are recorded in cultural venues like the Fine Arts Gallery in Casemates, the Garrison Library, the Museum and the Mackintosh Hall to stress that art encompasses everything and can happen everywhere. It’s going to be artful indeed! n

“

Art is created by feeling and believing in one’s creation no matter how much it is criticised. You don’t go for a specific style or subject matter just because it is fashionable

”

image: Naked Man image by Banksy, on a wall in Park Street, Bristol.

Following popular support, the City Council decided the grafitti will be allowed to remain GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

73

photo finish

images of the month

74

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Big Sky is the theme for August’s images of the month, and doesn’t it make you feel just grand to live in such an amazing place?

The first shot shows the beauty and calm at the end of a balmy summer’s day. The second shot shows the dreaded Levante in all its glory — look at it, just hanging over us in town! And the final shot (above) shows our unique location — dangling from the tip of Europe with Africa just a stone’s throw away.

One side the warm Mediterranean waters and the other the cool Atlantic breezes.... Hang on! Isn’t that the reason for the dreaded Levante?

Above: Our strategic position by Moses Anahory Left top: Gibraltar view by Nicky Sanchez Left bottom: Levante over the Rock by Zbyszek Skowyrski

Get involved If you have a fabulous photo taken in

Gibraltar (landscape, streetscene, people, places) and you’d like to see it in print, send it to The Gibraltar Magazine — email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi.

We’ll feature our favourite photos each month and you’ll see your name in lights (well ink anyway!).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2013

Gibraltar’s Cardboard Boat Race is Back Part of Gibraltar’s social calendar since 2009, the Charity Cardboard Boat Race is back for its fifth outing on 24th August.

Once a secret known only to the Rock, the race is now known to millions thanks to its appearance on Channel 5’s recent documentary Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun. The Charity Cardboard Boat Race in Ocean Village offers family-friendly summer fun and, as usual, there will prizes for winners (and losers under the moniker ‘Best Titanic Sinking’) as well as those who have been particularly creative in their boat-design and fancy dress costumes. A bouncy castle will be on hand for the little’uns as well as live music and commentary throughout the racing.

For 2013 a new rule has been added to the intentionally strict list of regulations, and this enforces a minimum of two people in every boat. Otherwise they follow much the same as last year to put everyone at the same (dis)advantage. The entire boat must be built of corrugated cardboard (wood, plastic, fibreglass, flotation foam etc banned). Use of proper paddles and oars is permitted.

The event is organised by the William Tilley Lodge and proceeds go to various Gibraltar sports associations and GBC Open Day. There is a £25 registration fee for adult teams and £10 for child teams. n

Raffle winners A raffle was held last month

to raise funds to get the Gibraltar Youth Prayer Group to World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July. The sweet tree prize was made and donated by Rina Devine and was won by Jaya Bazaar. The funds raised were added to other funds from another raffle of a cake donated by the Mayor of Gibraltar.

Email akearns@gibtelecom.net, wayne.warwick@gem.gi

75

photo

call The restaurant specialises in delicious Mediterranean dishes (rice, fish, a variety of seafood and meats from Avila and Segovia) and offers high standards of food at reasonable prices.

Host, Juan Ruiz Benitez, has been involved in the restaurant business since 1964 and has managed and owned various successful restaurants. After an education at La Escuela de Hosteleria in San Roque (Cádiz) he worked as chef at the Hotel Pueblo Andaluz in Marbella and then moved on to other well known restaurants where he gained a great reputation for his unique culinary techniques.

Definitely somewhere to try tucked away from the crowds at Marina Bay for a Mediterranean style treat for a quick lunch or relaxing dinner.

El Faro restaurant has a seating capacity of 120 people and is also available to book for private functions and celebrations of all kinds.

El Faro Restaurant opens at Marina Bay After a complete refurbishment, the premises previously known as the Marina Inn at Marina Bay has reopened its doors as El Faro, under the management Juan Ruiz Benitez, the well-known restaurateur from La Linea and supplied exclusively

by Anglo Hispano.

M E D I T E R R A N E A N . F O O D

For bookings or enquiries at El Faro restaurant, Tel: 200 79241 See more photos of the opening on the Around Town pages 86-87.

Tourist Fun.... Above: This photo was sent in by Kelly Webb and shows three of her daughters having fun at Europa Point.

Right: Charlie’s friend Hicham loved his time spent on the Rock visiting his friend recently — his first time away from Morocco — and now he is famous!

Photo Call...

EL FARO Restaurant The Square, Marina Bay Gibraltar Tel: +350 200 792 41

76

Send us your pictures taken in Gibraltar and we will try to include them.

You don’t have to be a VIP (everyone is a VIP to us), so snap, snap away and email the photos to info@ thegibraltarmagazine.com. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

photo call

Raju and chef Ram Narayan at Raj’s Curry

A curry-lover’s dream...

For lovers of something spicy Raj’s Curry House has opened its doors in Queensway Quay (next to the Waterfront Restaurant).

Owned by familiar face Raju Surti, who has been providing Gibraltar’s curry lovers with delicious food for many years, this new venture is great for casual eat in or take away meals.

Raju and the team are serving all the favourites from chicken

Rogan Josh, to lamb Danshak, king prawns Jalfrezi and Bhuna paneer to name just a few. Try the special cheese Naan, or the spinach Bhajias, or the delicious lemon chicken Tikka Masala... The main problem is deciding what to choose (and remember to ask them what the special of the day is). n Raj’s Curry House is open 7 days a week from 11am to 3pm and 6pm until late.

Tel: 200 46993 for takeaway orders or to reserve a table. Catering and party orders also welcome.

Photo call... Thanks to Mike for sending in this fabulous photo of himself with grandchildren, twins Zelda and Oscar, on the Upper Rock.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

77

Cool it!

As the temperatures soar, keep it cool with icy treats this August.

Coconut, Fig & Blackberry Ice-cream makes 1 litre

Ice-cream makers come in all shapes and sizes and range from £10 for a manual device to over £300 for serious ice-cream lovers with larger families. The one you choose will depend on your budget and the size of your family but you can get decent ones for around £25.00.

We love this dairy-free ice-cream — it is a very grown-up recipe and suitable for just about any occasion.

y ab

B e Ic 78

10 fresh ripe figs zest of 1 lemon 6 tbsp water 1/3 cup desicated coconut, unsweetened fresh ginger, 1 inch (2,5 cm), minced 1/2 cup (1,2 dl) honey (add more if you like sweet ice-cream - taste as you are making it) 2 cups (5 dl) coconut milk juice of half a lemon 15 blackberries (frozen or fresh)

Trim the figs and chop. Place in a saucepan with the lemon zest, water, desicated coconut and ginger. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the figs are tender.

Add honey and around 10 blackberries. Continue to cook for about 15-20 minutes (you might want to lower the heat a bit) until it reaches a jam-like consistency.

Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. With a blender quickly whizz it to mix with the coconut milk and lemon juice. Leave some fruit chunks here and there. Chill well in the fridge before you put the mixture in an ice cream maker for about 25 minutes. Serve with fresh blackberries and a few leaves of fresh lemon balm. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

food appetite Chilled Roasted Tomato Soup

A deliciously sweet chilled summer soup, this roasted tomato delight is so simple to make... anyone can do it!

This recipe couldn’t be easier and tastes delicious. It’s a great alternative to Gazpacho as a starter or light lunch on on of Gibraltar’s a hot August days.

1kg ripe tomatoes, halved 4 tbs extra virgin olive oil 5 garlic cloves salt and black pepper 2 tsp brown sugar 150ml vegetable stock

Place the tomatoes on a baking tray with the crushed garlic cloves. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the sugar and olive oil.

Roast in the oven at 180°C for about 45 minutes — the tomatoes should be lightly browned and giving up their juices.

Remove the tray from the oven and leave to cool. Remove the garlic cloves and set to one side.

Push the tomatoes through a sieve to remove the skins. Clean the sieve then push the garlic cloves through adding any juices from the pan.

Thin the mixture to a nice consistency with the stock.

This soup is deliciously sweet and best served with a spoonful of pesto, some creme fraiche and a few basil leaves arranged in the centre. n

Chilled roasted tomato soup is a delicious treat in the hot weather

Anyone for a Pimm’s?

Take a jug or long drink glass and fill it with ice. Mix 1 part Pimm’s No.1 with 3 parts chilled lemonade; add some mint, cucumber, orange and strawberry When entertaining, fill a jug with the Pimm’s mix and top up tall glasses. What could be easier? Okay, sitting back and drinking it...

Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

Grand Casemates Square Tel: 200 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

44449 for reservations 79

appetite

e to wher drink eat & the on k Roc

Café Solo Modern Italian eatery set in 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

Cafe Rojo

restaurants

Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Brunch (10am12pm) includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious desserts.

Lunch 12-3pm, dinner 7-10pm; dishes such as Marinated Tuna Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; pastas or risottos such as Roast Pumpkin, Mushroom, & Spinach Curry, 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: 10am. Closed Sundays and Saturday lunchtime.

Nunos Italian

Nunos Italian Restaurant, overlooking the Mediterranean, is popular with hotel guests, tourists and local residents. This 2 rosette rated, AA restaurant is renowned for its eclectic interior, intimate atmosphere and fine cuisine. Savour a wide selection of freshly prepared Italian delicacies, including bread, pasta, meat and fish, followed by delicious desserts. In the summer months, the hotel offers alfresco dining for private parties in the Garden Grill. Sitting nestled in the colonial garden you can enjoy a mouth-watering menu of charcoal-grilled meats and freshly prepared salads in candlelit surroundings.

Open: Mon-Sun 1-3pm lunch, 7–11pm dinner

Cafe Rojo 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738

Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay Tel: 200 76501 Email: reservations@caletahotel.gi

Casa Pepe

The Waterfront

A delightful terrace, bar, restaurant on the prestigious Queensway Quay Marina. Wonderful location for business meetings, weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. Specialising in fresh fish caught locally with daily specials including seabass, dorada, sole, and bream, plus a very comprehensive a la carte menu. Also available are tapas and raciones (double size tapas) to share (or not!) prior to a main course. Mixed paellas also available, as well as fish cooked in rock salt, whole suckling pig and baby lamb to order.

Open: Tues-Sat lunch & evening, Sunday lunch only, closed Mondays.

Right on the quayside at Queensway Quay Marina, this restaurant offers everything from coffee through to 3-course meals with champagne! A bar snack menu is available all day from 10.15am; the a la carte menu from midday to 10.30pm, featuring daily specials. The barbecue grill from 7pm offers sumptuous steaks aged in-house, and fab fish including dorada and sea bass. A delicious array of desserts/ice creams. Extensive terraces provide ideal location for summer dining and drinks with stunning sunsets. Caters for large parties - weddings, holy communions, birthdays etc. Est. over 16 years.

Open: 7 days a week 9am-late

Casa Pepe, 18 Queensway Quay Marina, Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe@gmail.com.

Visit: www.gibtour.com/casapepe.

The Waterfront Queensway Quay Marina. Tel: 200 45666 Visit: www.gibwaterfront.com

80

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. Daily specials on blackboard. No smoking.

Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449

Solo Bar & Grill

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! Available for private functions and corporate events — call 200 62828 to book your function or event.

Open: 12-8pm.

Solo Bar & Grill Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828

Get Listed!

Do you own a restaurant, café, or bar in Gibraltar?

Get your business listed here

CALL 200 77748 for details GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

Do you own a restaurant, café, or bar in Gibraltar?

Get your business listed here

CALL 200 77748 for details Amin’s Office Sit down, informal and friendly bar with informal eating. 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. Terrace, just off Main Street (turn left at Trafalgar Pharmacy coming from Casemates).

Open: 7am to midnight.

Amin's The Office 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932

Buddies Pasta Casa 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.

Outside seating too.

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm, Sat 11am-4.30pm Buddies Pasta Casa 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627

Get Stuffed Very popular takeaway, sandwich bar and hot food.

Serving all fresh and homemade sandwiches, salads, soups, pasta, pies, cup cakes, plus hot/cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day. Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open: 8am - 4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat. Get Stuffed Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006

Just Desserts

food & drink

directory Mumbai Curry House Indian cuisine, eat-in/take-away, from snacks (samosas, bhajias, pakoras) to lamb, chicken and fish dishes such as korma, tikka masala, do piaza. Large vegetarian selection. Halal food. Outside catering for parties/meetings. Sunday Mumbai favourites such as Dosa & Choley Bhature.

Open: 7 days a week 11am - 3pm, 6pm -late.

Mumbai Curry House Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 200 50022/33

Oasis Eatery

Located in Governor’s Parade, just across from the Elliot Hotel, and offers hot/cold drinks plus a delicious homemade selection of baked items such as cakes and quiches, also sandwiches and wraps, bagels and cupcakes. Vegan/vegetarian items. Oasis is on Facebook and Twitter and you can pre-order online which is handy for a quick lunch.

Special orders taken for a range of bakery goods.

Fully licensed for beers and wine. Terrace seating.

Open: 8am to 3pm

Oasis Eatery Govenor’s Parade Tel: 200 65544 www.oasiseatery.com

Pick a Bite Morning coffee and daily lunch specials, one of largest selections of traditional home made food, to eat in or takeaway. All the old favourites — spinach pie, croquettes, quiche, spanish omelette, shepherd’s pie and more. Delicious sandwiches, baguettes, ciabatta melts and wraps, with a variety of fillings. Salads, snacks and soups. Cakes and muffins for those with a sweet tooth. Friendly, cheerful and very reasonal prices. Terrace seating.

Open: Monday to Friday 8am - 3pm.

Pick A Bite 10 Chatham Counterguard Tel: 200 64211

Picadilly Gardens

e to wher drink eat & the on k Roc

Sacarello Coffee Co Converted coffee warehouse, great coffee, homemade cakes/ afternoon tea, plus menu and excellent salad bar with quiche selection, 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 Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625

Raj’s Curry House Raj’s tasty Indian cuisine is now available to eat in or take away, from his new fully refurbished premises in Queensway Quay next to the Waterfront. Serving authentic dishes such as Creamy Butter Chicken, Bhuna King Prawn or Chana Masala, and so much more. There is something available to suit all tastes. Pop in or telephone for food orders or table reservations.

Open: food served 7 days 11am- 3pm, 6pm-late Raj’s Curry House Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 46993

Solo Express Located next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a variety of salads/baguettes (white, brown, ciabatta) filled with a deli selection such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or humous, avocado & roast red pepper. Salads fresh and tasty (Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta etc), great value. Jackets, quiches, coffee plus cakes (flapjacks, muffins) available all day. Eat-in area. Soups in winter.

Solo Express Grnd Flr, ICC, Casemates & Eurotowers

The Tasty Bite

B r i g h t a n d a i r y, recently redecorated cafe on the first floor of the ICC. All homemade food including daily specials, vegetarian options, desserts and small cakes. Eat in or takeaway. Try their daily roast with everything on, or their all-day breakfast. Pensioner’s lunch - 2 course meal for £5.25. Friendly, cheerful and fully licensed.

Open: from 7.30am Monday to Friday

Relaxed bar restaurant located near to the Queen’s Hotel and Cable car, it has a cosy garden terrace, which is great for drinks, tapas and food al fresco.

English breakfast, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, paella by pre-order, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or takeaway. Open: 6:30am till late.

Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken and everything else you can think of! Try the quiches, tortillas and jackets spuds with all kinds of fillings. This little place gets busy with those popping out from the offices for lunch so get there early.

Open: Monday - Saturday.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014

Piccadilly Gardens Rosia Road, Tel: 20075758

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town. Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

informal food

Get Listed!

81

food & drink

directory informal food

Verdi Verdi All day coffee plus all homemade and delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh baked bread and desserts.

A selection of bagels (try the smoked salmon and cream cheese) and baguettes to eat in or take away. Try the light homemade pizzas, or the falafels and humous. Daily special soups are fabulous and filling. Ask for Idan's hot homemade chilli relish — sweet and scrummy.

Open: Mon/Thurs: 7.30-6, Fri 7.30-5, Sun 10-3.

Verdi Verdi ICC, Casemates Tel: 200 60733

Get Listed!

Do you own a restaurant, café, or bar in Gibraltar?

Get your business listed here

CALL 200 77748 for details All’s Well

Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18th century practise of locking gates to the city at night when the guard called ‘All’s Well’. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod & chips and steak & ale pie plus a range of salads and jacket potatoes. Large terrace.

Karaoke Mondays and Wednesdays until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

All’s Well Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987

bars & pubs

Bridge Bar & Grill

Located on the water’s edge, Ocean Village, just across the bridge from O’Reilly’s.

This bar & grill is a fusion of an American themed menu with Tarifa chill out style. Open for breakfast from 9am serving healthy options, freshly squeezed orange juice and Italian Lavazza coffee. Try the spicy Caribbean rum ribs, southern fried chicken bucket, the popular Texas burger or a selection of tasty salads and homemade desserts. London Pride, San Miguel & Carling beer on draught, live sports.

Bridge Bar & Grill Ocean Village Tel: 200 66446

82

Cannon Bar

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.

Cannon Bar

Gibraltar Arms On Main Street opposite the cathedral, enjoy a meal, coffee or a cool beer on the terrace and watch the world go by!

Bar decorated with rare military plaques from regiments and navy ships visiting Gibraltar. Full breakfast menu served from 7am, draught beers on tap include Old Speckled Hen bitter, Murphys Irish stout, Heineken lager and Strongbow cider.

Gibraltar Arms 184 Main Street. Tel: 200 72133

Jury’s Café-Wine Bar

Next to the Law Courts, with a terrace seating area, Jury’s has a selection of Ciabattas, paninis, baguettes and wraps, plus popular sharing dishes, such as Your Honour’s platter. Jacket potatoes, main courses, pasta and some innocent salads too.

For those with a sweet tooth, there are tantalising homemade desserts, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, as well as Lavazza coffees and frappes.

Open: 7am-midnight Mon-Sat, 9am-midnight Sun. Jury’s Café & Wine Bar 275 Main Street. Tel: 200 67898

Lord Nelson

Bar/brasserie in Casemates.

Done out like Nelson’s ship.

Starters & snacks include fresh mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses from chilli con carne and chicken & mushroom pie, to crispy duck burrito and fish & chips.

Jackets, burgers and kid’s menu. Live music on stage nightly. Spacious terrace.

Open: 10am till very late.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 Visit: www.lordnelson.gi

e to wher drink eat & the on k Roc

The Lounge Stylish lounge bar on the quayside at Queensway Quay with very reasonable prices and light bites from 10am until late.

Popular quiz on Sundays (from 7.30pm) and a relaxed friendly atmosphere... always plenty of people / yachties to chat to. Events (matches etc) covered on large screen TV. Great place to chill out.

Open: 10am Mon - Sat until late and from 12pm on Sun (get there early for a seat for the quiz).

The Lounge Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118

O’Reilly’s Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports coverage and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from 9am). Guinness on draught. Food includes salads, jackets, beef & Guinness pie, Molly’s mussels, drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato pancake wrapped around delicioius fillings), sandwiches, rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

O’Reilly’s Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888

Star Bar

Gibraltar’s oldest bar, just off Main St. Small cosy and famous for its full English breakfast from 7am (9am on Sunday). A full menu including fish & chips, until 10pm. The home of Star Coffee, draught beers include Heineken, Old Speckled Hen, Murphys and Strongbow cider. Managed by Hunter Twins from Stafford, England, also home to Med Golf & Tottenham Hotspur supporters club.

Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Visit: www.starbargibraltar.com

The Three Owls 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, dartboard, 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.

The Three Owls Irish Town. Tel: 200 77446 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

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

Visit us and step back in history

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

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

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

GLMS Music Venue of the Year.

Official Home to Gibraltar Rugby Club Free WiFi

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

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

DAILY SPECIALS Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449 take-away or reserve a table

Tel: 200 46993 7 days 11am - 3pm, 6pm - late

Queensway Quay (next to Waterfront)

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

restaurant bar guide &

TASTY INDIAN CUISINE

Get Stuffed!

Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006 Take-Away, Sandwiches & Hot Food Different Special Every Day salads, soups, pastas, pies, cupcakes, all home made Open 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

Casa Pepe Open: Mon-Sat 11am-late 18 Queensway Quay Marina Tel/Fax: 200 46967

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924 GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• AUGUST AUGUST 2013 2013

83 83

A truth universally acknowledged words | Peter Rodney

Irony is, it seems, a peculiarly English trait. The whole point of the first sentence of Pride and Prejudice is that it is ironical. Most of Jane Austen’s humour is based on irony: add other authors from Thomas Hardy to Kingsley Amis. Other languages can get the idea but in far too obvious a way; the subtlety of the irony is lost. They have to thump you over the back of the head with the joke rather than allowing you to appreciate it for yourself.

84

So it is a delight to welcome ‘The Arrogant Frog’. My Wines has a wide selection of his stuff. All of it (particularly the ‘reserve’) is good and reasonably priced – from £5 to £9. The cork is printed with the motto: ‘The Humble Winemaker’.

Congratulations, Monsieur, you have the right idea. Since you can raise a smile while I open one of your bottles then I am already well disposed towards you. Despite using English as their language, the Americans, South Africans, Australians and New Zealanders still feel that it is necessary to thump you over the back of the head; here is a foreigner who can use one of our own weapons to his advantage.

Meanwhile, we seem to have gone somewhat wild in celebrating various sporting successes (Christopher Froome winning the Tour de France, and the Ashes still in the balance at the time of writing). Traditional English understatement has disappeared out of the window in the case of Andy Murray.

It has been suggested, by the Prime Minister no less, that he should get a knighthood for winning a tennis match. Splendid result and all that, and the transformation from grumpy Scot into honorary Englishman has been wonderful to behold, but his rewards are surely sizeable enough already. It rather demeans the honour, usually given for distinguished service over a number of years, to give it for a couple of good services over the net. Let us bring back a sense of proportion and keep the upper lip stiff.

One of the great advantages of being British is the effortless superiority. Other nations blow their own trumpets at length but simply cannot cope with the condescending smile given to their antics by the Brits. As Flanders and Swann sang: ‘All other nations aren’t really so bad

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

wine It’s knowing they’re foreign that makes them so mad’.

I was recently in the South of France and found a stone marking the spot where Napoleon landed after escaping from Elba in 1815.

From there, at the beginning of ‘the 100 days’, he marched up what is now known as the Route Napoleon to Paris. A plaque on the small street opposite the stone marks: ‘Here begins the Route Napoleon’.

At the time I rather wished I had a spray can with me to add to the plaque: ‘and it ends at Waterloo’.

But that wouldn’t have been a very British thing to do.

Part of the training of young diplomats joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office involves what to do when they are unsure of the line to take at an international meeting. The instructions are: ‘When in doubt, agree with the last speaker and end with a tribute to the French’.

When asked why a tribute to the French should be given, the reply comes: ‘Well, it does no-one any harm and they like it’.

This is the attitude that has served British Diplomacy so well over the years.

Since a tribute to the French may be called for, then I have an unexpected one.

In the past I have been rather dismissive of rosé wines, with one or two exceptions such as the Chilean Torres at Anglo Hispano (about £8 when last looked at).

But a week on the Cote d’Azur managed to persuade me that an AC Cotes de Provence rosé is really very acceptable. It is paler and drier than Spanish, Italian (and even Chilean) equivalents.

Nicely chilled, it is a beaker full of the warm South.

As always, it may be that the surroundings add to the pleasure one finds in a particular wine: I must admit that the cicadas in the background, the odour of pine and

column

lavender, the view over to Cap d’Antibes (and the price of about €4) contributed quite a lot. But there is no reason why the same pleasure should not be found in Gibraltar if one substitutes the noise of motorbikes and a view of the refinery for the chirruping of cicadas etc.

Morrison’s have an ordinary one at £6, others can be found at Anglo Hispano and My Wines at a similar price. The trick is not to go for the more expensive ones in prettier bottles: if you do so, you are paying for the bottle, not the contents.

August offers heat and dust, holidays and an over-abundance of young children let loose in the daytime (and, indeed, in the evenings). But a gentle smile, a glass of rosé de Provence and the knowledge that September is not too far away should enable you to get through the month.

Just try not to go out in the midday sun, whatever the song says; give a superior smile to any importunate foreigner; and retain a sense of humour. The irony is that the foreigners will be trying to do the same. It is a truth universally acknowledged that they can’t do it so well. n

r y ou Enjo side y qua ace e t rr

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

85

d n u o r � ow� �

It’s August and the temperatures are rising and everyone is looking tanned and lovely. It’s that time of year when most people seem to be either on holiday or wishing they were. One couple who are returning to work after their summer holidays this month are Annette and Luis of Cafe Rojo, on Irish Town, who will reopen the restaurant on 30th July after relaxing in the sunshine for a while.

A welcome return for all who have missed their cheerful faces and fabulous food.

While they were away two new culinary experiences opened. El Faro at Marina Bay is now serving up delicious Mediterranean food under the expert supervision of well-known restaurateur, Juan Ruiz Benitez. At the other marina, Queensway Quay, a very different dining experience has been opened by the popular Raju Surti — Raj’s Curry House is perfect for a casual meal in or a take-away.

Raju and chef Ram Narayan are serving all the Indian culinary favourites with big smiles, as this is Raju’s first solo venture in Gibraltar despite having been here for many years. Good luck to both establishments and we hope you thrive.

There were two other openings in July too, but of a more aesthetic nature — Clinica Tafur, centre of advance dental implantology opened within Claudia’s Clinic on Main Street and Valmont opened at the Specialist Medical Clinic in the ICC. Both fabulous places to make you look and feel years younger. (See pages 42-45 for details).

There are loads of events to attend in August as usual, from Summer Nights in Casemates (this year on Thursday and Saturdays), to the Cardboard Boat Race at Ocean Village on 24th (the day the fair starts at the Old Naval Hospital Ground). At the beginning of the month there is the spectacular sight of Harley Davidsons congregating in Casemates then riding around the Rock for the 8th Harley Davidson Rally on 3rd August. And at the very end of

Photos - taken at the opening of El Faro restaurant in Marina Bay

Photos: This page Visual Variety launch at Sacarello’s restaurant

86

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

the month (30th) there is the Beer Festival at the Bayside Sports Complex to help quench everyone’s summer thirst.

If you are feeling very energetic this August you could always try out for the new football club on the Rock — Phoenix had a very successful last season and are looking for more players to boost the club’s numbers. Try outs start on Monday 26th August at Devil’s Tower Camp — give Garry a call on 54014170 to find out more about this very sociable football club.

Well that’s it for this month — for all of you in air conditioned luxury, think of those who are out and about in the August heat as part of their working days.

It is back to school and university for all our students next month. September is also when we celebrate National Week with all the fun and entertainment that brings, so don’t forget to fill up at Gib Oil petrol stations during August to get your free patriotically red and white National Day T-shirt!

See you on Main Street!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

87

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 6.30pm8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm-9pm). Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am - 2pm.

Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer) -6pm (winter), Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

Exhibition Vin’s Gallery at the Rock, The Rock Hotel. Original paintings, prints, and souvenirs

by Vin Mifsud and her pupils. Monday - Saturday 9.30-11am and 8-10pm.

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 Knit and Natter Group: Tuesdays from 11am3pm, at Arts & Crafts Shop, Casemates balconyFree to join and refreshments provided. Tel: 20073865 for more information.

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet at the Rock Hotel on Mondays at 3pm. For further information please ring Vin at 20073660 or Roy at 20075995. All welcome.

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 Bellydance classes. Beginners level on Tuesday from 7-8pm at Danza Academy or 8-9pm at Ocean Village fitness centre. Tel 54005593.

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.

Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Flexibility, Hip Hop & Dance Theatre classes weekly at Urban Dance Studio for Performing Arts, 2 Jumpers Bastion. Tel: Yalta (54012212) or Jolene (54015125).

Ballet, Modern Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary & Hip Hop classes held weekly at Danza Academy, 68/2 Prince Edward’s Road. Training from 2.5 years to Adult Advanced. Royal Academy of Dancing and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing exams taken. Competing opportunity with IDF European & World Championships. Tel: Anne-Marie 54027111 or Zulieka 54003973.

Aerobics, Step, Dancercise & Zumba classes for women of all ages held weekly at Danza Academy, 68/2 Prince Edward]s Road. Contact Anne-Marie 54027111.

Zumba Classes at Urban Dance Centre, Jumpers Bastion, with certified instructor Tyron Walker. Every Mon and Weds 8-9pm. Contact 20063959 or 54012212.

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.

88

Don’t be bored... do something fun!

Music Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Tuesday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. New singers always welcome. Tel: 54831000.

St Andrew’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, 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 for all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. Over 5 million young people from 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 The Lounge friendly quiz on Sundays from 8pm right on the quayside at Queensway Quay.

Social Clubs 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.

Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at 7.30pm, 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 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. 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.

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).

Cheerleading: Gibraltar Cheerleading Association, girls/boys all ages. Chearleading and street cheer/hip hop at Victoria Stadium. Recreational / competitive levels. Contact Gina: 58008338.

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket, National Governing Body & Associate Member of ICC. Governs men’s, women’s, boys’ & girls’ cricket - league & cup competitions and in-schools coaching. www.gibraltarcricket.com email: info@gibcricket.com Twitter: @Gibraltar_Crick 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.

Gaelic Football Club (Irish sport): males of any age welcome. Get fit, play sport, meet new friends, travel around Spain/Europe and play an exciting and competitve sport. Training every Wednesday in La Linea 7-a-side pitches at 8.30pm. Andalucia League with Seville and Marbella to play matches home and away monthly. Email team@gibraltargaels.com or visit www.gibraltargaels.com.

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/juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 Peter 200 72730.

Iaido Gibraltar - teaches the Japanese sword (Katana), classes every week, visit www.iaidogibraltar.com Iwa Dojo, Kendo & Jujitsu, giving classes every week, for kids and adults, visit www. iwadojo.com email: dbocarisa@iwadojo.com Tel: 54529000 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.

Pilates: Monday & Wednesday 11-12am for beginners, and intermediate classes Monday & Wednesday 9:30-10:45am, at Shotokai Karate Centre. Contact Chantal: 60618882.

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 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 An-

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

glers (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).

Snooker: Members of European Billiards & Snooker Association - facilities at Jumpers Bastion with 3 tables. Professional coaching for juniors/seniors. Organised leagues/tournaments and participation in international competitions.

Tel: Sean Galligan 56262000 or Lee Prickman 54000068, email info@gibraltarsnooker.com Snorkelling & Spear Fishing: Over 14s for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 200 75020.

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: Ten-Pin Bowling takes place at King’s Bowl in the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre every day. To have a go call 200 77338 to reserve your lane. 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 Email:gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www.geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meets 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm.

All welcome.

Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

sport update

The Three Owls Spring League reached its conclusion in July after 5 weeks with overall winners The Sharks. They played very well in the earlier rounds but flirted with disaster on the penultimate week when they came from 4-1 down to win the match 5-4. Well done Astoria for making a close match of it.

The Don’t Give a Hoot team were runners-up, only scoring one frame against the Sharks in the final match. The Ant Hill Mob were the third team and were favourites for second place until beaten by Don’t Give a Hoot.

Congratulations to The Sharks.

Med Golf Update Med Golfers recently took part in The Gedime Motors Trophy at El Paraisos. 36 members met and the winner was Jonathan Rix with 41 pts. Jon won the trophy, 2 green fees on the San Roque Old Course and a Mercedes Benz pen.

The longest drive competition was won by Geoff Slade. Best gross score on par 3s was Roger Griffiths. Best pair was Jon and Chris Hill.

The next event is at Estepona Golf Club on 4th August, the season ending tournament which will sort out the final standings in the Order of Merit. Enter by contacting Paul at paul@medgolfsecure.com Player Rankings The 10 qualifiers for the BetVictor Med Golf Masters on San Roque Old Course on 7th September

Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues & Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support for single, separated, divorced/widowed people, meet 8pm Mon at St Andrew’s Church.

Mummy and Me Breastfeeding Support Group for mums who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breastfed to get together for coffee, chat and support. Partners and older children welcome. Meets first Wednesday of every month at Chilton Court Community Hall at 1.30pm. Enquiries and support 54014517.

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-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

2013 look like this.

1 36.0 Watkins Chris 2 35.0 Olivera Johann 3 34.8 Hunter Javi 4 34.2 Slade Geoff 5 34.0 Blessett Russell 6 34.0 Hill Chris 7 33.8 Harvey Mike 8 33.6 Warren Chris 9 33.6 To Denny 10 33.6 Sheriff Rodney

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. Meet alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For info 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).

For more details on Med Golf’s full schedule and the benefits of joining for just £59 per year (or take advantage of the 2 for the price of 1 offer which is valid when you and a golfing buddy join together), please visit www.medgolfgroup. com or contact Paul Appleyard on Spanish mobile 00 34 627331712 or by e-mail at paul@medgolfsecure.com. n

Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group for compulsive overeating problems. Tel: helpline for meetings info 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. Meet Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and ex-Service personnel and their families.

Tel: (5)5481. Email: Susan GIB-CST-JSWPA@mod.uk With Dignity Gibraltar support for separated, divorced/ widowed or single people. Meet Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel: 54007181 or 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hrs).

89

information

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered of great conservational value. It’s the perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa. 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 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 anyone who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. Sgt. Major Ince suggested tunnelling and there are over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside.

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 civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one 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-ibnZeyad (“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

90

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 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 with Nature Reserve ticket. Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. Narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years.

Housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a unique sandwich of armour plate/teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’.

Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

Closed 1pm - 2pm.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Rd, 9am - 7pm daily (free).

Business Information Financial Serv. Commission Tel: 200 40283/4 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 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. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi Tel: 200 70052 As well as

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.

offering normal fares, taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library.

308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Gibibikes is a scheme for public use of bikes taken from stations around the Rock. Visit www.gibibikes.gi for info.

Public Holidays 2013 Gibraltar & United Kingdom New Year’s Day Tuesday 1 January Commonwealth Day Monday 11 March* Good Friday Friday 29 March Easter Monday Monday 1 April Worker’s Memorial Day Friday 26 April* May Day Wednesday 1 May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 27 May Queen’s Birthday Monday 17 June Late Summer Bank Holiday Monday 26 August Gibraltar National Day Tuesday 10 September* Christmas Day Wednesday 25 December Boxing Day Thursday 26 December *Gibraltar only

Emergency Services

Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance................................... Tel: 190 Police............................................ Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number Tel: 112 Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station Tel: 200 75728 Police........................................ Tel: 200 72500 os Emergency N : .............Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

GibiBikes Locations • Frontier • Victoria Stadium • Waterport Road (Watergardens) • Waterport Road (Waterport Terraces) • Eurotowers • Reclamation Road (Leisure Centre) • Commonwealth Parade Car Park • Rosia Road (Jumpers building) • Rosia Road (Bayview Terraces) • Grand Parade Car Park (Cable Car) • Southport Gates (Ince’s Hall) • Line Wall Road (City Hall) • Line Wall Road (Orange Bastion) • Market Place • Eastern Beach Road (coming soon) • Catalan Bay (viewing platform) • St Joseph’s School • Europa Point • Rosia Parade Visit www.gibibikes.gi to find out more about how you can benefit from GibiBikes

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2013

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, La Bayuca, 21 Turnbull’s Lane, Gibraltar. Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

N

atural History & Heritage Park admission 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 under 4 free, vehicles £2.

Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times, tours available by taxi/mini bus. 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.

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