Gibraltar Magazine - February 2013

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

gibraltar the

February 2013 Vol. 18 # 04 FREE

Looking for Love?

Gaming & Gibraltar

Let’s Get Together & Make Happy Babies Walls of Colour

Strategy for the Young Banish the Winter Blues Let Them Eat Cake An Emotional Journey

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

g

ibraltar the

February 2013 Vol. 18 # 04 FREE

contents Business & Finance 8 Business & Finance Guide 9 Pensions: Consider your

Looking for Love?

Gaming & Gibraltar

Let’s Get Together & Make Happy Babies Walls of Colour

Strategy for the Young Banish the Winter Blues Let Them Eat Cake An Emotional Journey

18 # 04 February 2013 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 Email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi Publisher/Editor: Andrea Morton Forde Office Manager: Jolene Gomez 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 @gibmag

12 14 16 22

24 25

options?

Technology: Petrol App A Matter of Hospitality Sarah Miles: Fit to Practise Gibraltarian Writers Discussed at Major Conference HR: Tackling Absenteeism The Perfect Career?

Property File 27 Property Directory 28 Should I Buy in Gibraltar

30 32

or Spain?

Banish the Winter Blues Love Nests

Arts & Lifestyle 48 Breed 77 on Track 59 Strategy for the Young 60 Cricket: Our First Class

68 70 74 75

Team Creating Walls of Colour Netball for Life Image fo the Month People & Pets (you’ll love it!)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

18 # 04

Health & Well-being 54 Health Directory 55 Here’s Health - Vitamin C 56 Revolutionary Laser

Past Revisited 42 Prime Minister’s Pact

44

64

67

features

18 with Spain 46 Postcard leads to Titanic

Victim 50 English Painter’s Fascination with Catalan Bay An Emotional Journey

Appetite 78 Love Food 80 Food & Drink Directory 84 Wine Column: In Vino

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Therapy

Veritas

Regulars 66 Puzzle Page 86 Around Town:

Gaming & Gibraltar Jetstream: Un-covering the Dream Let’s Get Together & Make Happy Babies

love & romance 35 38 40 41

Let Them Eat Cake 20 Ways to Meet Your Lover V-Day 2013 Gifted

38

Information 62 City Centre Map 75 What’s On February 90 Gibraltar Information

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directory

financial services

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2013 2013 GIBRALTAR

finance

business

As our expectations of ageing change so must our pension provisions and expectations

pensions

consider your options

words | Ian Le Breton

You know how it goes. Spend less, pay off those credit cards, save more etc. And the resolution that has gained more currency in recent years — organise, or maybe re-organise, your pension arrangements.

Why are pensions taking up so many more column inches these days? After all, you can’t pick up one of those expat freebie newspapers in Gibraltar or the Costas without seeing endless articles and ads for one pension provider or another. I seem to be spending much more of my time these days speaking to individuals and intermediary firms about pensions and I think there are several straightforward reasons for the increasing level of interest.

Put simply, the realisation is dawning (or perhaps it dawned some time ago) that not only is life expectancy increasing, but the population itself is ageing. What I mean of course is that the proportion of older people compared to younger

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

generations is increasing year by year. This advances in health care and a better awareness is due to the double effect of a reducing birth of health issues in general. rate (although there doesn’t seem to be much There is nothing revolutionary in any of this of evidence of this in Gibraltar!) coupled with course. What has changed in recent years — as always this is just my own personal opinion — is the impact of the financial crisis, which affects everyone in one way or another. Five years on and the global economy shows no sign of bouncing back. One of the consequences is that individuals have to take more responsibility for their financial arrangements to see them through later life after retirement. As we all know, more people are living well into their 80s, 90s and beyond, so even retiring at 65 generally means you are making financial preparations for a long

The proportion of older people is increasing year by year. This is due to the double effect of a reducing birth rate coupled with improved health

business

finance

time ahead. And, of course, for anyone wishing to retire earlier the situation becomes even more critical.

When considering pension arrangements, the general advice has always been that the earlier contributions are started the better the final result. But in reality do young people in their 20s actively consider pensions these days? Please don’t write in if you are doing so, but my belief is that not enough people are being encouraged to provide for their financial future. When I was in my 20s the bank for which I then worked forced me to join their final salary scheme — more of which shortly. But these days, I can understand why “20 somethings” feel that other things take priority. Paying off student loans, saving for deposits on first homes or even just rental contracts are just a few examples. And then life changing events such as marriage and children come along too.

I remember when I was 25 that my projected retirement age of 60 seemed a very long way away. But of course, as my fellow quinquagenarians will attest, it seems to catch up with you very quickly. So it’s rather disconcerting to read in the press of poor investment performance, less than perfect advice being given (or even worse, no advice at all) and the like. Couple these negatives with the apparent complexity of available options and one can see why the whole issue of pensions can appear to be so off-putting.

So let’s turn to a couple of terms you will see in the press and try to demystify these confusing acronyms. I begin with the most commonly seen — QROPS — which stands for Qualifying

Code of programme standards published The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) has published a Programme Standards Code in accordance with section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2012. This Code replaces the Governor’s Directions to the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation and, for the first time, is a public document. It will apply to all broadcasters licensed under Gibraltar’s new Broadcasting Act. The Code addresses the concepts of taste, decency, harm and offence with regard to radio and television broadcasting in Gibraltar.

The main objectives of this Code are:

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Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. These can be used by British expatriates and others who have spent time working in the UK and have built up a pension there. QROPS enables them to transfer the value of such pensions into a non-UK scheme. But why would they do this?

The reason is that leaving the pension behind in the UK means that it remains subject to UK pensions law. UK income tax may be deducted at source – regardless of where one might now be living; UK investment restrictions continue to apply; and, on death, succession issues cause real concern.

For a more in depth look at these schemes, readers may wish to look back to my article in October last year (all back issues on are online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com). The legislation that governs QROPS was introduced in 2004 although it came into effect two years later. Eagle-eyed readers of the financial press may also have seen reference to a similar looking acronym — QNUPS. Again this refers to a pension governed by underlying UK legislation and the acronym itself stands for Qualifying Non-UK Pension Scheme.

The same rules also apply to anyone who has a UK pension and who has now left the UK: and, of course, there are many Gibraltarians in this position

• To promote responsible broadcasting in which entertainment, education and access to information and a range of views are enhanced and offence and harm are reduced.

The two types of scheme are similar but each is used for different reasons. A key differentiating factor is that funds that have not benefitted from UK tax relief should be used in a QNUPS. If one has a QROPS, it is always going to be a QNUPS. But a QNUPS is not necessarily going to be a QROPS. Are you still with me? It’s not difficult to see why you should seek advice.

But why should this concern us in Gibraltar?

In the case of QROPS, the answer is that these types of arrangements concern individuals with a UK pension who are living abroad (or are able to demonstrate an intention to emigrate), so one can easily understand why the Englishspeaking press in Spain is awash with pension service providers trying to promote their pension schemes.

But the same rules also apply to anyone who has a UK pension and who has now left the UK: and, of course, there are many Gibraltarians in this position. My advice to anyone who has worked in the UK at some point and therefore has a UK pension, is to consider carefully whether or not a QROPS might be suitable. It may be that the UK pension is relatively modest. If one worked in the UK for just a few years this is likely to be the case. So you should check whether the QROPS’ provider you are speaking to offers a “lite” version of their scheme — typically these are more keenly priced, although there may be restrictions on the investments allowed within the pension and so on.

As always, professional advice should be sought as early as possible because individual circumstances need to be considered. What works for your friend at the golf club may not work for you. For example, I am often asked if final salary pensions can be switched to a QROPS. They can, but one needs to consider very carefully whether this would be a wise move. Such pensions (if you can get them at all these days) are unusually highly-prized because the pension you receive is based on the final salary that you were drawing when you left the company concerned. Index-linked schemes, where future pension payments match inflation, are of course the best of all.

The one thing that is clear with pension planning is that you shouldn’t wait until you retire to start considering your options. It could be that you are living on your pension and other investments for almost as long as you are living on a salary or running your own business. And that goes for your dependents too. It therefore makes sense to pay as much attention to your future needs in financial planning as you do your current ones. So organising, or re-organising, your pension arrangements is one New Year’s resolution that you should stick to. Now off you go the gym! n

• To acknowledge the diversity of tastes and interests which exists within viewing and listening audiences and to facilitate broadcasting that caters for this diversity.

• To inform viewers and listeners on the standards they can expect from broadcasting services.

• To inform viewer and listener choice.

• To provide guidance to broadcasters in Gibraltar in relation to matters falling within the scope of the Code.

The Code is available to download from the GRA’s website at www.gra.gi. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 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

business

technology

Finding the Cheapest Petrol?

There’s an App for that!

Gibraltar-based company, 21FIFTY (www.21fifty. com), has released an iPhone app to help drivers save money at the petrol pump. The app can be downloaded to iPhones from Apple’s App Store to give the user instant access to up-to-date fuel prices at nearby petrol stations.

Users of the app are able to update prices and add new petrol stations, a feature which differentiates Filapp from most fuel price comparison services, which either go out-of-date quickly or charge a subscription fee to access the latest prices.

Filapp costs just 69p to download and provides lifetime access to updates and new features.

The app’s creators, Alex Capurro and Pete Boucher, have put together various software since studying together at Bayside Comprehensive.

“We always dreamed of building a business together but our career paths have never really converged until now and Filapp is the result,” said Pete who is the more design

oriented of the duo.

“When Pete came to me with the idea for this iPhone app it was the perfect timing. I’m an avid smartphone user and had been looking for an opportunity to write something new for the iPhone,” adds Alex who took the lead in the business and programming aspects of the project.

The economic crisis has put pressure on drivers in Spain to find the best value when filling up their vehicles, as evidenced by the busy petrol stations on Winston Churchill Avenue. “Not everyone is able to come to Gibraltar to fill up their cars, so I wanted to make it easier for drivers to find the best deals anywhere in the world,”

The economic crisis has put pressure on drivers in Spain to find the best value when filling up their vehicles, as evidenced by the busy petrol stations on Winston Churchill Avenue 12

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

technology

says Pete.

The ‘explore’ tab of the app, shows red marker pins at the map locations of nearby petrol stations, tapping a finger on the pin reveals the price of your chosen fuel and the opening hours of the station.

The App Store allows customers to give apps ratings and write reviews, which sometimes contain valuable suggestions to the creators and can shape future development of the app. In future updates to the app, Pete and Alex want to be led by the community of users.

Every iPhone app submitted for inclusion in Apple’s App Store goes through a stringent review process before it’s made available to iPhone

business

and iPad users. “We were thrilled when Apple approved our app on the first submission, it was a great endorsement of the many hours we’ve spent perfecting the product,” said Alex.

Filapp is just one of the many mobile applications developed by 21FIFTY. Future developments from 21FIFTY will include mobile applications for new Ford cars.

Plus plans for integrating Filapp into cars so fuel range and prices can be automatically calculated and shown in the car ’s central display. n Filapp is available for purchase now on the App Store and operates in English and Spanish.

Flight Information Gibraltar Air Terminal Ltd launched the new Gibraltar Airport website www. gibraltarairport.gi last month.

The site, designed by Piranha Designs in conjunction with Stuart Finlayson (the Government’s consultant on Airline Business Development) and Terence Lopez, Air Terminal Director, provides information for passengers and airport users.

Information includes live flight information, timetables, information for passengers with reduced mobility, terminal map, and links to web check-in.

by Gibair, this information is also available by calling 8998 or 20012345.

The arrivals and departures information is constantly updated

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport & the Port, the Hon Neil Costa

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business

finance

Andy Hunter, Barclays’ Paul Wharton and John Hunter at the Bridge Bar & Grill, Ocean Village

A Matter of Hospitality words | Paul Wharton

The hospitality industry in Gibraltar is one which is continually growing, with new restaurants and bars regularly appearing on the scene to cater for all tastes.

The last few years has seen an increase in sandwich shops, pubs and fine dining restaurants; however with the threat of the global recession looming, what is the secret to survival in this tough market?

This month, I will be speaking to brothers Andy and John Hunter, who took over Star Bar in Parliament Lane more than 20 years ago.

Hard work over the years has seen the business expand to include seven pubs and cafés in Gibraltar, offering customers breakfast, coffee, hot meals and beverages in places such as The Gibraltar Arms, Jury’s Café & Wine Bar, O’Reilly’s, Lord Nelson, Britannia Bar and The Bridge Bar and Grill.

“Each place is different and has

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a different clientele, so we’re able to offer something for everyone in Gibraltar,” they say. “We spotted the opportunities to expand as they came along.”

John, with the help of his father Malcolm, who passed away last year, acquired the Star Bar in 1990, and Andy joined him two years later.

The Government refurbishment of Casemates Square from the

former hostel to restaurants and also the development of Ocean Village allowed the brothers the opportunity to expand their business in both places, as well as to launch the Britannia Bar in the cruise terminal.

After the Star Bar, the first to come was Lord Nelson in Casemates Square more than 10 years ago, followed by O’Reilly’s — an authentic Irish pub — in 2006.

Last year, the business launched Jury’s Café & Wine Bar next to the law courts in the upper part of Main Street, which the brothers described as a beacon of light in an otherwise quiet part of town in the evenings

During this time the business expanded and the brothers took on the Gibraltar Arms.

Last year, the business launched Bridge Bar & Grill in Ocean Village and Jury’s Café & Wine Bar next to the law courts in the upper part of Main Street, which the brothers described as a beacon of light in an otherwise quiet part of town in the evenings.

Running seven outlets cannot be easy for Andy and John, they are complimented by a strong team of 85 individuals ensuring the smooth running of the business.

Despite a growth in the business itself, the effect of a downturn in the economy has had an effect on the business, and October and November were quieter than the previous year for the business however they made up ground

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

finance over Christmas and New Year having the best festive season to date.

I particularly like the way they have grown their business across a number of sites and yet it doesn’t feel like a chain. Not that I am anti-chains, I just don’t think it would work in a small community such as Gibraltar as I firmly believe that having each unit reflecting the colour of the local community and surrounding area works really well and the business then becomes part of the local community and returning customers get that feeling of coming home.

In the past I have largely talked about starting a business and what you need to consider and these things are not dissimilar to what you need to consider when expanding an existing business.

Let’s look at some of key issues.

First of all, in any business people come first so take a hard look at whether or not you have the right people in place to expand. Look at each one of your employees and figure out where they fit in and whether there are any training needs.

Secondly, I often find that business owners just think of the costs of expansion and not about how

the business could benefit from economies of scale. For example, if you expand your business and start buying more from your suppliers, would you then be able to negotiate a discount?

Another thing to note is that it is really important to think not only of your own business, you should also look at the market as a whole.

Can the market justify an expansion in the business and is there room for growth in the market?

Finally, let’s not forget that you will need to look at how you will finance your business expansion.

Do you have enough of your own money or do you need to turn to a bank to ask for finance. It becomes

a lot easier to obtain bank finance when you have a good track record. One great move that Andy and John made was to tap into some of the EU grants and funding that is available. I would encourage anyone considering starting a new business or expand their existing business to also take a look at what is on offer — take a look at the website www.eufunding.gi.

I’d like to emphasise the importance of social media once again, especially as it is becoming a crucial element for small businesses.

As I have mentioned before, small businesses can sometimes jeopardise themselves by ignoring social media.

I often find that business owners just think of the costs of expansion and not about how the business could benefit from economies of scale

business

Andy and John have enlisted the help of two marketing freelancers who are responsible for updating the Facebook pages for each restaurant and website, informing followers of events and offers, while collecting information from clients for their own client database.

Andy feels that the investment in this area has kept them ahead of the game. He said: “There are many more people who are going out to enjoy a meal, but there are many more businesses as well.”

Andy and John said that after launching two new businesses in 2012 they will spend this year focusing on fine tuning the individual venues, and while this is going on, I will sit back and enjoy a pint or two in the winter sun. 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.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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business

finance

Sarah Miles: Fit to Practise This month we speak to local lawyer, aerobics instructor and ballet dancer Sarah Miles about her career with ISOLAS and her life away from work.

You were admitted to the Gibraltar Bar as a fully qualified solicitor in December 2010 – tell us about your background and what attracted you to a legal career?

My background was more ‘arty’ than ‘legal’ in reality. Daughter to two doctors, who themselves chose art over science in their free time, I grew up watching my parents painting in the countryside with Mario (Finlayson). In school I enjoyed learning languages, studying English literature and the history of art. I was one of those geeky types who actually enjoyed my education because, for the most part, my teachers/tutors were quite interesting, so I didn’t mind the essays and projects entailed, if it meant I would learn more about the subjects I took an interest in.

The decision to pursue a career in law was a way of combining the humanities without narrowing potential stepping stones into other careers. A law degree, and the practice postqualification, ensures a level of attention to detail, discipline and the chance to build up

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client relationships. These are skills that can be applied to most professions (except maybe being a professional hermit!).

My brother, Chris, had just qualified as a barrister in 2004, the summer before I was due to start my first term at the University of Leeds, so his experiences when starting out in practice inevitably also influenced the commencement of my own legal studies.

We understand that you initially

“

I was one of those geeky types who actually enjoyed my education because, for the most part, my teachers/tutors were quite interesting

”

focused on private client and property work, including acting for government developers on the legal aspects of various residential developments in Gibraltar. This must have provided you with an interesting start to your career?

Shortly after qualifying, my supervising partner at the time presented me with the opportunity to act on behalf of a Government developer, whose day-to-day ground team were a pleasure to work with. Preparing the title documents for the purchases and attending to the various related queries and needs of the developer together acted as a catalyst to my interest in this area of the law.

As a result of acting for private clients in relation to special status residency in Gibraltar, in respect of which the purchase of approved accommodation in Gibraltar is a requirement, my practice inevitably became a mixture of Private Client and Property work.

Now part of ISOLAS Property & GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

legal Conveyancing team, where your work centres around the purchase/ sale or rental of residential and commercial property, what specific challenges are there in Gibraltar with this type of work, how do you see this area of law developing and what advice would you give somebody thinking of purchasing?

Properties will always change hands and lawyers have to be in place to ensure the requisite documentation is produced to reflect this. Given current market conditions, however, one of the challenges faced by most law firms is the undercutting of legal fees to ensure client retention.

The market for legal conveyancing is competitive given that most, if not all the law firms in Gibraltar offer this service, and the client can shop around. At ISOLAS, we aim to deliver the most cost-effective service with a more personal approach for the individual thinking of buying/ selling or renting to ensure that our clients come back to us time and again.

In terms of development, the law in this area has already seen substantial changes in the last year or so, with an overhaul of the registration process and the introduction of an online portal to ensure a more effective search and registration system.

An increase in rentals has been noted given the impact of the debt crisis on the banking sector which, in turn, has contributed to a reduction of the pre-recession generous lending practices and accompanying real estate purchases.

Whether you should buy at the moment depends on several factors, mainly: how long you envisage keeping the property for,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

whether bought as a home or an investment, and whether you can afford it and its upkeep, taking into account the on-going costs related to the repayment of loans (if any), services charges, rates and so on.

If the individual can afford it, there are good prices available at the moment, which will stand them in good stead once the market recovers and property prices rise once more.

You are a qualified aerobics instructor and give fitness classes at Atlantic Suites Health Club most weekends. There is now more focus on fitness and life-work balance as a way to enhance productivity in all aspects of life. Tell us your philosophy on this?

I think it is important to have a let-out or ‘escape’ from your daily work routine — whether it’s a leisurely walk with a friend or a full-on intensive run or participation in a team sport to work up a sweat. People seem to enjoy taking part in aerobic classes as they are a fun way to keep fit to music and provide an alternative to

“

If the individual can afford it, there are good prices available at the moment, which will stand them in good stead once the market recovers

”

career

the monotony of a treadmill session.

My gym classes usually consist of a 7-10 minute warm up, 30 minutes of step/ aerobic work, 15 minutes toning and a 5-8 minute cool down and stretch. It doesn’t really matter what you do, just as long as you do something.

Away from work, tell us what you enjoy in your leisure time.

Classical ballet, both the dancing and the teaching, keep me busy in the evenings. I have danced from a young age and am currently working towards becoming a Royal Academy of Dance accredited ballet teacher.

When not in the studio, and given that the majority of a solicitor’s working week is spent indoors, I like to be out and about with those close to me. It helps that my partner and friends are quite adventurous, as this ensures that my leisure time can be spent seeing a little of the world wherever possible.

And the future, what are your plans?

I think it is a futile exercise to try and plan your life too far in advance, so I prefer to have a series of shorter term goals which can be built on and adapted to changing circumstances as opposed to pre-planning everything and setting my life out in stone. n The information contained in this interview is not intended to constitute legal advice. Anyone wishing to contact Sarah for more information regarding a Property or Private Client-related matter can do so at sarah.miles@isolas.gi

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update

projects

Bordering on Britishness: An Oral History of Gibraltar in the 20th Century The Ministry of Culture has announced that Dr Andrew Canessa (University of Essex) and Dr Jennifer Ballantine Perera (Gibraltar Garrison Library) are recipients of a major award from the UK Economic and Social Research Council for their project Bordering on Britishness: An Oral History of Gibraltar in the 20th Century. The project will officially start in September 2013 and finish in March 2017.

Bordering on Britishness will focus particularly on experiences of the border with Spain and at its root is the simple question: what does it mean to be Gibraltarian? To this end it will hear the voices of a wide range of Gibraltarians from all sections of the community: including people from a range of religious groups; those

Dr Jennifer Ballantine Perera, Gibraltar Garrison Library

born in Gibraltar and elsewhere; younger people as well as older people; and also a small number of people in La Linea with Gibraltar connections. In all, the project will have at least 400 participants with approximately 1600 hours of interview.

A basic part of the research methodology of the project is that people be comfortable in speaking any language they choose so it was considered essential that the researchers be fluent in English and Spanish. Bilingual interviewing and oral history interviewing are very special skills. A key element of the project is the special training of 12 locally recruited research-

ers who will undergo training with Dr Andrew Canessa (an experienced anthropologist) and Dr Melissa Moyer (world expert on bilingual interviewing) before the project begins. Training and support will continue throughout the running of the project.

This is also a major opportunity to record the language of Gibraltarians as it is actually spoken and the audio material will be available on an open access website for current and future generations of Gibraltar. The project will fund the setting up of the website and the archiving of the data which will be handed over to the Gibraltar Government on completion of the project and will be kept at the Garrison Library.

One key element to the project’s successful bid was the fact that the data would be open to Gibraltarians and other researchers for years to come. It is envisaged, for example, that schools in Gibraltar use some of the material for their own projects that could then, in turn, be uploaded onto the website.

The project will be presented to community and religious groups at every stage. There will be a film by Nina Danino, two conferences (funded by the Gibraltar Government), two books and several scholarly articles. The research will also be disseminated in national and international conferences in the UK, Spain, other European countries and the US. This is a large project and nothing has ever been attempted on this scale before. We are very pleased to have this substantial grant from the UK Government for this major research project, which will provide a resource for generations to come. n

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

gaming

business

Gaming & Gibraltar

words | Mike Harvey, Director, KPMG Gibraltar

At the time of writing, we are putting the final touches to KPMG’s third Gibraltar eGaming Summit and we aim to build on what we have achieved over the past two years — thought provoking and topical themes.

It is while considering the content of the Summit that it has become apparent how much development there has been in this sector over the past two years since our initial Summit. From the impact of the US Department of Justice’s (“DoJ”) announcement on which online gaming products were covered by the Wire Act (and hence, by implication, the US Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and money laundering legislation) through to the “on

again, off again” moves to introduce state legislation permitting online gaming in the US, the novel approach by Spain to retrospectively issue tax demands to online operators who were at the same time submitting applications for licences to operate in Spain, the UK Government’s request for comment on its plans to “protect” UK consumers by requiring companies who wished to serve the UK market to be licensed in the UK (with the small matter of also

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

being liable for UK tax at the point of consumption), the DoJ settling with PokerStars, William Hill and GVC Holdings each taking a part

of one of online gaming’s true pioneers — Sportingbet, the big steps (and big deals) that gaming companies (and in particular Gibraltar

eGaming News KPMG are to hold the third annual eGaming Summit in Gibraltar on Thursday 11th April 2013 at the Caleta Hotel, where once again they will bring the sector’s major stakeholders and service providers together to discuss the jurisdiction’s potential in the global marketplace and wider trends for the eGaming Industry as a whole. For more information on this event, please contact Abby Kimber abbykimber@kpmg.gi.

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business

gaming

tar licensed gaming companies) have taken in the social gaming space such as 888 Holdings and Gamesys that both secured deals to provide real-money gaming on Facebook and then the potentially conflicting situation with Commissioner Barnier insisting that national laws on gambling must comply with EU laws.

A decade ago, those outside the industry may have ‘scoffed’ at the impact that the sector had on the Gibraltar economy and the Government’s and industry’s unrealistic ambitions for the future — today very few people doubt that eGaming’s already significant contribution to the Gibraltar economy will continue to grow and that it will provide a platform for other e-business sectors to take root here.

But despite this bullish statement, none of the senior people in the sector or Government are taking the future for granted; they are keenly aware of the international competition and the challenges.

It’s a ‘forewarned is forearmed’ approach that has been forged by the inevitable setbacks any pioneer suffers, setbacks which have served to temper the determination and sharpen the wisdom of the key movers in Gibraltar both in the public and private sectors.

One of Gibraltar’s strengths has long been the ability of the Government and companies to work together to tackle any challenges

20

head on. It is two of these challenges that I would like to pick up to discuss how I see them affecting Gibraltar.

Firstly, the UK plans to introduce a point of consumption tax which it justifies in part as a measure to protect UK consumers. We were fortunate enough to have HMRC speak at our eGaming Summit last year and the industry greatly welcomed the opportunity to hear first hand the reasons behind the move. However, even before the consultation period closed on 28th June 2012, it was apparent that there would be widespread resistance to it being introduced. Since the closure of the consultation period and the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement announcement it has become apparent that regardless of the representations made, the UK Government intends to implement this Regulation (and hence tax).

Moving to the EU action plan for online gaming, I am pleased to see that some consistency may be about to enter the regulation of gaming in the EU. Commis-

sioner Barnier and his team have expressly acknowledged that EU member states may restrict or limit the cross-border supply of all or certain types of online gambling services on the basis of public interest objectives — usually following the line of “... protecting consumers, ensuring a fair and transparent offer, preventing fraud and protecting the integrity of sports”.

However, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (also known as the Treaty of Lisbon) expressly forbids (in Article 56) member countries introducing restrictions on the freedom of companies from other member states providing services to recipients in other member states: “... restrictions on freedom to provide services within the Union shall be prohibited in respect of nationals of Member States who are established in a Member State other than that of the person for whom the services are intended.”

From the materials published

I think that as well as attracting eGaming licence holders (those blue-chip companies that fit in with Gibraltar’s business model and are credible) it is important that Gibraltar also fully leverages the skills and services of ancillary businesses

on 23rd October 2012, it would appear that Commissioner Barnier has some reservations about some of the justifications being used by some EU countries in their attempts to restrict the supply of gambling services by companies based in other EU states.

This has generated a fragmentation of piecemeal regulation and introduced much additional cost to operators with little or no apparent improvement in any of the public interest objectives listed above.

It is to be hoped that the establishment of the expert group heralded by Commissioner Barnier’s announcement will indeed facilitate exchanges of experience on regulation between member states and develop a “well regulated, safer online gambling sector in the EU”. This must surely be the objective of all responsible operators in the sector and I wish him and his team well.

So what opportunities does the future hold for the industry and its impact on Gibraltar?

There has been a lot of talk since 2006 about the US market opening up and various commentators have documented their views as to when this will happen. It is highly probable that this will eventually happen, especially in view of the state of the US economy, and several gaming companies (including some based in Gibraltar) have settled with the US DoJ and entered into deals with land based casino operators in readiness for this opening. When this will happen is a different question!! When it does though, there will certainly be an impact on the Gibraltar based industry.

I think that as well as attracting eGaming licence holders (those blue-chip companies that fit in with Gibraltar’s business model and are credible) it is important that Gibraltar also fully leverages the skills and services of ancillary businesses. I see no reason why Gibraltar cannot diversify to include other IT businesses.

Social gaming has for a while been the ‘buzz’ word in the industry with much speculation on whether this is profitable. Having seen firstly Gamesys and then 888 Holdings sign deals with Facebook in 2012 to provide real money games it will be interesting to see how profitable this is and whether other companies try and follow suit.

When people talk about poker, there is definitely a difference in views — is this a dying market or not? It’s interesting to see how

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

community What opportunities does the future hold for the industry and its impact on Gibraltar? the fortunes of companies differ and although some sites have seen good growth, it is clear that there is a dominance with PokerStars (not a Gibraltar licensed company) taking the top spot. Ingame or real-time betting seems to be sector that wi2ll continue to grow in Gibraltar.

In conclusion, there are certainly some challenges ahead for the gaming companies in Gibraltar (and those based in other jurisdictions), however, I am confident that provided the private and public sector continue to work together, these challenges can be surpassed and we will see Gibraltar continue to be a ‘Blue Chip’ gaming jurisdiction. I am looking forward to hearing from operators and others at our Summit how the industry is facing those challenges and receiving insight on what may be coming Gibraltar’s way in the near future. n

update

Flying the Flag

The iconic flag at Rock Gun didn’t survive the strong winds during January and a failure with the mechanism which holds the flag onto the pole meant it had to be lowered for repair. Within a day or two the flag was back up where it belongs and fluttering in the wind.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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academic

update

Anglo-Finnish academic and specialist in modern Gibraltarian literature Professor John Stotesbury of the University of Eastern Finland

Gibraltarian writers discussed at major conference in Italy

On the first day of the conference, AngloFinnish academic and specialist in modern Gibraltarian literature Professor John Stotesbury of the University of Eastern Finland, delivered a paper on contemporary Gibraltarian writers.

The paper entitled Locating a Post-Saidean Literary Identity through Contemporary Gibraltarian Anglophone Literary Discourse explored the recent surge in Anglophone Gibraltarian literary discourse, and focused mainly on the work of Gibraltarian expatriate writer M. G. Sanchez, and the writings of Paco Oliva, Mary Chiappe and Sam Benady.

“I’ve long worked in the field of postcolonial literatures in English — in fact, I think I must have been one of the first university lecturers in any English Department at a Finnish university to consider the possibility of researching and teaching in the field, rather than the traditional UK-Irish and American texts that had become so familiar over the years. That was in 1978-79, and of course the field has become mainstream since then,” he explains.

Professor Stotesbury first visited Gibraltar in October 2011 with his wife Hilkka. They were especially struck by the superficial ‘Englishness’ of what might be called Gibraltar’s ‘street-furniture’ — but the sight of a large and handsome ape sitting atop the post-box near the Trafalgar Cemetery soon put paid to that initial impression!

“It was not until I visited Gibraltar in October 2011 that I realised that, as in Malta and Cyprus and other Mediterranean territories with a longstanding British connection, there must also be Gibraltarian writers working in English. Even then, however, the only properly Gibraltarian texts that I was shown in the bookstore were one or two of Mary Chiappe and Sam Benady’s admirable, co-written historical detective stories — it took a little searching on the internet to discover further titles by Mark Sanchez and by Francisco Silva,” Professor Stotesbury explains.

“For creative writing to be valued, it probably has to cross borders, to speak not only to its immediate, local audience but also to have something to say that can be understood and be of value to outsiders, readers whose experience of people and places may be very different. Personally speaking, my own location is indeed very different — although born and bred on the Isle of Wight and having studied for my first degree at Edinburgh, since 1970 I’ve lived and worked in Finland. But when I first read Mark Sanchez’s narratives they certainly crossed that imaginative border; and so, too, in their different ways do the stories by the other contemporary Gibraltarian writers. They give a special kind of access to the past as well as the continuous present,” he says.

The Roma Tre University held a major conference in January entitled Cultures and Imperialisms, featuring academics from different European universities, which discussed the continuing relevance of Edward Said’s Culture and Imperialism, on the 20th anniversary of its publication.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

literature

“

For creative writing to be valued, it probably has to cross borders, to speak not only to its immediate, local audience but also to have something to say that can be understood and be of value to outsiders

”

“It seems no one has previously researched or written about Gibraltarian anglophone literature, although the absence of previous academic attention is unsurprising, since there seem to have been very few, if any, Gibraltarian anglophone literary writers before the current century. On the other hand, of course, a lot of academic attention has been paid to Gibraltar’s historical, political, multi-ethnic and linguistic importance in the context of empire and the Mediterranean. Now, perhaps, it is the turn of local literary writing to have something of significance to say to the wider world.”

Although there are no plans yet to present this paper in Gibraltar, Professor Stotesbury will continue to work with it ‘up north’ in Finland in particular, and hopes to rewrite the paper so it can be published in an academic journal. In April, he will be presenting another paper on the writings of MG Sanchez in Zaragoza. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

reading

New Book on Georgian & Victorian Gibraltar Gibraltarian author M.G. Sanchez has published a new book about Gibraltar, entitled Georgian and Victorian Gibraltar: Extraordinary Eyewitness Accounts.

The book focuses on different aspects of Gibraltarian social history, with the aim of offering the reader a glimpse of what life was really like back then.

The book is divided into 12 sections, each covering a particular aspect of life in Georgian and Victorian Gibraltar. It includes documents on housing, sanitation, alcoholism, smuggling, religion, prostitution, medicine, employment, relations with Spain, as well as other areas.

“The best thing about the book,” says author M. G. Sanchez, “is that it is full of all kinds of weird and wonderful Victorian characters.”

Georgian and Victorian: Extraordinary Eyewitness Accounts is available from local bookshops as well as online via Amazon, in both kindle and paperback form. n

It includes documents on housing, sanitation, alcoholism, smuggling, religion, prostitution, medicine, employment, and relations with Spain

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business

HR issues

Employees who are often off work put additional pressure on the rest of the team

Tackling Absenteeism Q A words | Sylvia Kenna, The HR Dept

I believe that absence levels in my company are rising and at a time when I am hoping to improve efficiency and reduce costs. I would like advice on what I can do to change this. ◆ In any 12 month period the maximum limit of sick pay, under legislation, is 2 weeks full pay and 4 weeks half pay.

The measurement of absence is the vital first step to understanding its extent, pattern and causes. It is important for an employer to be able to measure absence. It is essential to have accurate and up to date information on absence that is readily available. This alone will help you to tackle absence by identifying trends and patterns so that action can be focused on those areas/individuals with high levels of absence.

There are a number of points to note in regard to Gibraltar legislation concerning absence due to illness. Below are those that refer to the payment of sick pay: ◆ There is no entitlement to sick pay in the first 3 months of employment ◆ An employee must produce a sick note from a medical practitioner by the third day of absence

24

using the formula: S x S x D (where S = number of spells of absence in 52 weeks taken by an individual and D = number of days of absence Not having accurate absence records may in 52 weeks taken by that individual).

For example: result in under or over payment of salary.

The Bradford Factor can measure short-term persistence absence and this data can be used to 10 one-day absences: 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000 1 x 1 x 10 = 10 provide triggers to take action. It is calculated 1 ten-day absence: 5 two-day absences: 2 five-day absences:

The Bradford Factor can measure short-term persistence absence and this data can be used to provide triggers to take action

5 x 5 x 10 2 x 2 x 10

= 250 = 40

When a member of staff is unexpectedly absent from work it can have the following effect: ◆ the likelihood of missing deadlines increases ◆ disruption to the quality and continuity of service delivery ◆ increased workload and pressure for other team members who take on the person’s work

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

careers ◆ time invested by managers in changing plans

ber of issues including:

◆ costs involved in hiring temporary or replacement staff

◆ Genuine illness such as colds, flu, accidents.

◆ loss of productivity and efficiency ◆ drop in motivation and employee engagement if not dealt with ◆ reputational risk for the company of not providing an excellent service.

The following steps can be taken to reduce absence: ◆ having a clear policy on absence monitoring ◆ training managers to manage attendance ◆ training employees to recognise and manage signs of stress

◆ Stress caused by changes to the job, harassment, too much work ◆ New Manager or colleagues ◆ Family problems such as caring for a dependent ◆ Lack of motivation because the job isn’t challenging

Return to work interviews are useful for explaining to the employee how their unplanned absence affects their colleagues and the business, as well as ascertaining if there are any underly-

business

ing issues which need to be overcome.

Having a procedure in place that addresses absence by open discussion with the individual will help decrease absence levels. It will also provide a platform for discussing issues like those mentioned above. If you have at least some understanding of the nature of an employee’s problem, you can make sure appropriate help and support is made available. n One of the business support services offered by The HR Dept. is a review of your existing policies or provision of new policies including templates of forms and letters, and they will support you in keeping your policies up to date. For useful free resources go to www.thehrdept.gi

◆ improving employee motivation through training and development opportunities ◆ using return-to-work interviews after illness and informal procedures to keep individuals informed and to resolve problems. ◆ Offer flexible working

To comply with legislation it is best to have a written policy and procedure on absence that explains the rights and obligations of employees when absent due to sickness, and includes your procedure for reporting absence and that the organisation reserves the right to require employees to attend an examination by a company doctor and (with the worker’s consent) to request a report from the employee’s doctor.

The policy should be explained and be available to all staff.

Usually a Sickness Absence Form should be completed by all employees who have unplanned absence. This would at the least include, ◆ details about the first and last day of absence ◆ whether a medical practitioner has been consulted ◆ nature of illness ◆ in what way did the illness prevents the employee from working ◆ declaration confirming the employee is fit for work and also that the employee has not undertaken any other work during their absence

The Manager should then confirm

◆ the absence reporting procedure was followed ◆ that a sick note has been issued if required ◆ whether the absence was caused by an accident at work ◆ whether there any adjustments to be made by the company

By analyzing the absence data an employer will have a clear picture of absence levels in the company and can then decide what level of absence will trigger action.

For example using the Bradford Factor to calculate: 5 – 200 points may result in an automatic return to work interview; 200+ points may result in an absence review meeting, which may be lead to disciplinary action.

Short-term absence can be caused by a num-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Find out what you need for your perfect career and study towards it

The Perfect Career: Working Towards the Ultimate Goal

words | SRG Europe Tel: 216 21111

Very few people have what may be termed “the perfect job”.

We start with a vision from our final years at school but most do not end with that goal, life experiences intervene.

There’s always a bit of give and take in anyone’s career, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t aim to achieve near happiness in what we do. Working towards the perfect career can be done whether you are already employed or looking for work, but it takes focus and a bit of thought. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

Know your goals Such a simple thing as knowing what you want to achieve gets overlooked a lot. But how can you know what direction to go if you don’t know where you’re going. Taking the time

25

business

careers

to sit down and seriously consider your goals is the first and most important step in getting where you want to be career wise. Really ask yourself what you want to be doing and keep in mind that it should be something that you are passionate about.

When writing down your goals keep in mind that they need to be achievable and quantifiable.

Giving yourself the goal of “I want to make more money” is not a quantifiable goal; while a goal of “I want to achieve a salary of £50K within the next three years” is. If you set goals that are too ambitious then there’s a good chance that you will get discouraged early on and lose interest. It can also be beneficial to create smaller quantifiable goals along the way in reaching the larger goal.

Time Management Manage your time effectively. It’s imperative to focus on the ultimate goal which means that you need to focus on the opportunities that suit you. Randomly applying for jobs is not going to magically move you in the right direction career wise. It might actually hinder you.

Keep networking People often have the best intentions of getting out there and meeting new people, but as the job search drags on or they get caught up at work, the effort falls by the way-side. Keep networking. It’s important for several reasons.

While there might not be a job for you right away, if you keep talking to the right people, when a job does come up, your face will be the first one that pops into their head. It’s not

Regular networking allows you to learn more about your industry of interest and stay current. It will allow you to meet more people, possibly other potential influencers, and build a strong network of the right people going to happen overnight though. Regular networking also allows you to learn more about your industry of interest and stay current. It will allow you to meet more people, possibly other potential influencers, and build a strong network of the right people.

Look for regular industry events too that can help you get in touch with people in the right industry. While you might not be in the industry yet, the more interest you show in it and the knowledge you gain along the way will help you when you do start working as well as impress those around you. It shows commitment.

Maximise your use of social media There are so many new tools out there on social media that allow you to separate yourself from other potential candidates. Use them to your advantage. People are getting more and more acquainted with things such as infographics, video CVs and even PowerPoint presentations to help boost their career profile.

Be creative and try adding some to your online profile.

Online branding can be helpful as well. A

26

personal website or blog related to your pas- is not what you were looking for. It’s better to sion can attract viewers and pay dividends in find this out early so you can adjust your goals.

If you find that you are on the right career path the long run. then even better. Beginner courses will fuel the passion and drive to go further.

Keep learning Creating the ideal career path is not just about finding the right job at a given time. It is also Take some time off Looking for a job is a job in itself so like any about growing in the industry. This requires regular training and professional development. other place of work, so be sure to take some If you are already working in your industry of time off. If you spend every waking moment choice, but want to progress then be proactive in looking for work then you are bound to burn obtaining the right qualifications to get there. A out. Set some down time aside where you can rest and recharge. lot of employers will encourage you to do so.

The key to getting the most out of your career If you’re not in the industry yet, then get started. Take some starter courses that give you is consistency. Know what you want, work toa good fundamental understanding of the indus- wards your goals, stay focussed and be creative try. You might find that perhaps the industry and you have a formula for success. n

Gibraltar Legal Executive qualifies as UK Solicitor The Partners at Hassans International Law Firm have congratulated Nicki Walker on her qualification as UK Solicitor after four years of study. Nicki is the first and only Legal Executive in Gibraltar to have gone through the appropriate stages of study and exams to qualify as a UK Solicitor.

Hassans law firm has a record of supporting all members of staff with vocational study and understands the importance of retaining, training and developing staff throughout their career.

Nicki’s achievement is outstanding and shows a dedicated determination by her and long term commitment and support from Hassans.

Nicki started her career as a Legal Secretary at Hassans, prior to qualifying as a Legal Executive, and to go the extra mile to qualify as a Solicitor demonstrates a relentless dedication of her time and energies into achieving this goal, while working full-time in the corporate department at Hassans.

Nicki said “I am both relieved and thrilled

to have finally qualified after all the hard work and effort I have put in. I hope to be able to repay the support Hassans has given me by continuing to advise and service our clients, albeit now in the role of solicitor, to the high standards they expect.”

James Levy, QC, senior partner at the firm added: “Nicki has been with the firm for 23 years and has always given the department her full commitment. We have supported her at every stage and over many years, with her study to Legal Executive and again to UK qualified Solicitor. This long term investment in our staff is a testament to the value we place on staff development and the other partners and I wish her a great deal of success in her career.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Yacht Scene 2013

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27

proporty

opinion

Should I buy in Gibraltar or Spain?

Should I buy in Gibraltar or Spain? This is dilemma faced by many who have relocated to the area for their career, or personal reasons.

Spain can seem an attractive proposition, especially with discounted flats and villas on offer but do they offer the best value and flexibility, and what do you compromises for all that extra space?

Chris Kensit moved to Gibraltar five years ago for career reasons and he loves it in this part of the world. Coming from the London suburbs with a job in the City, he finds he has the ‘best of both worlds’ here — an English speaking environment, with the advantage of Spain, Morocco and Portugal all within reach for weekends away. And if he gets homesick for the Smoke, London is just 2.5 hours

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flight from an airport just minutes from his home. In fact, on a recent business trip he says he walked to the airport from his office. “A stroll in the sunshine with my hand baggage — how can you beat that?” he chuckles.

In fact, Chris likes it here so much he has decided to make it his permanent home, but now faces the decision of whether he buys a place in Spain, taking advantage of the repossessed and distressed sales he gets in his email inbox daily, or plumps for Gibraltar where prices remain bouyant.

“Really, for me it comes down to lifestyle,” he says. “I am single

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

opinion

property

Property purchase is the biggest investment most of us make during our lifetimes, so it is important to make the right choice, for our lifestyle and our finances

and enjoy being able to have a drink with colleagues after work, and the convenience of an in town apartment without exterior space to worry about. I have looked at some villas in Spain which are comparable in price to apartments here, but the convenience of living in Gibraltar has swayed me.

“Having come here from London it is a sheer joy to not have to commute every day. It adds hours to my leisure time as I can walk to work in less than 10 minutes. My decision was clarified recently with the long queues to leave Gibraltar which I was glad I did not have to join.”

Chris also states that while he is happy in Gibraltar for the time being and sees this as his long-term home, he also wishes to remain flexible about his future.

“Buying in Gibraltar makes sense to me from an economic and flexibility point of view too,”

“

he says. “I may in the future wish to move elsewhere to further my career and I believe a property in Gibraltar gives me the best options in this respect.

“Finding a long term rental on my property in Gibraltar (relatively easy) would allow me to travel in the future while earning an income or at least covering my costs, while if I choose to sell, the market, I believe will remain strong (supply and demand will ensure this in such as small place), and I will not attract Capital Gains Tax on any profits made.”

He admits that in the longerterm he may reconsider commuting from Spain as an option. “I think there are some advantages to living in Spain, and perhaps if my circumstances changed and I had a family to consider, the extra space and a garden might tempt me across the border. But for now I am happy where I am.” n

Having come here from London it is a sheer joy to not have to commute every day.

It adds hours to my leisure time as I can walk to work in less than 10 minutes GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

”

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property

interiors

Banish the Winter Blues

Firstly, think of making the home seasonal, so that your home can be cosy and warm in the winter months. Use cashmere blankets, fur throws or quilted bedspreads on your sofas.

In summer, these can be changed to monogrammed seersucker and cotton piqué coverlets, to give a cool fresh look.

Using candlelight and scented candles are lovely with Christmas inspired scents in the New Year too, such as rich, dense cinnamon and amber. Later, change the scent in spring/summer for orange blossom or jasmine.

Have fun with furniture and transform a bland cabinet by changing the handles, and painting the back and sides with a contrasting colour, and pick up the colour across the room with an accent pillow or throw. For high drama, paint one wall a strong colour, or the ceiling of your cloakroom for fun.

Another idea to make an impact is to have a favourite photo blown up according to your wall size. You can even make it into a mural, and hang it at the end of a long dreary entrance hall.

Alternatively, make a wall a theme with photos, all shapes and sizes of favourite family or holiday shots. If you have stairs in your home, these photos can look dramatic on the wall going up the stairs. Multiplication is what makes the drama — this applies to any arrangement.

Collect acorns or pinecones, and pile them in interesting shaped bowls or cluster them on a tray on a coffee table. Introduce a reflective object such as a mirror, silver or mercury glass into any grouping, and then add some light.

On the subject of lights, a lot can be done with lights to make dramatic changes. Sticking on LED lights can highlight certain arrangements.

Change lampshades to revamp an old or tired lamp, with some amazing lined coloured lampshades which look much more sassy, and create lovely pools of light.

Add light by hanging a mirror opposite a window, this opens up a room and doubles the amount of natural light.

Wallpaper has made a total comeback these last few years. Impress your friends by wallpapering your front entry with bold wallpaper, as it creates a strong first impression and makes it

Photos Supplied by Denville’s Gibraltar

SAD stands for seasonal affective disorder, and we can all be affected in a greater or lesser degree. Summer seems a long way off and this disorder can be called winter depression or winter blues. So, what can we do to cheer ourselves up that does not cost as much as a holiday in the Caribbean? With a bit of imagination and inspiration, we can throw ourselves into giving our home a makeover, so our bright ideas and schemes can give us pleasure.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

interiors

property

seem like you have done a total makeover.

“We sell odd rolls of wallpaper in Denville’s, which can be used to line the back of your wardrobe — it will give you joy every time you open your wardrobe door. Cover cardboard boxes in wallpaper and put shoes, handbags or whatever you need to store,” Meme of Denville’s says.

Finally, throwing a party to get rid of those post winter blues need not be expensive, where everyone brings a bottle and a flower or candle of a certain colour. This is a fun way to lift your home, with a fond memory behind each gift.

Remember colours and smells are an important influence over our moods, so treat yourself

Impress your friends by wallpapering your front entry with bold wallpaper, as it creates a strong first impression to a scented candle after your home makeover, to finish off the feel you want to create. There is a huge selection from summer flowers, cashmere winter and Amrapali scented candles, so you will be spoilt for choice.

If you need any help with your makeover, Denville’s offers a consultation service. Pop in and see Meme to arrange at 62, Engineers Lane, or phone 20044012. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

31

property

file

Love

Top 5 Valentine properties

Nests

Bright red heart-shaped cards, gift boxes and balloons adorn our shop windows. Love fills the air.

Newspapers offer to carry messages to loved ones.

Wives are expecting and husbands are forgetting. It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to romance.

There are various theories on the origin of Valentine’s Day, but the most popular dates back to the time of the Roman Empire during the reign of Claudius II, 270 AD. Claudius didn’t want men to marry during wartime because he believed single men made better soldiers. Bishop Valentine went against his wishes and performed secret wedding ceremonies. For this, Valentine was jailed and then executed by order of the Emperor on February 14. While in jail, he wrote a love note to the jailor’s daughter signing it, “From your Valentine.”

Main Street may be full of diamonds and chocolates to suit the occasion. At Chesterton, we have pulled some heart strings and chosen five available love nests, all of which exude the thrill and warmth of true romance, possibly with a touch of desire. So how about buying your loved one a romantic getaway, Gibraltar style?

1

The Tradewinds Penthouse Towering above the casino and with exquisite views of the sea, this large penthouse occupies the entire floor so there are no neighbours to disturb you. 260m2 of professionally designed interior space, plus a 63m2 terrace, includes 4 bedrooms each with their own bathroom, so if the budget is a bit steep, four

32

couples could share the cost and still have their own privacy. ❤ Price: £1.95m

2

Filomena House Sometimes, just sometimes, romance has to be a speedy affair.

This studio apartment, close to the airport and border with Spain, offers a kitchen, bathroom and a lounge with the novelty of a pull down bed which is returned to the wall once its use is over. Keeps the place tidy at all times. ❤ Just £375 a week rental

3

South District This enchanted garden awaits a happy couple. Take the opportunity for a picnic in these grounds with a chilled bottle of champagne served next to the home grown rose bush. Located in the prime residential area within the South District, this four bed, two bath colonial house has sought after westerly views across the Bay. ❤ Price £1.75m

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

file

property

Annual Residential Property Tax

4

Ocean Village Ocean Village just exudes sex appeal. 35,000 sq foot of gardens, five pools and seven jacuzzis for couples to enjoy together. This two bedroom two bathroom apartment is on the eighth floor and has marina views out to the Bay of Gibraltar. And it can be booked by the night. Perfect use of £160 if you want a romantic night in. For those with staying power, book a week and pay for just six nights. ❤ £160 a night

5

Little Genoa Want to elope? The Eastside is your perfect getaway location. This stunning three bed, three bathroom house boasts a private infinity pool surrounded by teak decking and is perfect for a late night romantic swim under the moonlit sky. Or take a late night stroll along the beach, as this property directly overlooks Catalan Bay. If you need to get into the mood, take advantage of the complete int e-

Mansion tax, which describes generally an increase in taxation of high value properties has been a political hot potato in the UK for a while now. In December, the Chancellor finally declared the UK government’s intention and it was probably not as bad as was first feared (by owners of high value properties) as it is targeting quite a niche group of property owners. That niche group could involve a number of Gibraltar structures owning high value UK residential property.

On 1st April 2013 the Annual Residential Property Tax (“ARPT”) will come into force presenting a short window of opportunity for some taxpayers to consider the tax efficiency of their current structures and undertake any restructuring.

Who will be affected by the ARPT? The ARPT will be payable by companies, partnerships and collective investment schemes, referred to as Non Natural Persons (“NNP”), owning high value residential property situated in the UK valued at over £2m.

What is the ARPT charge?

The ARPT charge will be calculated using a banding system

grated sound system throughout the property. ❤ Price: £1.5m Happy Valentine’s Day!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

based on the value of the residential property as follows: Value of Property

£2m - £5m £5m - £10m £10m - £20m £20m+

Annual Charge 2013 / 2014 £15000 £35000 £70000 £140000

The value of the residential property for the first five years of the ARPT will be the value as at 1st April 2012, or on the date of purchase if later, with a revaluation being required at 1st April 2017 for use from 1st April 2018. A proportionate charge will apply where a residential property moves into or out of ARPT. Other changes affecting residential property owned by a NNP Capital Gains Tax: will be introduced on the sale or gift of

residential property. The rate of Capital Gains Tax has not yet been announced but could be as high as 28%. Further detail is expected in the 2013 Budget.

Stamp Duty Land Tax: was increased from 21st March 2012 to 15% on certain residential property transactions, including sales, transfers and gifts.

Is there a solution?

There is no “one size fits all” solution — each property ownership scenario will need to be considered separately on its own set of circumstances. We are well connected with specialist tax advisers in the UK who are ideally positioned to assist anyone who may be affected by the introduction of the ARPT. There are significant tax savings to be achieved with careful planning which is non-aggressive.

The ARPT comes into force on 1st April 2013 so time is short. n

Mike Nicholls is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a member of the Gibraltar Society of Accountants, a member of the Gibraltar Funds and Investment Association and a board member of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce. Mike operates the Chesterton estate agency in Gibraltar and has his own real estate investment solutions consultancy.

33

,

charity

file

Marillion Helps Gibraltar Charity Members of the band Marillion are no strangers to the Rock — frontman Steve Hogarth has performed a solo show at Saint Michael’s Cave as well as been a judge at the Miss Gibraltar pageant, while the band itself played a successful 2007 concert at the Tercentenary Sports Hall that proved to be one of the best attended of a lengthy European tour.

Now they are about to strengthen their links with Gibraltar even further by helping a charitable venture in aid of the Children’s Ward at Saint Bernard’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Local lawyer and former Government Minister Fabian Vinet, a former patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital, will soon be announcing details of a charitable venture he will be undertaking with his wife Genevieve. Helping to increase the funds collected will be Marillion, who are auctioning a deluxe copy of their latest album Sounds That Can’t Be Made, signed by all five members of the band. This deluxe package of the album is a collector’s edition as it includes the band’s excellent 17th studio album plus a DVD featuring a documentary and exclusive live-in-the-studio performances, both in a 128-page hardback book containing artwork and lyrics. The fact it is signed by the band will make it particularly attractive for fans.

Fabian, a close personal friend of singer Steve Hogarth, explains that an even more unique and valuable item is also up for grabs: “I contacted the band’s manager, Lucy Jordache, asking for the band to provide a signed CD to auction and she immediately agreed, for which I’m very grateful, but a few days later Steve called and without any prompting from me said he would also personally hand write any three lyrics of his songs, allowing the three highest bidders to each choose the lyrics to any one of his songs, which he would then sign and frame.

“The availability of these much sought-after and unique items of memorabilia could potentially raise thousands of pounds for the Rainbow Ward at Saint Bernard’s as well as Great Ormond Street Hospital which, as everyone knows, has performed many miracles and helped a great number of Gibraltarian children.

34

“Steve’s offer is an act of selfless, gracious generosity that I am particularly grateful for and touched by.”

Fabian said substantial offers had been received from a number of European countries, but he wanted to ensure that Marillion fans in

Fabian Vinet and Steve Hogarth

Gibraltar also had a chance to bid. Serious offers should be sent to fjvinet@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Marillion Auction’, specifying which item is being bid for as well as full name and contact details. The auction will close at midnight on 30th April 2013. n

Funds for Diamond Jubilee Trust Fund Lady Johns presenting a cheque for

£8,700 to the Chief Minister as Honorary President of the Gibraltar Diamond Jubilee Trust Fund. The funds were raised at the Convent Garden Open Day last summer. The successful Open Day in July welcomed the public to visit the Convent garden and cloisters as well as the newly-refurbished Convent Ballroom and the Banqueting Hall with its history spanning nearly 500 years.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Let them eat cake

love &

romance

While Valentine’s Day might be the most romantic day of the year, the most romantic day in any couple’s life is their wedding day. Inviting guests to break bread with the happy couple in celebration may be the traditional origins of the wedding feast, but the spectacular wedding cake is now the focus of day’s food fest.

We spoke to local Wedding Cake Artist, Fiona about her amazing creations.

What are your inspirations and influences when designing a cake?

When designing a wedding cake anything can inspire me, for example, maybe the couple’s personalities or hobbies encourage me to create a novel wedding cake or perhaps the bride is wearing an unusual headpiece or wedding dress which would allow me to take design elements and translate this onto to the wedding cake.

All these elements are always discussed during our design consultation where I sit with the couple and discuss their likes, dislikes and inspirations.

For me, the most important thing is that the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

photos: Anne Navas www.anavasphotography.com

Fiona, you make the most amazing wedding cakes, tell us about your training.

I have trained in London and Barcelona, specialising in Sugar Floristry and Couture Cake Design. To date I have trained with some of the most prestigious cake artists including Peggy Porschen and Lori Hutchinson ensuring that I am up to date with the most modern trends in the wedding industry. ❤

35

romance

valentine’s

look beautiful.

Taste-wise, I would always suggest that a couple think carefully about the flavours they choose. They should look at their wedding menu and ensure that all the courses, including the cake, complement each other. ❤ When does the cake need to be ordered?

I recommend that as soon as a couple has booked their wedding date and venue, they begin to book their preferred suppliers as this can ensure that there is no disappointment! ❤ Fiona, Wedding Cake Artist, Sweet Things by Fi. ❤ www.sweetthingsbyfi.com

photos: Mireia Cordomi www.mireiacordomi.com

design reflects the couple and their wedding The length of time for completion can vary day, and that it looks as good as it tastes. ❤ depending on the design. Designs that incorporate sugar flowers take a lot of preparation as each flower can take over four hours to comAre there fashions in wedding cake plete, therefore careful planning is required. designs?

For cakes with intricate designs, we recYes, when it comes to weddings, there are definitely trends and it is no different with ommend that brides give over four month wedding cakes. At the moment, sugar flowers notice. ❤ are very popular, as are ruffles and metallic.

It is this diversity that I love and it is what What advice would you give to the happy couple regarding the cake? makes my job so exciting and creative. ❤ Design-wise, I would recommend that they chose a design that reflects them and their How much time does each cake take you wedding day. Often less is more, so sometimes to decorate and what is the longest time a design does not need to be complicated to you have spent on an individual cake?

36

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

37

arts

canvas

s y a w 20

to meet your lover

Valentine’s Day Romance

It’s a simple equation. The more people you know the more likely you are to know the right person. And networking is the key to meeting people. Easier said than done, you might scoff, especially in a small place like Gibraltar but we’ve gathered some great ideas for meeting Mr or Miss Right, or at least having some fun trying, from some of Gibraltar’s happy couples and searching singles.

Pubs, bars and special nights at restaurants are always good places for chance encounters. One Gibraltar couple we spoke to met in a now defunct pub called the Brief Encounter in London. While the Brief Encounter didn’t last, their relationship did and they are now happily married. Sometimes even being in the wrong place at the right time can lead to lasting love. Another couple we spoke to said they were both out with separate parties at a local night spot — neither of them was enjoying the atmosphere or the music and that sparked their first conversation.

Gibraltar is a small place, and sometimes casting your net further afield can lead to greater opportunities. There are ads on TV for dating sites which promise you will find

38

your soulmate within six months or you will get your money back. A great PR exercise, but do these sites work? Well, according to some of the couples we interviewed they certainly

“

We got to know each other well before our first meeting and so had a lot to talk about on the first date. It just all seemed so natural...

”

can. Samantha met Alex via eHarmony and they married in July 2012 at the registry office.

Samantha says she was reluctant at first to try a dating site as it seemed a “bit sad” and she had to filter out a lot of unsuitable replies, but once she started chatting to two or three prospective dates she started to enjoy the experience, and says that in some ways being in Gibraltar and speaking to men outside (in Spain and UK) helped as there was less pressure to meet up immediately. “We got to know each other well before our first meeting and so had a lot to talk about on the first date. It just all seemed so natural when we finally did meet up... and look at us now,” she smiles happily.

Can you really get to know someone from the written word, I wondered? I asked Mar-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

39

V-Day ❤

Let’s face it, trying to find that special someone can be a soul destroying experience but once you have someone to romance, don’t let V-Day let you down.

For men the unwritten rules of love can seem so much harder to follow, especially as 14th February looms ever closer. Get Cupid’s special day wrong and the consequences could include sleeping alone or being banished to the doghouse for months. Just ask the well-meaning dude shopping in Boux Avenue with no real idea of his girlfriend’s actual size, and who doesn’t yet realise that lingerie is a gift for him, not for her.

On the other hand you distinctly remember her saying “Oh, I don’t want anything this year”, right? Well, guess what? She was lying. Every girl wants just a tiny bit of romance in their lives, and if you want to be Mr Right you will be expected to provided it. Deliver early in the day even if you have something planned for the evening (that way she knows you didn’t just scurry around trying to cobble something together after spotting other hapless souls bearing gifts — extra points!).

For all those girls out there expecting to be reminded they are cherished on this most romantic of occasions?

Remember, not everyone has the same idea of romance, so don’t judge

garet and Les who have been married for 45 years and they chuckled “Yes!” This successful couple met when Margaret responded to a request from the Navy for penpals for lonely sailors at sea. “I learned more about my husband from his letters before we met than I have in all the years since,” she assures.

Dating sites screen prospective partners for common likes, hobbies and lifestyle, and this can be a good start to meeting that special person in real life too. Join a club or association, take up a sport or dance class. Try to select a venue where you will be the sought after sex, for example there are loads of girls looking for dance partners which is great for the men, but less likely to produce results for the girls. If you like good food and wine, try a wine tasting (My Wines at Montagu Counterguard regularly hold these) where striking up

40

a conversation over a nibble and a glass of vino is easy and relaxed.

Single Mingles also take place in Gibraltar, and are very comfortable and relaxed affairs with people of all ages looking to mingle for friendship as well as romance.

(You can find details of Gibraltar’s Single Mingles online).

Get a little help from your friends. It’s true, no-one likes other people interfering in their love life, but accepting a bit of a help in the romance department can work.

“

a lack of creativity as a failure. If your particular chap struggles with romance, help him out! Come up with achievable ideas for Valentine’s Day and communicate them to him.

If your relationship is just at the getting to know you stage, don’t overdo it — keep your love offering very simple, or you might have either sex running for the hills. If you’ve been together for years and have kids demanding your time, don’t let that be an excuse for not sparking a little romance just one day a year.

This year V-Day is on a Thursday which gives you the opportunity (by prior arrangement) to defer a romantic dinner to the Friday or Saturday night — especially useful if you are cooking it yourself! However, Thursday is still important so don’t be caught out — put your intended menu in a Valentine’s card, or deliver a handwritten invite to dine on 14th to make sure the object of your desire knows it will be a special occasion.

Oh and the top tip for Valentine’s success? Watch the alcohol! The last thing you want to do is fall asleep on a willing date. ❤

James and Maria of Ocean Village met when their friends fixed them up on a blind date 15 years ago.

Hedge fund manager GSH “I really didn’t want to go,” says seeking Legal Secretary for Maria. “I thought, in a small place hot nights in, online bingo, like Gibraltar, I was bound to know exotic holidays and Pina him and it would just be embarColada on the beach. ~ How rassing and awkward.” Far from would you describe yourself in it... they got along so well that one as few words as possible for a date led to another and they have classified ad? ❤ been together ever since.

Holidays can be difficult when you are single as it can be hard to find a travelling companion. Andy took the plunge and went to Panama on her own, and despite reservations before she left she says she had an amazing experience. “When you are travelling alone, people tend to include you and take more interest in you than if you are in a couple, especially groups of friends travelling together. I was invited to join people for dinner, or on excursions and found it to be a generally liberat-

Love Scripts

When you are travelling alone, people tend to include you and take more interest in you than if you are in a couple, especially groups of friends travelling together

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

love & ing experience.” Jo, a single backpacker, agrees and says travelling can be a great way meet people and expand your circle of contacts, whether as part of an organised interest group or alone to places of interest. Just try to avoid places designed for romantic couple getaways, she says, or you could find yourself nursing a cocktail at the bar alone!

The key is to be proactive (you won’t meet anyone sitting on your sofa watching TV!). Get out there with the aim of expanding your circle of friends, that way even if you don’t meet Mr or Mrs Right, you will find the experience of being single is fun too. ❤

romance

We all know it’s the thought that counts right? But if you really want to shine on Valentine’s Day something sumptuous will certainly help your cause. And ladies, the My Wines gift boxes are made for men too!

Gifted Give your love wings with this Tomas Sabo heart pendant set with a small diamond. ❤

Strictly for that very special person, this exquisite Chopard pendant will keep you in Brownie points for a very long time indeed. ❤

Available from Essadas at 64 Main Street.

Available from Radhika, 60 Main Street.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Funky Facts ❤ Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine’s Day each year ❤ In Medieval times, girls ate unusual foods on St Valentine’s Day to make them dream of their future husband ❤ The Christian martyr St. Valentine was beheaded on February 14 for performing marriages in secret

Matched at My Wines My Wines at 7 Chatham Counterguard is offering special Valentine’s box sets of wine plus perfume or a watch at a great range of prices. The sets can include a range of wines, perfumes and watches to match budgets and taste and are great gifts for the man or woman in your life! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Yacht Scene 2013

Order your copy now!

y

ACHT SCENE ltar Gibra

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Yacht Scene • • Sailors’ Guide 20 2

Lo cal Ti de Inform Ma Table ati rin on s a & • Di • Ha stanc Tida l At rbo las ur e Ta Pla ble ns s

SAILORS’ GUIDE • 2012

Order Yacht Scene Sailors’ Guide: £5.00 + p&p (£8.00 total) Please send a cheque made payable to Yacht Scene to

Yacht Scene Sailors’ Guide,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

41

events

lost in time

Prime Minister’s Pact with Spain words | Reg Reynolds

Throughout history Spain and Britain have more often been enemies than allies so who would believe that a British Prime Minister signed a secret pact to go to war on behalf of the Spanish if Algeciras came under attack.

Robert Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, was serving his third term as Conservative Prime Minister when he made the secret pact. In 1898 the Spanish began to build gun batteries which when completed would command Gibraltar. At the time he learned of the threat Salisbury, who was also Foreign Secretary, was recovering

from influenza at a resort in AlsaceLorraine. Angrily he dashed off a telegram to Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, the British Ambassador at Madrid. Salisbury insisted that “construction must cease” and pretty much told Wolff to threaten dire consequences. Salisbury doesn’t mention military action but he certainly implies it.

Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury

“We would shrink from no consequences in order to avoid such a result and though we must leave it to you to communicate our views in a manner least likely to wound Spain’s susceptibilities please understand that no room for misconception should be left as to the settled policy of this country.”

Drummond Wolff, a skilled negotiator, proved successful to a degree. He had plenty of experience having previously been sent on a special mission to arrange reforms in the government of Egypt.

He was high commissioner of that country from 1885 to 1887 and Envoy Extraordinary to Teheran from 1888 to 1891. Drummond Wolff had been appointed Ambassador to Spain in 1892 and so had six years experience with the country when the crisis arose.

Through Drummond Wolff’s efforts, work on the batteries ceased in March 1899 but Spain wanted something in return and that is when Salisbury buckled. Astonishingly the Prime Minister signed a secret treaty committing Britain to go to war with “any power” that attacked Algeciras.

“Sir Drumming Wolff, M.P.” — cartoon of Sir Henry Drummond-Wolff. from Punch, 23rd September, 1882. Artwork by Edward Linley Sambourne

42

One has to wonder if Salisbury had any intention of honouring the treaty but if he had the consequences could have been dire because only a few weeks later, 23rd April, 1898, Spain declared war on America. The Spanish-American war lasted only 10 weeks (America victorious) and was fought mainly in Cuba and the Philippines, but America had a powerful navy at the time and could easily have attacked a valuable port like Algeciras. Spain might even have welcomed such an attack as, thanks to Salisbury’s treaty, Britain would have been obligated to come to her defence.

It is curious that Salisbury should have signed such a treaty considering he is remembered for his policy of “splendid isolation”, the desire to keep Great Britain out of European affairs and alliances.

Salisbury was Prime Minister three times, 1885-1886, 1886-1892 and 1895-1902 and was the last British Prime Minister to serve from the Lords. He retired in 1902 and died in 1903 aged 73. Drummond Wolff outlived him by five years dying in 1908 aged 78. n

Astonishingly the Prime Minister signed a

secret treaty committing Britain to go to war with “any power” that attacked Algeciras

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

creatives

Second Solo for Gail

arts

Gail Francis Tiron will be holding her second solo art exhibition, exactly two years since her first, from 11th to 24th February 2013 at the Fine Arts Gallery, Casemates Square.

Gail’s first exhibition was called Day 11, and her second is to be appropriately named Day 11: Part 2. Gail exlains “For whatever reason, I see 11s extremely regularly, so much so, that I have made this a prompt to do something positive when these parallel figures show up. I have always believed that life is too short to waste on pettiness and have always made a conscious effort to make the most of every minute I have.”

Gail sees painting as a form of therapy as “I have to focus so much that in my mind I leave this world and travel to places that I am creating at the stroke of the brush. This is why my paintings are very vivid and full of colour, they become the places I escape to.” Her new collection has also been inspired by all the hype surrounding the end of the Mayan Calendar something which created a certain impact on some paintings in the series.

GibDFAS lecture: Wednesday, 20th February 7.30pm at the O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel on the top floor. Welcome drink at 6.30pm.

The Five Centuries of Blue and White: An International History

by Anton Gabszewicz

Former Director & Head of European Ceramics at Christie’s, London, and course organiser for Christie’s Education, Anton Gabszewicz has been an international specialist in English and European Ceramics for over 40 years. He appeared on the very first BBC Antiques Road Show and broadcast with them for over a decade. He has also published books and articles, and lectured extensively in Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He regularly writes for, and lectures at, the International Ceramics Fair & Seminar in London.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Day 11: Part 2 will also provide a platform for three unknown artists who Gail believes will be names to watch in the future. “There will be a couple of works by Casey Azopardi, my son, who is currently studying art and photography in the UK,” she says, who will exhibit alongside David Formica-Corsi who has a degree in illustration and Emma Dalmedo an 8 year old showing a lot of promise.

Gail is also continuing to promote the book

she is writing for which she need public participation. “It is a compilation of true stories based on the funny things that children say or do,” she explains. “So if you have any funny stories to tell me, please bring them forward, I can be contacted via my website or Facebook page.” www.gailfrancistiron.com

This lecture will show English porcelain, which first appeared in the mid 1740s, within the broader context of world ceramics. It includes a brief outline of the development of ceramics from China and Japan via the short lived experiments under the Medici in late 16th century Florence, and the first introduction of hard paste porcelain into Europe at Meissen in the early 18th century. In exploring this complicated background it is interesting to see how English manufacturers were so strikingly

influenced.

Day 11: Part 2 will open on 11th February at 6.30pm at the Fine Arts Gallery, Casemates Square

The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies, otherwise known as NADFAS, was founded by Patricia Fay, OBE in 1968 to further the enjoyment and appreciation of the Arts internationally and to stimulate interest in the preservation of local heritage.

There are now almost 100,000 members worldwide in 356 societies.

The Gibraltar Society aims to bring well-known lecturers and experts from the UK to talk on cultural and artistic subjects, accompanied by digital or slide presentations, to speak on cultural and artistic subjects and to participate when possible in events organised by the societies in Spain.

Annual membership is £60 for all of the season’s lectures. Visitors are very welcome and pay £10 at the door. Joint and corporate memberships are also available. Please enquire with our membership secretary. All members receive the quarterly magazine NADFAS Review.

Contact Membership and Vice-Chairman: Ian Le Breton Tel: 200 76173 email: ilbreton@sovereignGroup.com.

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history

uncovered

Postcard leads to Titanic Victim words | Reg Reynolds

T

he signature wasn’t clear but it

appeared to be by someone named

Leo or Tio. There were no

readable dates on the card but from the appearance of Casemates it was quite old, possibly the turn of the last century.

I set the card aside until this December when we were in London for the holidays. I took Maggie in hand and we made our way to Putney High Street to see what we would find at the address where Miss Cheese used to live.

The building was of rather ordinary architecture but it had obviously been an impressive residence at one time. Today 126-128 houses a Currys Digital and on either side are a Betfred and a PC World. There are flats above.

I was curious to find out what happened to Edith and the sender of the postcard and was quite surprised where the investigation led me.

Researching a name like Edith Cheese on the internet is not easy because the word ‘cheese’ takes precedence and I wound up with all

44

When I opened a second hand book a postcard fell out and by coincidental good fortune it showed a picture of Gibraltar’s Casemates. The postcard was addressed to a “Miss Edith Cheese, care of 126-128 High Street, Putney”. The message read: “Dear E, Just a card showing you an idea of the beauty of Gibraltar.”

sorts of unwanted information about the food — I did, however, learn that Putney was once home to a cheese factory.

Things took a turn for the better when I searched the 1911 UK census and birth, marriage and death records. I learned that an Edith Cheese of London had married one Gaspare Gatti. Gatti, being a rare name was easier to research and one of the first items to turn up on the internet informed me that Gaspare was a highly-regarded restaurateur who went down with the Titanic.

I was curious to find out what happened to Edith and the sender of the postcard and was quite surprised where the investigation led me

Gaspare Antonio Pietro Luigi Gatti was born 3rd January, 1875 at Montalto Pavese, Italy one of 11 children. His father was a local councillor and Justice of the Peace. But Gaspare was a lover of food and at an early age he emigrated to England to try his hand in the restaurant business and make his fortune.

I haven’t been able to determine how or when Edith and Gaspare met but they married in December 1902. Family and friends called Gaspare ‘Luigi’ and so I believe the signature on the postcard is actually ‘Lui’ and that he mailed it before the marriage because it is addressed to ‘Miss’ Edith Cheese.

Gaspare proved a very good restaurateur.

He opened and successfully ran two London restaurants, Gatti’s Adelphi and Gatti’s Strand.

It was the high quality of his food and service which brought him an offer to manage the first class a la carte restaurants on the Titanic and her sister ship Olympic. Gaspare was hired by the White Star Line in 1911 and first worked on

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

uncovered More Fortunate Coincidences After Maggie and I had taken photos of where Edith Cheese had lived in Putney we went searching for somewhere to have a late lunch. At the time I knew nothing of Edith’s Italian restaurant-owning husband so it was a curious coincidence that we settled on an Italian restaurant named Rogerio’s conveniently located next door to Putney Train Station.

There was a table of three ladies directly across from us and while we were enjoying our after-lunch wine I thought I heard one of them mention Gibraltar. Intrigued, I approached the women and asked if I had

history

been correct in believing that one of them had lived in Gibraltar.

And here we have another fortunate coincidence. The first and only time in my life I am in Putney and only for the purpose of researching a Gibraltar story and I happen to meet, completely by chance, a Gibraltarian.

Rosemary Rodriguez told me she was born in Gibraltar but had been evacuated to London during the war and now lived in Putney.

She was dining with her daughter Flordelis Delmedo and an Irish friend.

Rosemary and her daughter were quite happy to talk about Gibraltar and Rosemary commented on how beautiful she had found it on her last visit. The women kindly agreed to be photographed, unfortunately due to my incompetence with a camera, the photo didn’t turn out. However, Maggie and I would like to thank the ladies for making our day in Putney a special one. n

First class dining room on board the Titanic

the Olympic where he was responsible for hiring and paying staff and making purchases. He surrounded himself with fellow Italians and a few French chefs and servers.

If Gaspare had stayed with the Olympic he probably would have lived to a ripe old age because that great liner remained in service until 1935. However, what chef could resist the opportunity to manage the first class restaurant on the most luxurious ocean liner afloat — one which had been declared “unsinkable”.

When, on the first leg of her maiden voyage, the Titanic reached Southampton Gaspare signed on (6th April, 1915), giving his address as ‘Montalto’ Harborough Road, Southampton. Edith remained in London with their son Vittorio.

When the Titanic struck the iceberg at 11.40pm on 14th April, Gaspare’s first-class clients would have long before retired to bed or to the lounge for a smoke and a drink. They would still have been digesting a gourmet 10course dinner which for many of them would be their last meal. When the Titanic broke in two and sank at 2.20am on 15th April she claimed 1,502 lives (out of 2,224 passengers and crew) including most of the first-class restaurant staff.

The First-Class Menu As served in the first-class dining saloon of the RMS Titanic on 14th April, 1912: First Course Hors D’Oeuvres Oysters Second Course Consommé Olga Cream of Barley Third Course Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce, Cucumbers

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

The Putney address of Edith Cheese which lead to a chance meeting

Fourth Course Filet Mignons Lili Saute of Chicken, Lyonnaise Vegetable Marrow Farci Fifth Course Lamb, Mint Sauce Roast Duckling, Apple Sauce Sirloin of Beef, Chateau Potatoes Green Pea Creamed Carrots Boiled Rice Parmentier & Boiled New Potatoes Sixth Course Punch Romaine Seventh Course Roast Squab & Cress Eighth Course Cold Asparagus Vinaigrette Ninth Course Pate de Foie Gras Celery

Tenth Course Waldorf Pudding Peaches in Chartreuse Jelly Chocolate & Vanilla Eclairs French Ice Cream The repast was served with a different wine for each course. Following the tenth course fresh fruits and cheeses were offered.

Gaspare must have been immensely proud of that menu. Sadly it would be the last meal to be overseen by the 37-year-old. His body was recovered, and on 10th May, 1912 was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia. His personal belongings, including a gold watch and chain, a pair of cuff links marked “L.G.”, a diamond ring and five American dollar bills were returned to Edith in London and for some strange reason a single $1 bill was sent to his family in Italy. Sometime after Gaspare’s death Edith moved to Yorkshire. She died there in 1963, aged 82.

I wonder if it was her who used the Gibraltar postcard as a bookmark. n

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creatives

Jetstream: un-covering the dream!

words | Elena Scialtiel

Jetstream have fast grown to be Gibraltar’s most popular cover band in the nightclub circuit, with residency at Celebrity Bar and guest appearances all over the place.

From Summer Nights to National Day, from the Diamond Jubilee Spring Fest to the Rock on the Rock Club, without forgetting of course their jewel in the crown — opening for Jessie J and Ali Campbell at Victoria Stadium last September — revellers are set alight by the infectious energy and talent of these natural-born entertainers.

Plus, frontman Nolan Frendo’s showmanship and vocal range allow them to perform a wide ranging repertoire of UK Top 40 hits, with new numbers added every time.

Singers Louise Peach and Rima Azzopardi regularly guest star to duet with Nolan, but most often he takes on short female roles like in his rendition of Gotye’s hit Somebody That I Used To Know.

And now Jetstream are ready — or almost ready — to launch an album containing their original material inspired and influenced by the artists they cover. They’ve been writing since their inception in 2007, when Nick Cortes suggested his childhood friend Nolan, then a newly discovered soloist, start a band with him.

“Well, despite having plenty of original and catchy riffs at the ready, it’s sensitive personal stuff we’re putting in our songs, so until we’re absolutely happy with it, it makes no sense releasing it,” bassist and lyricist Justin Pou explains.

Most bands took their first steps in the music world by covering others, and this also helped

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them to define their own style and find their own identity, so to speak. Nothing wrong with that.

However, the ability to take the leap from mere tribute act is what really makes or breaks any rock band. And now that they’re finally going for it, they ambitiously aspire to a St Michael’s Cave launch gig because of its unique atmosphere.

“Or perhaps a quiet evening at the Garrison Library, serving cream tea and scones...” Justin chuckles. And why not? If his poetry is deemed cultural enough to be worthy of rocking the place and shaking the dust off the shelves...

Wanting to appeal to wider audiences than just teens, Jetstream have already tested the waters by plugging their first solo Lala at several gigs prior to their big one at the Stadium, so their hardcore audience already knew and sang along

“

Well, despite having plenty of original and catchy riffs at the ready, it’s sensitive personal stuff we’re putting in our songs, so until we’re absolutely happy with it, it makes no sense releasing it

”

to the chorus. It was a big satisfaction, the boys admit, especially when they were asked whose song that one was, and many fans could hardly believe it was their original material instead of yet another successful cover version.

“When he’s not at work, Nolan is always on his guitar,” Nick explains. “He wrote the melody but he had no lyrics for it so when he strummed the chorus, he just sang la... la and Justin decided it was a keeper. Lala is an abstract song, although about a very personal experience, that everyone can adapt to his or her own.”

“One cannot be too precious about who wrote what, and usually we all contribute to polish music and lyrics,” lead guitarist Stu Whitwell corrects him, while Nick jests that I must add here the words ‘with a smug expression on his face’.

Perhaps because he was too keen on taking the spotlight from his back-row drummer role, perhaps because he was the only one not tucking into some greasy dinner at the time our interview was conducted, Nick was the group’s most talkative, and waxed lyrical about the band’s humble beginnings, fallouts and great achievements.

“There is no ‘I’ in ‘band’: it is a team, sheer oneness. We work so well because we are a group of friends who share something that is well beyond a hobby,” he says. “Despite our busy lives with work and family commitments, we always make time for gigs and rehearsals,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

take one

photo: Ulookfierce.com

creatives

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

but in both the performers tend from their standpoint to have the view of just a sea of faces in the shadows, so the venue is always just as big as the front section reached by the floodlight.

Asked about why they called themselves Jetstream and what their album title will be, Stu vented his X-rated original ideas for name and title, but Nick reminded him his parents will read this, and print is here to stay long enough for their grandkids to read it too, so his last comment was struck.

“Hey, are you kidding? This would be great stuff for grandkids to read!” Justin jokes. “Seriously though, it is very hard to pick a winning

band’s name because it isn’t the name that makes the band but vice versa. For example, our favourite band is Pearl Jam and if you think about it, it’s a pretty absurd name, yet nobody would question its effectiveness in the light of their popularity.”

So what is a Jetstream, in their very poetic words? “It’s the white line that airplanes leave behind in the sky: basically like monumental plane farting, man... hey, can we say ‘fart’ on TV?” n Visit Jetstream’s new website www.jetstream.gi and their Facebook page for the latest updates on gigs and video streaming.

photo: Mark Galliano Photography

because music is our passion. Our partners are very understanding in this respect.”

“We do it for fun and often we like being funny,” says Stu, singled out as the ‘oldest and wisest’, as well as their publicist, being a professional designer.

“Yes, we do get paid sometimes,” he continues, “but the money goes in the band’s pot, to be used towards facilities that may improve our performances.”

“The gig is often its own reward — fuelling the crowds repays all effort, including the sweaty part of loading and unloading our instruments,” Nick adds.

“We do it for the kick we get from playing live, when we get a high dose of the most legal drug one can have: adrenaline!” Justin underscores.

“I feel like King Kong on cocaine when I am on stage: mighty and pretty high!”

At Nick and Stu’s protests, Justin is quick to add: “Hey, we’re totally against drugs! Kids, drugs are totally uncool!”

“Of course, we were very flattered to be asked to play at the Victoria Stadium! It was a joyous occasion and one which we’ll cherish forever, unfortunately because we were the first act on stage, most people were still queuing outside and missed us,” Nick says. “Standing before such big crowd was an amazing experience though.”

Despite their access-all-areas backstage pass they barely managed to steal a snapshot of Jessie J, while Ali Campbell was ‘a true gentleman’ who posed for their photos and signed autographs.

Is it more nerve-racking playing an intimate venue or a stadium? Either has pros and cons,

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creatives Inside, it will be released on 1st March. It’s been three years since our last full-length release. We have been busy in the interim — we were touring our last album Insects well into 2011 and started recording at the end of that year. ♦ FH: I understand the EP was unplugged can you explain why you decided on this and was it a one off?

PI: The EP was unplugged, the album won’t be, but we are a band of variety, so the acoustic stuff forms a large part of our sound on our ‘plugged’ albums. ♦ FH: Who wrote the songs and were there any particular influences new to you as a band?

PI: Every song is a beast all of its own. We don’t have a formula or a set team when it comes to writing.

As far as new influences, we tend to keep our ears open all the time and our music is a reflection of everything we hear both new and classic... Every day we discover something new and it all goes into the melting pot! ♦

Breed 77 on track interview | Frankie Hatton

In 2012 the local Social Media was buzzing as Breed 77 played the Alameda gardens for what seemed the first time in years — another triumphal homecoming for one of Gibraltar’s best exports. In between their busy schedule I managed to fire a few questions to front man Paul Isola to keep us up to speed with their latest news.

FH: Where is the band based at the moment and how have things gone for you over the past 12 months?

PI: The band has always been based in London — we feel it is the right place to give us an international reach and logistically it is very practical for us to set out on tour from.

The last 12 months have been fairly busy, but not too crazy. We released our acoustic EP, Under The Skin in May, supported it with a UK acoustic tour that culminated with a performance at the prestigious Download Festival. We played a couple of festivals in the Summer, including Lithuania Rock Nights, then came over to Gib to play the

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Alameda Theatre.

We ended the year with a European tour supporting Soil and Fozzy, whose singer coincidentally is Chris Jericho, former World Wrestling champion! ♦ FH: Your concert in the Alameda was great! Did you get a sense of homecoming?

PI: Every show we play in Gibraltar is very special — you get

to play to your friends, family and peers — there is more history for us here than anywhere else... We have many countries around the world that make us feel at home — but Gibraltar is our first and only home. ♦ FH: The latest album — what is it called and how long since your last album?

PI: The new album is, The Evil

Every show we play in Gibraltar is very special — you get to play to your friends, family and peers — there is more history for us here than anywhere else...

FH: You did a lot of gigs last year do you have more planned in 2013?

PI: 2013 is gonna be a busy year.

We already have our UK headline tour announced for March, and are about to announce a European tour shortly after. Summer will bring the festival circuit and, in between all that, we want to return to the US and South America. We also have some plans in the pipeline of returning to Gibraltar at some point during the year. ♦ FH: Spain is an issue for Gibraltarians at the moment — when you gig there do you feel any sense of that issue?

PI: Surprisingly we have generally had an awesome reaction from our Spanish fans, antagonistic political agendas have no place in our music — music is meant to unite, not divide...

Occasionally you have some idiot who will taunt you with the familiar, “Gibraltar - Espanol!”. To these rare fools, we do not just turn the other cheek, we ask them out for a fight, which suddenly seems to scare them into submission! It’s not political, the guy just disrespected our motherland, anybody from anywhere in the world would react in a similar manner. ♦ Paul gave us the download link for the digital download bundle Drown featuring the ‘B’ side cover of Alice Cooper’s Poison check it here and don’t forget to like, share and tweet: www.facebook.com/breed77

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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support

Let’s get together & make happy babies! words | Elena Scieltiel

The double P makes all the difference in the acronym of newborn local charity BabySTEPPs, which stands for Support Through Early Parenthood and Pregnancy.

The double P is in fact there to call on prospective parents to join and enjoy the joys of parenthood, and to help them prepare for the rollercoaster ride that each journey to and through family is.

The idea is first and foremost to offer support and information, and to bring like-minded people together for experience sharing.

In their fortnightly antenatal sessions, they offer cycles of twelve classes about labour, breastfeeding, weaning, neonatal healthcare etc., delivered by expert guest speakers, such as their patron, consultant gynaecologist Mr David White.

Ante-natal groups are modelled along the lines of the UK’s National Childbirth Trust, and are proving to be as much a learning experience as a platform for meeting other likeminded people about to set sail ‘in the same boat’.

BabySTEPPs is a mission young mother Kate Llufrio embarked on after she suffered miscarriage and the loss of her son to preterm labour, followed by two difficult, but thankfully successful, pregnancies.

As Kate was very grateful to find solace and strength in other women who shared a similar burden, including the charity’s Secretary Francesca Cano, and especially within

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the charity HOPE, soon she realised there was a need to start a group to tackle the wide range of issues faced by prospective parents, including those seeking alternative avenues like IVF or adoption.

BabySTEPPs is all about hope, and its monthly infertility sessions are particularly topical given the GHA’s new sponsorship of IVF treatment for eligible couples, whether because unable to conceive or because they must work around life-threatening genetic conditions.

The group also provides support for new parents whose little ones have required, or are

BabySTEPPs is all about hope, and its monthly infertility sessions are particularly topical given the GHA’s new sponsorship of IVF treatment for eligible couples

undergoing, extensive hospital care, particularly for treatment abroad. Vice-chair Louise Maclaren experienced the loss of one of her premature twins, Owen, at just 17 days old, after being whisked to Malaga in her twentyfifth week of pregnancy to be hospitalised for a further 100 days. And now that the other twin, Leon, is a healthy two-year old thanks to expert medical care, Louise feels how those long months’ trauma could have perhaps been eased, had there been some emotional support available.

The same goes for Treasurer Katherine Torres, whose daughter was diagnosed with a serious heart defect at just two days old and required months of hospitalisation and surgery at specialist centre in Spain — happily she is now a healthy and thriving one-year-old.

Louise and Katherine are working with the GHA to implement measures they would have found helpful at the time, including patient transfer information packs. Katherine also runs a monthly support group in the hope it will ease the journey for future parents who may find themselves in similar unfortunate circumstances.

Furthermore, BabySTEPPs is about mak-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

baby faces support ing Gibraltar an even more family-friendly place, for example awarding the ‘BabySAFE’ badge to participating local restaurants for their pram accessible premises, nappy changing or breastfeeding facilities: “Logistically it isn’t always possible to build toilets big enough for parents to bring buggies in with them, but baby-changing padded flaps can be fitted virtually anywhere and we do need them in the gents’ room too, as fathers do travel alone with babies and find themselves operating in the open for lack of secluded areas,” Kate says. “The awards are all about recognising and rewarding the places that do make the extra effort to make family dining as easy and comfortable as possible.”

The BabySTEPPs team have had a very busy year already. As well as launching their support groups, some of their achievements include organising a ‘Mother’s Day Mission’ video tribute and fun day last year, getting stillbirth registration laws updated, implementing new oxygen level checks on newborns, and organising/supporting events for Breastfeeding Awareness Day, Baby Loss Awareness Week, Adoption Awareness Week and World Prematurity Day. And this year looks set to be just as busy!

In February, thanks to the Kusuma Trust’s generous sponsorship, they will host a threeday training seminar by a delegate from UK charity Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) aimed at supporting performed for medical professionals and volunteers to learn how to cope with baby bereavement.

Then it’s the turn of the official launch and fund-raising party at Corks on 21st February, a chance for all those linked to the charity to come together and mark its official registration.

In June and September respectively, they will for the first time mark World Fertility Aware-

ness Month and Pregnancy Health Month and in November Multiple Birth Awareness Month.

Above all, BabySTEPPs is about celebrating the joy of parenthood and promoting family fun: watch out for their ‘Pramathon’ event in the spring, a sponsored parent-and-pram walk downtown.

Ladies, gentlemen and babies, start your strollers! n BabySTEPPS www.facebook.com/BABYSTEPPSGIB Email: info@babystepps.com www.babystepps.com

BabySTEPPs is about celebrating the joy of parenthood and promoting family fun: watch out for their ‘Pramathon’ event in the spring

Baby & Us — The Financial Impact Raising a child can be a financial strain, with costs beginning during pregnancy and in some cases lasting a lifetime.

A new study has found that parents spend an average of £1,786 in preparation for their newborn, some parents spend upwards of £10,000 in eager anticipation of their bundle of joy. If you add to this the loss of earnings which may occur as a result of pregnancy and childcare, it is not surprising that two thirds of expectant parents turn to credit cards or loans to cover the costs.

The combination of caring for a newborn and coping with increased financial burden can be a strain for many couples and a quarter of couples in the study claimed their relationship was impacted.

Parents often feel pressured into overspending prior to the baby’s birth, but the spending doesn’t stop on delivery day. A report in 2012 found the cost of raising a child from birth to the age of 21, has soared to a record high of more than £10,000 a year per child. n

More Help for Mummy:

Mummy & Me Mummy and Me Breastfeeding Support Group is a group for mums who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breastfed to get together for coffee, chat and support. Partners and older children also welcome. Meets first Wednesday of every month at Chilton Court Community Hall at 1.30pm. Enquiries contact them via Mummy and Me Facebook Group, or phone support number 54014517. n

The financial and care demands of a baby and pregnancy can put a tremendous strain on couples and individuals. BabySTEPPs (Support Through Early Parenthood and Pregnancy) is a new charity designed to provide support and information, and to introduce like-minded people in a similar stage of life.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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Cosmetic Surgery Best Practice Aria Medical Group welcomes the renewed focus on the conduct of cosmetic surgery organisations, and strives to set the benchmark in Best Practice.

The significant growth in the popularity of elective cosmetic surgery has had a significant, positive effect on the lives of millions of people around the world.

Yet it is no secret that the demand for cosmetic surgery has also led some firms to put profit before care, and this has sadly put clients at risk of bad practice. This might be through the use of unqualified, non-specialist cosmetic surgeons, poor quality implants, or an inappropriate clinical environment.

This in turn has made governments and medical authorities renew their focus on the cosmetic surgery sector, with a view to protecting patients.

Aria Medical Group embraces this focus on providing the highest level of care for every patient. Dr. Marco Vricella and his team continually strive to offer Best Practice, and want to see a healthy, sustainable cosmetic surgery sector.

Aria Medical Group’s benchmark in Best Practice includes: SURGEON CONSULTATIONS: All clients have a private consultation with the surgeon – a qualified specialist in cosmetic surgery, and reconstructive surgery. This is the expert best equipped to advise patients. This advice includes information about the recovery period and also the risks, however small. Sometimes the advice is not to proceed with a particular procedure as the person is not suitable.

This transparent, honest and clinically based approach is imperative.

SPECIALIST SURGEON: Dr. Marco Vricella is a qualified Doctor and qualified cosmetic and

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reconstructive surgeon, registered with all the relevant medical boards and associations in the UK, Spain, Gibraltar and Italy.

BEST QUALITY: Aria Medical only uses the best quality FDA approved implants and clients are advised about the realistic lifetime of the implants. (Aria Medical Group never worked with the discredited PIP implants).

PRIVATE HOSPITAL: All Aria Medical Group cosmetic surgery procedures are performed in the fully equipped, luxury, private hospital, High Care International in Marbella. This is a full-service, exclusive hospital, with stateof-the-art operating theatres, together with a full complement of highly qualified, English speaking nurses and medical staff - all under the same roof.

COOLING OFF PERIOD: Aria Medical Group never asks clients to make a decision on the day of the consultation and no hard-sell, pressurised techniques are used, allowing clients time to review their consent for a procedure and enabling them to postpone or cancel their surgery without penalty*.

FAIR PRICE: Aria Medical Group understands that the price of a procedure is important to clients, as making it accessible brings clients closer to realising their dream of having their desired procedure. However Aria Medical Group will always put clinical factors before market competition; quality cannot always be the cheapest.

AFTERCARE: Aftercare is central to Aria Medical Group’s approach to Best Practice.

All cosmetic surgery procedures include free post-operative consultations – either at your home in Gibraltar or at College Clinic

and free revision surgery if necessary within the first year.

At Aria Medical Group, we’re passionate about the benefits of cosmetic surgery; we know the potential it has to change lives for the better.

We are also passionate about caring for our clients, providing information, advice, high quality clinical expertise and genuine aftercare. That’s why at Aria Medical Group we welcome the renewed focus on the sector.

Free Consultations If you want to find out more, then Dr. Vricella holds free consultations at College Clinic, Regal House, Gibraltar every 2 weeks – for dates and to book an appointment please call :

+ 34 952 895 088 or email: info@ariamedicalgroup.com

www.ariamedicalgroup.com Some of our most popular procedures: + Breast Augmentation + Breast Uplift (Mastopexy) + Breast Reduction + Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) + Liposuction + Face Lifts + Eyebag Removal (Blepharoplasty) + Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) + Weight-loss Surgery / Gastric Band + Cosmetic Dentistry * Terms and Conditions apply.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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

Book your FREE consultation

(+34) 952 895 088 in English (+34) 662 936 058 en Español e: info@ariamedicalgroup.com When choosing your surgeon check their credentials.

They should be registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC), the Spanish CGM and also on the UK Specialist Register of Plastic Surgeons (SRPC).

www.ariamedicalgroup.com Cosmetic Surgery GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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Madrid

health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

McTimoney Chiropractor

Your Family Chemists

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

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

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

Health Clubs

Atlantic Suites Health Club & Spa Tel: 200 48147

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

JOHN W. MILES

HEARING CENTRE

BSc (Podiatry), M.Ch.S

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

STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST Treatment of all Foot Problems • Ingrown Toe-nails including Surgical Removal

Opticians / Optometrists

• Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children

Gache & Co Limited 266 Main Street. Tel: 200 75757

• Wart (Verruca) Clinic

L. M. Passano Optometrist 38 Main Street. Tel: 200 76544

• Diabetics

PERSONAL TRAINERS

Tel: 200 77777

Simon Coldwell Complete Fitness Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Tel: 200 51113

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

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

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SPECIALISTS

7 days a week 5pm-9pm

College Clinic, Ground Floor, Regal House, Queensway.

Tel: 200 77777 www.collegeclinic.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

well-being health

l

Here’s Health

New Helpline Hours for Childline In response to feedback received from its service users, Childline Gibraltar’s free Telephone Helpline Service is now open from 5pm until 9pm. The Service runs every day of the year including all Bank Holidays.

Since 2006, Childline has been focused on its mission to end cruelty to children in Gibraltar.

The confidential free Telephone Helpline Service receives an average of 55 calls a month, mainly from children, teenagers, or from adults who are concerned about a child.

Our highly trained volunteers offer empathy, support and a friendly ear and help callers explore the options open to them.

Calls received cover many issues that young people may be facing such as bullying, relationships, abuse (physical, emotional and

sexual), teenage pregnancy and drug dependency.

As well as offering the Helpline Service, Childline operates an educational programme for schools and an Appropriate Adult scheme for young people who have been arrested.

Childline relies on donations and the generosity of the local community to fund its services. If you or your company would like to get involved and support their vital work, contact info@childline.gi or visit the website www.childline.gi for further information. n

The Eyes Don’t Lie...

The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin, which means your body doesn’t store it, you have to ensure you get a regular intake in food or supplements.

Vitamin C is essential for the growth/repair of tissues, it is essential for the body to make collagen, and is needed for healing wounds, and for maintaining bones and teeth.

As an antioxidant it blocks some of the damage caused by free radicals which over time may contribute to the aging process, cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.

Reduced levels of vitamin C in the body have been associated with high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers, and atherosclerosis which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Vitamin C appears to work with other antioxidants, including zinc, beta-carotene, and vitamin E to protect the eyes against developing macular degeneration (AMD).

Studies suggest that vitamin C may also be helpful for: boosting immune system, maintaining healthy gums, treating asthma, eczema and hay fever, reducing sunburn, healing burns and wounds and decreasing blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Dietary sources include citrus fruits, red and green peppers, melon, strawberries, kiwi, mango, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, leafy greens, potatoes, squash, and berries.

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55

health

well-being

Donations for Looked After Children Minister for Equality and Social Services, the Hon Samantha

Sacramento, received a cheque from Paul Gabay on behalf of Lloyds Bank in January. The money will be used to pay for weekend away for Gibraltar’s Looked After Children. The money had been raised, within the branch, by staff donating when they came to ‘Dress Down Fridays’. Minister Sacramento also thanked GibOil and the Red Cross who have made substantial donations to Looked After Children over the past few months.

Revolutionary Laser Therapy in Gibraltar The Deep Tissue Therapy Lasers works by flooding the tissues with photons, energizing the damaged cells and increasing circulation to the painful area. This produces a cascade of healing responses in your body, reducing inflammation, thereby reducing or even eliminating your pain.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

well-being health

John Hunter, Operations Director for Lord Nelson Ltd, Marisa Desoiza and Helen White from the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief, Natalie Manning, Bridge Bar & Grill General Manager and Andy Hunter Financial & Marketing Director Lord Nelson Ltd

Hunter family raises £2,130 for Cancer Relief Clients in six of the Hunter Twin’s bars in Gibraltar, over the period of a month, were secretly making a contribution to the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief. Many clients did not even realise that each time they ordered a hot drink to consume on the premises or

to take away they were adding to the charity total which added up to £2,130.00 for Cancer Relief.

The bars participating were the Gibraltar Arms, Jury’s Cafe & Wine Bar (both on Main Street), O’Reilly’ Irish Pub in Ocean Village,

the Star Bar and the Lord Nelson in Casemates and their most recent venture the Bridge Bar & Grill, just over the bridge from O’Reilly’s.

A presentation lunch took place in the American themed Bridge Bar & Grill at Ocean Village in January. n

The Chiropractic Health Clinic offers a Deep Tissue Therapy Level 4 laser that is safe, painless, F.D.A. and E.U. approved. It is currently used by major football and baseball teams in the United States to keep players on the pitch. Drug free, pain relief is the goal for individuals suffering from frozen shoulder pain ­— a non-surgical option that truly has the power to eliminate or significantly reduce pain.

A short course of treatment with this powerful laser is all it takes to realise life changing results.

Treatments take only 10 minutes, however the therapeutic effect continues to soothe and heal long after you leave, and the effects of your treatment will continue for up to 18 hours.

So if you are suffering with chronic shoulder pain and want to be pain free with increased movement, but surgery and drugs are not the answer, the Chiropractic Health Clinic are offering a free trial with no obligation on treatment at their clinic from 1st - 15th Febuary, when quoting GibMag on booking your appointment.

Phone Catherine Crump on 200 44610, and take the first step to being healthier and pain free. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

57

fashion

leisure & sport

shopping & gifts

Retail& Activities hair & beauty

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

58 58

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAziNE • FEBRUARY 2013

leisure events

Strategy for the Young British chess Grandmaster, Stuart Conquest, was appointed as a Gibraltar Community Chess Professional during January’s 11th Tradewise Gibraltar International Chess Festival. Stuart, contracted

by Gibtelecom, will promote chess throughout the community, with special emphasis on encouraging chess playing in schools.

The Community Chess Professional will formulate future strategies for developing chess in Gibraltar, focusing mainly on schools.

There is a wealth of research documenting the academic and social benefits of chess, showing the game improves analytical skills, strategic thinking, decision making and even encourages patience amongst other attributes. In his role as Community Chess Professional Stuart will also manage the annual Gibraltar Junior International Chess Festival, which was launched by the organisers of the main festival in summer 2011, as well as coordinating international chess visits and coaching in schools. He will also look at opportunities for developing the sport in the wider community, co-ordinating with local chess organisations, workplace and community groups where chess may aid health and awareness.

The initiative has been developed by the Chess Festival organisers, in particular Brian

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Callaghan, Chairman of the Caleta Hotel (who provides the venue for the tournaments), James Humphreys from Tradewise Insurance (leading commercial sponsor since the 2011 tournament) and Tim Bristow, CEO of Gibtelecom (originally the lead commercial sponsor, now focussed on providing technical support for the live streaming of the event on the internet). This project is operating in conjunction with the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority and the Government of Gibraltar, who are providing financial support for the initiative.

Minister for Sports, Culture, Heritage and Youth, Steven Linares, said “As with many sports played locally, Gibraltar has already seen some international success with the rise of a potential international chess champion. Stephen

Chess improves analytical skills, strategic thinking, decision making and even encourages patience amongst other attributes

Whatley, at the age of nine, is already representing England internationally at chess and teams of local school children are doing well in the UK National Schools Championships. We hope this community chess initiative will continue to develop the game locally.”

Gibtelecom’s Tim Bristow said “This new project is a next step in ensuring the continuing success of chess locally and we are delighted to be associated with this initiative.”

Stuart Conquest added “I am committed to the promotion of chess in Gibraltar and to the continuation of the work already being done through the coaching visits in recent years, which have seen over 500 children being taught to play.”

Stuart won the World Under-16 Championship at the age of 14 and was British Chess Champion in 2008. Since the mid-1990s, he has been a frequent member of the England team at Chess Olympiads and other championships.

Stuart has been involved with the Gibraltar International Chess Festival for many years, initially as a commentator on the live web stream, and later as tournament director.

The Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival was labelled “the most prestigious open tournament in the world” by the Sunday Times and attracts some of the biggest names in chess. n

59

words | Jolene Gomez

Our First Class Team It might not be a sport that has grabbed the headlines, but cricket is a sport with a great heritage in Gibraltar. The sport has been played in Gibraltar since the late 18th century and, although it was initially played by British Servicemen, it was not long before Gibraltarians took up the game and the passion continues to grow to this day.

Records show that around 1800 there was a cricket ground on the land immediately to the north of the Rock. The Gibraltar Cricket Club was established in 1883, and formed the backbone of civilian cricket on the Rock until well into the 20th century.

“Cricket in Gibraltar is a lot bigger than people realise, but it certainly has the potential to be bigger and better,” says General Manager Ross Brooks.

“As a sport, cricket probably hasn’t been good enough at raising its own profile over the years.

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We sit in a relatively unique position as a sport in Gibraltar in that we are fortunate to have associate membership status of the global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and we receive a small amount of funding that helps us govern and grow the

“

Senior Mens National Squad in 2012

Gibraltar Cricket:

Kayron Stagno celebrates scoring an electric half century against Austria

sport in Gibraltar,” he explains.

“A pre-requisite of receiving this funding is for us to have full time resources focusing on both the administrative side and, from a coaching point of view, investing in the grass roots level of the cricket, meaning we can put the

Cricket in Gibraltar is a lot bigger than people realise, but it certainly has the potential to be bigger and better

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

sporting heroes correct focus on running the sport correctly, and closely in line with our strategic initiatives.”

Ross operates and oversees the day-to-day running of Gibraltar Cricket as the National Governing Body, ensuring they remain compliant with the ICC development criteria in growing the game from grass roots to national team level, but also, most importantly, to ensure they have a plan in place to move cricket forward.

Mark Bacarese is Gibraltar Cricket’s Development Manager who spends over 30 hours a week working within Gibraltar’s schools helping to promote the game to a new audience and coaching future generations. With approximately 750 boys and girls picking up a bat or ball every week, this is a great achievement for local cricket.

The senior men’s game forms the largest competitive part of cricket in Gibraltar. There are four weekend senior sides, playing a number of competitions over various formats of the game. The midweek leagues and cup boast 16 teams competing in T20 (20 Over a side) competitions and forms the best introduction to senior cricket for anyone looking to take up the game or wanting to get back into cricket.

The Girls’ & Women’s game though is something that is growing year on year. With the Gibraltar Girls getting the opportunity to play in another tournament in the UK this summer, and the women having an international tournament lined up in Berlin, this league is going from strength to strength.

“For the senior men we have in place a performance squad system that has 25 players in it, these range from experienced internationals to young up-and-coming players, who will benefit from being a part of this environment in the years to come,” says Ross. “Paul Lawrence (known to the squad simply as ‘Sid’) makes several visits during the year to work with the squad.

Sid does lots of coaching within one of the English County set ups and it is important for the guys to get access, not only an experienced technical coach, but also to have someone like Sid there to share ideas on the game with.”

Maintaining their position at the ICC Europe Division One level has been a key achievement over the past few years, as they aspire to compete in the World Leagues.

Their next major tournament will take place in Sussex this summer against Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Norway and Sweden.

leisure

Coach Mark Bacarese with Gibraltar Girls on tour

“

Having a proper facility would not only benefit Gibraltar, but due to our climate, also has the potential to make Gibraltar a hub for first class cricket training facilities in Europe As it stands, Gibraltar Cricket has its base at Europa Point however this facility is not adequate, and with the potential of a second football stadium being built, the long term vision for cricketing facilities in Gibraltar is still unclear.

“While there are many things within our control that we can directly influence, there are also key challenges which we are reliant on support of others. One of the absolute key challenges for any sport is to grow and have the correct facilities in place. Having a proper facility would not only benefit Gibraltar, but due to our climate, also has the potential to make Gibraltar a hub for first class cricket training facilities in Europe,” Ross explains.

This year will no doubt be an exciting one for local cricket, as a new Youth Section will be launched, giving further opportunities for boys and girls aged between eight and 15 years, to learn and enjoy the game. Gibraltar Cricket will be reliant on volunteers to help and support these sessions from both a coaching and administration point of view, so please do not hesitate to contact them if you want to get involved.

The first set of formal qualifications will be held towards the end of March, in a UKCC Level 1 course, which will be funded for anyone who can offer a long-term commitment to supporting Gibraltar Cricket.

“By contacting us here at Gibraltar Cricket, we can arrange to put

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

anyone in touch with a club or details of training sessions depending on their level, or even inform them on coaching and volunteering. The important thing is that we want people to enjoy the game, and if anyone wants to give cricket

”

a try, then just let us know,” Ross says with a grin. n For more information and contact details please visit Gibraltar Cricket’s new website at www.gibraltarcricket. com.

Opening bowler Ross Harkins appealing

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63

Edward William Cooke

The English Painter’s Fascination with Catalan Bay words | Reg Reynolds

Edward William Cooke was a much travelled English painter who spent considerable time sketching and painting the fishermen and environs of Catalan Bay. In 1860, accompanied by his friend the horticulturalist James Bateman, Cooke undertook a journey around Spain travelling through Catalonia, Valencia and Andalucia before crossing to Tangier. Stopping at Gibraltar he was entranced by Catalan Bay and the Genoese fishermen living and working there. So enthused was Cooke that in the spring of 1861 he made three trips to Gibraltar.

A Cooke biographer wrote: “He spent some time in Catalan Bay, a small bay and fishing village on the eastern side of Gibraltar, on the far side of the Rock from the main city, where he was interested in the remarkable geology. Only fishermen were permitted to live there in the 19th century, and here, rather than treating the area’s natural history, Cooke focuses on the everyday life of the fishing

64

community.”

One of Cooke’s popular works from Catalan shows a small fishing boat pulled up on the beach with three fishermen lying asleep alongside, while a fourth mends nets.

The book A Century of British Painters by Richard and Samuel Redgrave describes how Cooke became a full member of the Royal Academy in 1864 the year in which he exhibited his large work the Goodwin Lightship. “Another picture much praised for its geological accuracy of detail was Catalan Bay,

Gibraltar.”

Critics credited Cooke’s experience in the Med region with brightening his technique. “A new, more luminous quality began to pervade the colours in his work,” wrote one.

“The light of the Mediterranean can be seen even in his pencil sketches, which show clarity and the sense of exoticism that Spain awakened in European travellers.”

Edward William Cooke was born in 1811 at Pentonville, London. His father George and Uncle William were both highly-regarded engrav-

Critics credited Cooke’s experience in the Med region with brightening his technique. “A new, more luminous quality began to pervade the colours in his work,” wrote one

ers. Edward demonstrated skill as a draughtsmen and engraver from an early age and developed a preference for marine subjects, particularly sailing ships. When he was just 18 he published Shipping and Craft a series of accomplished engravings. He studied under distinguished artist friends of his father and began painting in oils in 1833. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1835.

Cooke went on to travel and paint with great industry at home and abroad, indulging his love of the 17th-century Dutch marine artists with a visit to Holland in 1837. He returned there regularly over the next 23 years, studying the effects of the coastal landscape and light, as well as the works of the country’s Old Masters, resulting in highly successful paintings.

These included Beaching a Pink at

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

canvas arts Contemporaries described Cooke as having a “lively and genial disposition” who was “restlessly active, a great talker and full of anecdote” Scheveningen (National Maritime Museum, London), which he exhibited in 1855 at the Royal Academy.

He also travelled to Venice and made dozens of paintings of that city, including The Piazetta of St. Marks, Venice, which once sold for £58,000.

Another of Cooke’s favourite spots was the Isle of Wight where in 1865 “...he made a thorough study of its fishing boats and lobster pots; above all he delighted in the beaches strewn with rocks of various kinds, fishing tackle, breakwaters and small timber-propped jetties.”

Cooke didn’t limit his interests

to art; he also dabbled in natural history and geology and was a Fellow of both the Geological Society and the Zoological Society. In the 1840s he helped his aforementioned friend James Bateman, who was a wealthy landowner, fit out and design the gardens at Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire.

Contemporaries described Cooke as having a “lively and genial disposition” who was “restlessly active, a great talker and full of anecdote”.

He enjoyed entertaining at his home at Groombridge (near Tunbridge Wells) where he died on 4th January, 1880. n

Do You Have Talent?

Do you have any talent and want a platform to show it off? Then sign up for an amazing rollercoaster experience you won’t forget and prove to the judges and Gibraltar once again that Gibraltar’s Got Talent!

Social Club, Tuesday to Friday 6-10pm. Once you have your application form simply it fill in and send it back before Thursday 28th February at 8pm. Who knows, it could be your chance to shine this year. n

Whether you are aged from 8 years to 100, get yourself an application form for Gibraltar’s Got Talent 4th Edition by sending an email to idealproductions@live.com or search on Facebook for Ideal Productions and send a message.

You can also collect application forms from the Varyl Begg

Adopt Don’t Buy The GSPCA has many lovely dogs looking for homes.

Before you buy a dog please visit us and give a dog a home.

Give a Dog a Home If you are interested in adopting call the GSPCA on 540 19968 or 540 29927 Note: dogs that have been kennelled for a while may need patience with house training when first in their new home (as do puppies from pet shops!)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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puzzle page

SUDOKU Just for fun!

by Alan Gravett 2

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Jotting Pad

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

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Across 1. Capable of being changed (7) 6. Understand completely; turn into cash (7) 9. Courteous, formal first words of a

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

journeys events A group of 30 people from Gibraltar recently visited the infamous Second World War Auschwitz camp where they took a journey through their emotions as much as a journey through history. This is one person’s experience of being a part of the group.

Learning From Auschwitz

An Emotional Journey

I

n the modern world, you

would be hard-pressed to

find somebody who has

not heard of the Holocaust.

It is familiar to everyone, whether through TV shows, films, books, history lessons, or the stories we’ve been told. We have heard the facts and the figures, the horror stories and the history.

I thought I knew a fair amount, as most people do. However, I thought there could be more to learn, and hoped I could gain a better understanding of these terrible events if I saw Auschwitz myself, so I jumped at the chance to go see the Auschwitz camps in Krakow thanks to the Learning From Auschwitz organisation, which is sponsored by various companies.

I arrived thinking I would leave knowing more, mostly expecting to learn more facts. What I didn’t

words | Rebecca Luttig

expect was the massive emotional impact it had on our entire group of over 30 people from Gibraltar.

I found that the Auschwitz Birkenau Camps themselves were far less of a history lesson to me than they were an emotional one.

Of course, we also learned a good amount of the history itself, with the advantages of walking through the Jewish Quarters only minutes after having heard what life would be like there, or making our way through Oscar Schindler’s Factory while hearing the famous tale again.

It is hard to describe all the emotions a place like that can bring up, and I doubt that if I tried, anyone who hadn’t been there themselves would fully understand. It’s a place of tragedy and fear, and I think it would be near impossible to find another place on Earth that

effects people in such a way. It is overwhelming, and tears were shed by a good number of our group, triggered by different stories, different spots in the camp and emotions hard to pinpoint.

We wrapped up our six-day stay in Krakow with a final seminar to help us work through all we’d seen and learned, which was very important to us all. We worked through our emotions and ideas,

Members of the group from Gibraltar under the Auschwitz motto “Work Sets One Free”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

and came to the conclusion that there were many important messages to take from this, not all of them negative.

Events such as the Holocaust stem from hate, whether it is racism or antisemitism, sexism or plain discrimination in a playground of children or workplace bullies. Hate is a powerful and destructive force, bringing nothing positive to either party.

The lesson we could learn for ourselves as individuals, having heard the survivor Bernard Offen talk of his experiences, was to treasure what we have and to appreciate our relatively easy lives.

We learned that hate is very much a terrible thing, and we should aim always to tolerate, if not love, those around us. Beyond the miniscule differences that set us apart as individuals we are all human after all, and are made of the same stuff.

It is a shame so much of this world does not see that, and people are still suffering under hate and discrimination. As people empowered with a voice, we need to stand up and work towards equality and tolerance. But we will not achieve it if we do nothing.

As Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” n

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art file

creatives

Jessica Darch:

Creating Walls of Colour Gibraltar’s walls have been getting more colourful lately, with paintings and murals cropping up in all the very best residences. We spoke to artist Jessica Darch on her artwork and projects.

Jessica, you had an joint exhibition last year with your mother and since you have been busy doing commissions in Gibraltar.

Could you tell us a little bit about what you are currently working on and where we can see your works in public?

I’ve just completed a series of commissioned paintings for a client of Patricia Darch Interiors based on the fabrics and layout. For example, in the hallway I had to introduce some colour as the scheme was fairly neutral so I did a pair of “Rothko” inspired paintings: Shortly before I was in the UK for three weeks working on a mural in Sir Peter and Lady Virginia Bottomley’s country home.

It is a mural which goes all the way around the dining ceiling depicting members of the family and inspired by William Morris. I also finished another mural for them in their library earlier on in the year, also inspired by Left: The impressive mural Jessica painted in Gibraltar’s Admiral’s Place

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Gibraltar MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

creatives

art file

William Morris.

I have also recently hung some of my work in Lloyds bank head office in Ocean Village.

As well as this, I have only just last week hung some ultra modern paintings in the new Gymnasium in Sotogrande “Vanity”.

People can see my work at both of the Patrica Darch Interiors’ showrooms in Gibraltar and Sotogrande.

What is the most unusual project you have worked on?

The most challenging mural I’ve EVER done has been in Admiral’s Place in Gibraltar.

I did a mural going up a nine metre high spiral staircase... that’s four storeys!

My spec was to paint monkeys, so again I opted for a Grissalle look to make it more sophisticated and blend it in to the space. The background was a fantasy landscape with palm trees and other foliage.

I also did a series of paintings for a luxury yacht last year. Five depicting Caribbean scenes for the living room, two abstracts for one bedroom, scenes of New York in second bedroom, and in the third, a series of underwater abstracts.

We are told you are working on a mural here at present. Can you explain how this came about and how long it will take to complete?

At present, I am at project stage for a mural in a client’s dining room. I plan to do a “Grissalle” mural on one of the walls in anthracite tones depicting a fantasy view from Gibraltar which will include iconic features of the Rock.

On the surrounding walls I will paint trompe L’oeil paneling in the same tones.

This is scheduled to commence in March and should take me about two to three weeks on site.

What are your plans for the future?

Do you see an increasing clientele in Gibraltar and what interests you most about the place?

My biggest ambition is to work side by side with my clients, be they architects, designers

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEbrUARY 2013

Above: a section of Jessica’s mural in Sir Peter and Lady Virginia Bottomley’s country home, and Right: the mural in situ in the library

or anyone with a love for art.

I get great satisfaction trying to decipher people’s ideas and fulfilling their requirements... however big or small the scale and whatever the style.

How would you describe the typical client who commissions you and how do people get in touch?

We usually connect on some starting

I plan to do a “Grissalle” mural on one of the walls in anthracite tones depicting a fantasy view from Gibraltar which will include iconic features of the Rock

point, be it a painting in the showroom or a preconceived idea of the client. I love a new challenge!

From there, I can visit their home, if necessary, to get a feel for where the painting is to be hung and discuss colours and sizes.

Anyone may feel free to call me on 00 34 659117494 or visit my website www. jessicadarch.co.

I am also available for free consultation every Saturday from 10am to 4pm at the Patricia Darch Interiors showroom in Ocean Village. n

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profile

sporting hero

Moira Gomez

Netball for Life

words | Jolene Gomez

Growing up with five older brothers and a younger sister, Moira Gomez learned life and coaching skills from a very young age. “I had a happy childhood, and was very lucky to be involved in the world of sport — playing basketball, volleyball and of course, netball,” Moira says smiling.

Gibraltar Netball’s Moira Gomez

Moira explains “My mother has inspired me throughout my life.

She became a young widow who raised seven of us on her own.

Money was tight back then, and I wanted to do something that I would enjoy and could do for free, so I got involved in sport. With a closed frontier, I am grateful to all those volunteers who allowed me to experience different sporting opportunities in Gibraltar.”

Under the leadership of Antonio Avellano, who took volleyball to high levels in Gibraltar, Moira was able to learn about leadership.

“He still calls me his disciple,” she laughs. Amelia Segui taught her how to direct a court in basketball, and translate instructions to players from the sidelines. “I wanted to learn her skills in reading the game,” she says, “and was inspired by her to learn to watch a different game to that of the average spectator.”

Moira was first introduced to the game of netball by Miss Carol Kania, as a young pupil at St Anne’s School. Her fondest memory still remains as her first participation in

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the inter-school netball tournament, which to her was like playing in the World Championships.

Not long after, netball became dormant in Gibraltar for about 20 years with just a small Services league being played.

As an adult, Moira became involved with netball again when she took a career break to raise her family. Jackie Canessa was busy organising the new Gibraltar Netball Association, and Moira decided to help her out. When Jackie stepped down a few months later, Moira decided to go for the presidency and has not looked back since.

“I was thrown in at the deep end with regards to committee structure, but took it on myself to learn, and with the help and advice of Joe Hernandez with regards to constitutional matters, admin-

“

istration, and protocol in sport, the association moved forward.

He has always encouraged us,” she adds.

The first netball league started in 1990 with eight teams made up mainly of netball enthusiasts and housewives. “In 1994 when I took over, no one gave tuppence for us. To most people, netball was a boring sport that would not stand a chance against other bigger and established sports in Gibraltar. I was determined to prove everybody wrong,” she explains.

For Moira, leading the Gibraltar Netball Association, has been a busy and exciting journey.

“I was very young when Gibraltar competed internationally, and was completely overwhelmed by the experience. When we first travelled to Newcastle, for

the Commonwealth Games Classification Tournament, we didn’t stand a chance as the standard was extremely high. To motivate the players we would count how many times we fed the ball in to the opponents circle to our shooters, as the opportunity to score a goal became Moira receiving the Netball Europe Service Award

To most people, netball was a boring sport that would not get anywhere in Gibraltar. I was determined to prove everybody wrong

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

sporting very rare. At the time I went as a player and GNA representative. It was at Newcastle, where I had to demonstrate Gibraltar was ready to become a full member of the Federation of European Associations.

It was so scary and so rewarding to have been successful. That was step one,” she says.

“I was hungry to improve our knowledge of the game and, like a sponge, absorbed all aspects of the game from filming warm-ups, making notes during games to meeting coaches to ask questions.

Then trying to apply everything we had learned to our netball game in Gibraltar. It took us some time to get Netball Europe to come to Gibraltar and support us on how we could improve, and it was an even longer battle for Gibraltar Netball to gain the respect of bigger more established countries.”

2004 was an exciting year for Moira, as Gibraltar attended the U17s’ and U19s’ Championships in Bath. The players had the pleasure of attending workshops with Australian Coach Lyn Gunson, and saw a different way to apply their lack of height as a positive thing on court, changing their whole outlook and game play by using speed over height and more flat passes.

“On the last day of the tournament, I was given the format of the closing ceremony, and was told Gibraltar would be leading the parade. I knew Netball Europe was implying we would come last and would lose all our matches which annoyed me. So I confronted the organisers about it, and transmitted my frustration to my team, who obtained extra motivation and didn’t give up hope until the

Fun times

last whistle.

“We beat Ireland 21-15, and although I am not an emotional person, I cried. We had struggled to feed the ball into our circle, and now we had won our first game.

The girls had adapted the newly learned skills at the workshops and applied it to that game marvellously.

“At the closing ceremony, the Gibraltar team marched on second, as our win made organisers amend the order. I knew it was the beginning of the future of netball for Gibraltar — a future that now needed a business approach,” she smiles.

In 2009, Gibraltar won silver at the U17s’ tournament held in Gi-

“

profile

It’s all about the team and not about individual players, so you have to keep the team gelled together and encourage team spirit

braltar, and a year later we won our first gold in Belfast. Last year, the International Ranking Competition was also organised in Gibraltar. The splendid work by the committee, players, coaches, umpires, members and bench officials made the event a tremendous success.

Logistically this event was very daunting, as an error in match statistics or not meeting the requirements set by the Interna-

”

tional Federation would declare the competition invalid and countries would not receive a World Ranking, but again Gibraltar rose to the occasion.

“I told the committee, if we overcome this, we are ready for a World Championships, which is one of my future aspirations,” Moira says.

“Gibraltar is currently 30th in the world, and I am so privileged to be leading such a hard working, active

Gibraltar Team

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEbrUARY 2013

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profile

sporting

and no-nonsense committee of brave women who represent different areas of the local community.

“Each member leads a different section, such as national squads, youth development, umpiring, coaching and competitions. There are currently four senior divisions, 32 senior teams (two from Marbella) and 16 junior teams. Thanks to Liz Broomhead from Netball Europe, we are working towards a complete structure within GNA, and are already seeing its rewards.”

In 2010, Moira received the Netball Europe Service Award, for her contribution to helping introduce the 2nd Division at European competitions and her success in the development of netball in Gibraltar.

When there was only one division, it was very difficult to motivate up-and-coming countries who didn’t stand a chance against more experienced teams (England is ranked third in the world). By introducing a 2nd Division, membership increased at European level.

There was also the introduction of a buddy system, where emerging countries are helped by other countries from mentoring to workshops to administration.

“All those years where we were the newbies was a positive experience, as we are now in a position to help countries such as Switzerland and Israel. They are now in our shoes and I fight for them too,” she explains.

In 2011, Moira received the Gibraltar Award (Governor’s Certificate and Badge of Honour) for services to netball and youth. As the then PA to the Commander British Forces, to receive a phone call from the Governor ’s office was routine, but to be called by the Governor himself, was a total shock for Moira.

“It was a total surprise for me, as I didn’t expect such a reward. It meant somebody had been watching my work. I have always wanted to change the life of women in Gibraltar especially through netball — 20 years ago Gibraltar was very different and netball has provided

Fun during training

72

Receiving the Gibraltar Award

“

I have always wanted to change the life of women in Gibraltar especially through netball— 20 years ago Gibraltar was very different and netball has provided me the tools and opportunities to do this me the tools and opportunities to do this. The honour of being awarded the Gibraltar Award is not only my own, but of my committee.

“My biggest achievement is the establishing of netball in schools.

We are now recognised as a serious sport in Gibraltar which is here to stay for the future. Netball is the biggest sport in Westside, and we have managed to introduce a Young

Umpire Award through the school curriculum, as well as being part of GSCE, AS Level examinations, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme,” she says.

Moira is extremely dedicated to her committee and players, and is much loved within the sporting community.

“When leading a team, you become their best friend, worst enemy, psychologist, social worker and mentor,” she explains. “You help them develop life skills, discipline, and believe in them, so that they believe in themselves. In netball, it’s all about the team and not about individual players, so you have to keep the team gelled together and encourage team spirit by using each others strengths.

“My biggest fear is netball coming to an end should I ever leave.

That is why the Association is working so hard to educate people properly in netball skills, coaching, investing in our officials and play-

”

ers to get them qualified within netball. I would like to see umpires and coaches work internationally and aspire to one day having our teams promoted to the First Division — a recipe which will no doubt keep netball at the top of local sport for many years to come.

“All of this would never have been achieved without those individuals who have accompanied me during this journey. A very special thank you to my husband, who is my biggest supporter, my sons who encourage and keep me motivated, as well as my committee and netball family,” she says smiling.

Netball — from humble beginnings to becoming the leading ladies sport in Gibraltar affiliated to Netball Europe, and International Federation of Netball Associations. n If you would like to get involved email Moira on moira@gibraltarnetball.com, or visit www.gibraltarnetball.com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

motoring

MarocAtlas Gibraltar 4x4 Challenge

file

turn the money raised was donated towards the school.

MarocAtlas Gibraltar would like to thank the local community for their unending generosity in providing our club with such an enormous amount of clothes and toys to take with them.

The rally took the participants through the villages of Midelt, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Agadir and Essaouira. They encountered all

They encountered all kinds of situations through rough terrain, snow (-10 degrees), rain and desert kinds of situations through rough terrain, snow (-10 degrees), rain and desert.

They gained 8th place in the Final Countdown, and helped the MarocAtlasGib4x4 Club is back after a great experience with the Maroc children of Hassi El Begga with needed supplies. This in itself Challenge rally. This rally sees over 70 vehicles participating in 50 teams, much is a magnificent achievement and and forms part of a Solidarity Project called Hassi El Begga. makes the team proud of having taken part. n Hassi El Begga is a remote village where participants were to provide To gain further donations, the or- For further information please visit in the Sahara, Merzouga region. school materials and other essential ganisation asked the participants www. http://marocatlasgib4x4.ning.

This was the rally’s main stop goods for the children of that area. to purchase Event T-shirts, and in com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEbrUARY 2013

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photo finish

Get involved If you have a fabulous photo

taken in Gibraltar and you’d like to see it in print, send it to The Gibraltar Magazine — email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi.

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

image of the month

This month we selected this beautiful image of Gibraltar from Santa Margarita by Eva Stachova. We loved the tranquillity of the shot and the way the surf curves to meet Gibraltar on the horizon. Beautiful Eva!

Afghanistan Operational Service Medals His Excellency the Governor, Sir Adrian Johns, presented Afghanistan Operational Service Medals to eight members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment in January. To qualify for the award of the medal with clasp, personnel must have served in Afghanistan for 30 days continuously. The recipients were CSgt Patrick Canepa, Corporal Chris Milliken, Private Jackson Brown, Private Liam Downs, Pte Callum Gregory, Pte Jayson Lippingwell, Pte Bradley Smith and Pte Brett Spencer.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

What’s On

February

Saturday 9th February Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Tour. Meet at George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am. No fee but donations welcome. For further information Tel: 200 72639 Email: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi Monday 11th February Art Competition for Young Artists at John Mackintosh Hall Galleries. For further information contact Ministry of Culture Tel: 200 48063 Email: minculture@gibtelecom.net Tuesday 12th to Saturday 23rd February Art Exhibition (second solo) by Gail FranicsTiron at Casemates Square. Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Saturdays 10am to 2pm Entrance Free Thursday 14th February Valentine’s Day - for all those hopeful romantics out there.

Peo p le&Pets In our new series we interview people and their pets for your pleasure....

Louise, Freddy & Harry Saturday 16th February Cake sale in aid of the Vine Trust Gibraltar from 10.30am - 1pm at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Money raised from this event will go directly to fund a work party of volunteers who are travelling from Gibraltar to Tanzania this autumn. The volunteers will be offering practical help to orphaned children at Moshi, in northern Tanzania, with the aim of providing them with a safe place to live, food, clothes, an education and above all a hope for the future.

Among the duties carried out by the work party will be brick making, brick laying and general labouring. For further information, contact Jane Jacobson on 20041799.

Saturday 23rd February St Andrew’s Craft & Collectors Fair from 10am to 2pm. Entrance £1. Gifts and cards for every occasion. Hand-crafted, vintage and antique items. Coins, books, stamps, glassware, soldiers, silverware, jewellery, toys and dolls house items etc. Sample a choice of home-made sandwiches and cakes in the lounge. Stalls available at £10 to include table and cloth. For more information call 54023166.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Louise: Domestic Goddess Freddy: Yorkiehuahua Harry: Miniature Smooth-haired Dachshund Age Louise: 35 Freddy: Wise beyond my 2 years Harry: 18 months Likes Louise: Cooking, shopping, lots of nice wine, socialising with friends Freddy: Having a massage from anyone who will give one to me Harry: Getting into trouble and annoying my brother & sisters Hates Louise: Taking part in any type of sporting activity Freddy: Getting told off Harry: Going out for walks without my brother & sisters Sociability Louise: Very social Freddy: I love everyone - dogs, humans, EVERYONE Harry: I’m scared of strangers or strange places

Best Trick Louise: Making wine disappear Freddy: I can stand on one leg Harry: I can sing along to my favourite adverts Favourite food Louise: Italian Freddy: Meat - I’m a carnivore!

Harry: Not fussy! I’ll eat it even if it isn’t food Interesting Facts Louise: I took Robbie Williams nightclubbing in Newcastle Freddy: I am a rescue dog, a real rags to riches story Harry: I came from Harrods and was once called Slinky Usefulness Louise: I am a good organiser Freddy: I am not a useful dog, but I am extremely decorative Harry: I protect my mum from strangers Greatest Achievement Louise: Each wedding anniversary I get to!

Freddy: Ending up in a loving home with lots of other dogs Harry: Getting out of Harrods as I was the last puppy left If you weren’t a dog/human you’d be?

Louise: A very pampered pooch!

Freddy: Male model Harry: Entertainer

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photo call

events

Gibtelecom Sponsors Media Award Gibtelecom was one of the main sponsors at the Foreign Press Association (FPA) Media Awards in January.

Gibtelecom sponsored the News Story of the Year Print and Web Award which was won

by Malcolm Moore of the Daily Telegraph.

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, The Hon Fabian Picardo, presented the award on behalf of the company.

The FPA Media Awards is a well-established event in the international media calendar. The awards are dedicated to excellence in journalism and provide an opportunity for British journalists to be recognised by their international peers.

Commenting on the event Tim Bristow, Gibtelecom’s CEO, said that the company was “proud to be associated with such a prestigious organisation as the UK Foreign Press Association. This high profile event helps

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, presents the Foreign Press Association ‘Print and News’ award to Malcolm Moore of the Daily Telegraph.

Gibtelecom took up associate membership of the FPA in 2012, as part of its global business strategy establish Gibtelecom, and indeed Gibraltar’s presence, not only within the capital but also internationally.”

Gibtelecom took up associate membership of the FPA in 2012, as part of its global business

strategy. The FPA is an organisation which accredits some 1,500 foreign correspondents in the UK every year, representing all media from news agencies to print, broadcast and internet. n

Valentine’s 2013 - Starters Thursday 14th February

Cream of Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup with crusty bread Chef’s Homemade Chicken Liver Parfait, red onion marmalade, hot buttered toast Pan-sautéed Asparagus with crispy Serrano ham sprinkles Scottish Smoked Salmon, lemon and herb mayonnaise, wholemeal bread Creamed Garlic Mushrooms topped with gratinated Cheddar cheese Atlantic Prawn Cocktail, Marie Rose sauce, crispy salad leaves

Waterfront Raises funds for Help for Heroes The Christmas Market organised by the Waterfront restaurant raised a grand total of £1538.00 for the Help for Heroes charity.

Manager of the Waterfront, Andrew Kimberley, gave special thanks to the local business owners who supported the event by donating prizes for the charity raffle. n

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Main Dishes Risotto of Wild Mushrooms, cannelini beans and Parmesan shavings Pan-seared Sirloin Steak, sauté potatoes, black peppercorn sauce Grilled Salmon, new potatoes, honey-parsley glaze Grilled Duck Breast with orange sauce, Lyonnaise potatoes Pan-fried Sea Bass Fillet on a bed of prawn and basil pasta Creamy Chicken Korma, pilau rice, poppadums Desserts Profiteroles with cream and chocolate sauce Neapolitan Ice Cream Sundae Homemade Apple Pie with custard Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake with cream £ 28.50 per person + 10% service charge The Waterfront, Queensway Quay Marina. Tel: 200 45666

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

events photo call

Parties and Croissants Thanks to Annette of Cafe Rojo on Irish Town for sending in these great pics of groups enjoying celebratory dinners last month. It looks like everyone had a fabulous time.

Annette also wanted us to let you know that her morning coffees and giant croissants are delicious in the mornings from 10am.

Her coffee is super smooth Illy and she serves toast (including granary) and lots of other goodies. Pop in to say hello!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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LoveFood All your preparations are ready to woo your lover on V-Day, you’ve invited them for a fabulous meal and you want to make sure the evening ends in success. What are the best foods to serve to get the object of your desire in the mood for love? Read on and find out the best aphrodisiacs to serve to send Cupid’s arrows flying.

Aperitif: Oysters and Champagne It just has to be oysters and Champagne to get things going. We all know these slippery delights are suppose to entice desire, but check first that your date isn’t one of the millions whose stomachs turn at the sight them. So what is it that gives oysters their aphrodisiac appeal?

Well, they have a high zinc content, which increases libido.

Raw oysters are always best served with a delicious glass of chilled Champagne — for this special occasion try pink Champagne to make your guest feel especially pampered. ❤

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before you know it.

Figs (slice these on top of the Ajo Blanco instead of the traditional grapes) — this sexy fruit has long been thought of as an arousing stimulant, and is steeped in loving history. The ancient Greeks consid-

ered them sacred and associated them with love and fertility. ❤ Pasta with Pesto & Asparagus served with an Avocado Salad and Garlic Bread Basil has a fantastic aroma that is

Starter: Ajo Blanco (chilled Garlic & Almond Soup) topped with fresh figs Almonds — according to the ancient poets even the aroma of almond is supposed to arouse passion in females. Less romantically, scientists say almonds provide high doses of vitamin E, and magnesium.

Garlic — yes, we know it is smelly, but you will both be indulging so use liberally in the starter and the main course! Garlic is crammed full of allicin, an ingredient which increases blood flow. You may find yourself feeling hot and flustered

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

food appetite said to have an aphrodisiac effect; it is also very stimulating. We are all familiar with basil in pesto on pasta, but have you ever though this might be the reason Italians are so famously erm... romantic! And plenty of carbs in the pasta for an energy boost.

Asparagus — forget what you’ve heard about asparagus from Sex in the City and look at this delicious vegetable anew. English herbalist from the 17th century, Nicholas Culpepper, wrote that asparagus “stirs up lust in man and woman.”

It appears they knew their stuff in the 1600s as asparagus is a great source of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin and folic acid. Folic acid is said to boost histamine production necessary for the ability to reach orgasm in both sexes.

Avocados — just look at them! In fact, Catholic priests in Spain found this fruit so obscenely sexual that they banned it. The Aztecs called the avocado ahuacuatl, or “testicle tree.” In reality, avocado is rich in folic acid, vitamin B6 and potassium. So it’s a definite yes, yes, in the love department. ❤

form the shape, this fruit is loaded with potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. It also contains chelating minerals and a bromeliad enzyme, said to enhance the male libido.

Chocolate & Banana Crepes What love feast would be comThe obvious fruit to follow avo- plete without chocolate? The cado is banana, but quite apart true winner in chart of natural

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Chocolate and banana crepe with strawberries cut lengthways to look like hearts

aphrodisiacs, chocolate contains compounds including anandamide, the psyochoactive “feel-good chemical”, and PEA (phenylethylamine), the “love chemical,” which releases dopamine in the pleasure centres of the brain. PEA is said to induce feelings of excitement, attraction

and euphoria — just what you want on February 14th! And as an added bonus, cacao also contains tryptophan, a key component of the neurotransmitter serotonin known to promote a sense of well-being and relaxation. Ahhhhh sweet chocolate bliss. ❤

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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

Overlooking the Mediterranean from Catalan Bay, Nunos’ Spanish chef with Three Star Michellin experience offers a variety of Italian cuisine. The restaurant can be found at the reception level of the hotel, where a quick peak at the menu reveals the chef’s celebrated Salmorejo is on the menu, as are his baby squid burgers (Insalata di Calamari). From the main dishes you can choose from a variety of fresh fish and meat dishes. Or you could go for the house speciality of fresh, home-made pasta where you can choose from a wide range of options.

Open: Mon-Sat 7.30pm-10.30pm (lunchtimes for group bookings).

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

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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 • FEBRUARY 2013

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

Bean & Gone

Friendly little café with an extensive menu from oven-baked jackets and baguettes, to home-made pasta and burgers. Great selection of low-carb / Weight Watchers choices, plus a tempting cakes and snacks. Relaxed, cosy atmosphere. Ingredients local and organic where possible, desserts made with soya (diary-free). Lots veggie options.

Deliveries (minimum order £20).

Open: Mon - Fri 8.30am - 4pm Bean & Gone Café 20 Engineers Lane Tel: 200 65334 Visit: www.BeanandGoneCafe.com

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

Sain’t Café Bar

Bright and attractive café bar serving hot/cold drinks, breakfasts, lunches, homemade desserts and tapas with wine.

Well presented food includes tuna ciabatta, steak & onion baguette, club sandwich, smoked salmon bagel and vegetarian choices (served with parsnip crisps). Delicious salads such as Niçoise, Caesar, caprese and couscous. No smoking inside. Patio.

Open: Mon-Fri 7.30am-7.30pm. Afternoon tea 4-6, happy hours 4-6.

Sain’t Café Bar Grand Ocean Plaza, Ocean Village Tel: 20065758

Smith’s Fish & Chips Traditional well-established British fish and chip shop, located on Main Street opposite the Convent, with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. The menu includes old favourites cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers.

Open: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri. Breakfast served from 8am.

Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254

Solo Express

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, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or take away. Menu of the day only £6. Open: early to late.

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.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014

Picadilly Gardens Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758

Solo Express Grnd Flr, ICC, Casemates & Eurotowers

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informal food

Amin’s Office

food & drink

directory The Tasty Bite Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of! 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.

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town. Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321

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

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

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e to wher drink & eat the on k Roc

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. Quiz night on Tuesdays, get there early as it is definitely the place to be on a normally quiet Gibraltar Tuesday.

Cannon Bar 27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288

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

Get Listed!

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

Get your business listed here

CALL 200 77748 for details 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

Jury’s Café-Wine Bar

Star Bar

Jury’s Café & Wine Bar 275 Main Street. Tel: 200 67898

Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Visit: www.starbargibraltar.com

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.

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

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.

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 • FEBRUARY 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

SMITH’S

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

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

restaurant bar guide &

295 MAIN ST Tel: 200 74254

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 GIBRALTARMAGAZINE MAGAZINE••FEBRUARY FEBRUARY2013 2013 GIBRALTAR

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In vino veritas

words | Peter Rodney (there, got it right!)

My long-held suspicions are confirmed. A recent study (by ‘French Wines with Style’) of 2,000 wine drinkers revealed that red wine drinkers are intelligent; white wine drinkers like holidays; and rosé drinkers spend their time on Facebook. There are even sub-divisions. Burgundy drinkers understand Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus; claret drinkers not only understand it but also have read it in the original German. Rioja drinkers prefer the Tractatus to be in small, bite-size portions which can be shared among friends. White wine drinkers like holidays and think they may once have visited Wittgenstein on a visit to Germany. Rosé drinkers have vaguely heard of someone whose name ends in ‘stein’ — wasn’t it a cartoon strip?

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The ‘study’ is of course fairly meaningless and probably designed to produce the results that were found. If the questions are phrased: ‘As a drinker of red wine, do you agree that you are quite a clever person?’, and ‘As a drinker of rosé, do you use Facebook?’ then the answers will not be altogether surprising. Research carried out into the importance of the question asked showed that the same group of people were both 80% in favour of capital punishment and 80% against it. It all depended on which

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

wine emotional response the question triggered.

Even so, it is jolly to have prejudices justified. As a long-standing claret drinker (and, indeed, German speaker), I also read regularly that red wine is good for you. This seems to be medically proven by some doctors. In the same way as global warming is emphatically denied by some experts and embraced by others, some medical experts insist that any alcohol will cause irreparable damage; others sing its praises (in moderation, of course).

In either case I am not quite sure whom to believe but, in common with most in the Western world, I will continue to enjoy my wine and use my car – although not at the same time. In this way I am either contributing to my and the whole world’s demise or simply enjoying myself and doing no harm.

However, there is no doubt whatsoever that over-indulgence in wine does do harm. As I opened the Gibraltar Magazine last month and turned immediately to the Wine Column (as, naturally, most readers do), I assumed I had been over-indulging. I could not believe my eyes. This must be a bad dream.

How much did I have last night?

This reaction was caused because the column appeared to have been written by Alan Gravett. It turned out that Alan felt the same way: he was concerned about the damage to his reputation which would be caused by having his name appearing as writer of a load of tripe.

Proceedings were immediately instituted. We have our suspicions as to how ‘er upstairs (as the esteemed editor of this magazine is known to me alone) allowed this mistake to occur. But part of the settlement we have reached with her is that its details must remain confidential. I merely refer you back to the first sentence of this paragraph.

Leaving these unfortunate events to one side, we now face the wasteland of February: after the festivities there is no money left, the weather is not guaranteed and the nights are still long. But there is comfort to be found. Tony at My Wines is offering considerable discounts on — I think — all his stock until Valentine’s Day on 14th February.

He recently persuaded me to try a Grés de Montpellier made by

Jean-Claude Mas in the Hérault. At £12.54 (including the 1p discount he generously offered at the time; there should be a greater discount now) this was not at the cheaper end but was worth every penny — once that 1p discount was given. The label drones on about how it is a fusion of the old world and the new and how Jean-Claude has devoted himself to the best methods of everything blah, blah. But it reveals that it is a blend of the Mourveche grape.

This grape is relatively new to me as standing or being mentioned on its own; most clarets will ignore it as an upstart with no breeding. But it gives this wine real silk. It is not a claret and probably doesn’t have much to do with German philosophy but it is good and refreshingly different.

The Arrogant Frog range at My Wines continues to please at reasonable prices. Meanwhile Morrison’s continue to offer all sorts of apparently reduced prices on all sorts of wines. There is such a range that it is impossible to keep tabs on them all. But every now and then they come up with an unmissable one: Calvet Prestige Bordeaux at under £5 when it normally comes in at about £7.50. This is not a Grand Cru and does not pretend to be. It is from a respectable house which chooses its blends with care and skill; the improvement from the ‘ordinary’ own label claret is immediately noticeable and well worth the extra £1 or so. Otherwise one just needs to trust to luck when choosing from Morrison’s special offers. ‘£3 off’, the sticker on the shelf screams at you, so you buy it at, say £6.00. Even another £3 off would not make it worthwhile.

Avoid, therefore, the Malbec currently on offer.

As always, the surroundings help to make the wine taste good.

A Swiss Fendant tastes marvellous at the top of a Swiss mountain with the prospect of a black run before you (actually, anything to help at such a point will taste good); it tastes foul on a winter night in Gibraltar. So turn your sitting room into an academic’s study, surround yourself with books of philosophy and Latin verse, and any red wine, even the Malbec, will be okay (but, however hard you try, the rosé won’t). n

column

Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

Grand Casemates Square Tel: 200

44449 for reservations

ctor X-Fa wn Sho TV on Live

This grape is relatively new to me as standing or being mentioned on its own; most clarets will ignore it as an upstart with no breeding.

But it gives this wine real silk

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

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It’s February and a large proportion of you are by now struggling to maintain an exercise regime and a promise to be nicer to people, while refraining from smoking, drinking and eating pretty much anything you enjoy... The good news is that February is the month of llluuurv and a perfect excuse to indulge in chocolates, pink champagne and a little bit of what you fancy.

Yes, it’s St Valentine’s Day this month so whatever your status, get a little bit of that loving feeling! We’ve created a menu idea for you on page 78-79 but if you don’t fancy eating in check out the Waterfront’s great menu on page 76. And, just in case you haven’t found that special someone see our 20 Ways to Meet Your Lover feature on page 38.

Let the love keep growing!

But before all that, the Gibraltar Women’s Association invites women to the Piazza for their Meet and Greet, where they will be welcoming current and past members as well as introducing themselves to new ones — Saturday 2nd February, from 11am – 1pm.

If you are more into cars, pop along to the Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association’s classic vehicle display at Casemates on Sunday 3rd February from 10am - 2pm.

The New Year’s diet really will fly out the window on Saturday 16th February when the Vine Trust will be having a cake sale at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity from 10.30am - 1pm. Great place to get some homemade goodies and benefit a worthy cause at the same time.

Many happy returns this month to one of our favourite writers and friend, Reg Reynolds, who celebrates his birthday on the first day of the month. The lovely Carmen Gomez and GNDO President Seamus

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2013

Byrne share a birthday on the 6th. Ruth of Verdi Verdi will look not a day older on Valentine’s Day (how romantic!), and Rob Parker of Beacon Information Systems celebrates the day after. Our very own Chief Minister Fabian Picardo adds another notch to his belt on 18th February. TV and radio personality Ben Lynch will be celebrating on the 20th, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award’s Michael Pizzarello gets a year older on 21st February. As it’s not a Leap Year this year, youth worker Charlene Figueras celebrates on 28th February, even though she was born on 29th. Congratulations to them all and to everyone else who has a special day this month.

For those who are expecting a birth over the coming months, take a look at page 50 where you will find details of a great new charity offering support through pregnancy and early parenthood. Everyone needs a little extra help sometimes, and especially through such a life altering event so this charity is a really great idea.

Don’t forget to check out the great Valentine’s gifts at My Wines, Chatham Counterguard (see page 41) — great for him or her!

Well that’s it until March when Spring will be springing and we will be edging closer to those heady summer days. Until then, cheers!

Our photos this month are from the Three King’s Cavalcade on 5th January. It really was a spectacular event this time and the floats were fantastic. Well done to all involved!

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clubs&activities Arts & Crafts The Arts Centre, Prince Edward’s Rd. Art classes for children (5-6pm Mon, 5-6.30pm Tues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm9pm). Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am - 2pm.

Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer) -6pm (winter), Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

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 held 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 examinations taken. Ample competing opportunities aboard IDF European & World Championships. Contact 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

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Don’t be bored... do something fun! welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The 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 available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road. 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 of all ages. Chearleading and street cheer/hip hop classes at Victoria Stadium.

Recreational and 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 organising 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.

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 more information contact Sally Tel: 200 74661.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training sessions for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans.

Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April. Tel: James 200 72185 Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/ senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: RGYC 200 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participating. Tel: Mario 200 72622 or Charlie 200 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973);

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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. Own Snooker facilities at Jumpers Bastion with three tables. Professional coaching for Juniors/Seniors. Organised leagues/tournaments and participation in accredited International Competitions. Contact 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 E-mail: 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 • FEBRUARY 2013

events

leisure

Good Luck to Gibraltar’s Taekwondo Team Good luck to the team from the Gibraltar Taekwondo Association, which will be representing Gibraltar, at the British Taekwondo National Poomsae (Patterns) Championships, held at the Lee Westwood Sports Centre, Nottingham, UK on Saturday 9th February 2013.

This will be a great experience for our competitors, as they will have the opportunity to compete alongside World, European and Commonwealth medalists. The standard at the event is expected to be very high.

The Gibraltar team members will compete in the following categories: Individual Under 17 - Megan Ruiz; Individual Under 29 - Dana Garcia, Lorena Garcia, Alexandra Lara; Teams - 1st Team - Dana Garcia, Lorena Garcia, Alexandra Lara The team will be accompanied to the championships by Masters Ernest and Edward Garcia, who having been busy coaching them for the event.

Special thanks went to the Government of Gibraltar, the Gibraltar Sports & Leisure Authority and the Gibraltar Taekwondo Association for their financial support. n

Masters Ernest and Edward Garcia with team members Megan Ruiz, Dana Garcia, Lorena Garcia and Alexandra Lara

Taekwondo is a martial art originating in Korea. It combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport and exercise. In 1989, taekwondo was

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 • FEBRUARY 2013

the world’s most popular martial art in terms of number of practitioners. Anyone interested in joining the sport should visit www.facebook.

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).

com/BritishTaekwondoGibraltar or www.taekwondo.gi, send an email to tkdgarcia@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 200 44142 for further information.

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).

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information

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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

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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 • FEBRUARY 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

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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.

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