The Gibraltar Magazine May 2010

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

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ibraltar magazine the

May 2010 Vol. 15 No. 07 FREE

Stomping to Success The Treasure Trail

Our Model

Economy

Young Entrepreneurs

Gibraltar’s Spacecraft Controllers

Yalta’s Urban Legend

Guests to Impress?

and much more

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On the Trail of Treasure Gibraltar’s Spacecraft Controllers € Nolan Frendo: a voice above Yalta Pons: urban legend € Living the Life of Louis John Ochello: the White Bomber Miss Gibraltar - The Contestants Mind Your Language: interview in progress

business & finance 8 9 12 14 16 44

Business & Finance Guide All that glisters may not be gold Jonathan Garcia: law matters Neil Cotter: the route to treasury € Our Model Economy Young Entrepreneurs

leisure & lifestyle 22 26 36 40 54 56 65 69

Is More Education the Answer?

Teaching English in Chile € Nathan Conroy: stomping to success History in Pictures Classics on the Rock The Toubkal Challenge Bosom Buddies Go To The Movies What’s on this month

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

46 48 49 50 60 62 63

46-51

Wyse Hire: the right stuff Property Directory Managing Your Investment € Throw Caution to the Wind

health & medical

60-63

The Beach is Back Health & Fitness Guide New Face at Claudia’s

food & drink

75-85

77 The Gibraltar Glass 78 Guests to Impress?

80 Wine Column 81-84 Restaurant & Bar Guide 85 New Chef on the Solo Team dining guide • business & finance • sport & leisure • property • history • community

what’s inside?

property & interiors

gibraltar the

magazine May 2010 Vol. 15 No. 07 FREE

Stomping to Success The Treasure Trail

Our Model

Economy

Young Entrepreneurs Gibraltar’s Spacecraft Controllers

Yalta’s Urban Legend

Guests to Impress? and much more

Cover: Gibraltar’s Lighthouse photo by Jim Crone

Vol. 15 No. 07 May 2010

history & heritage 34 58 74

Chivalrous Sir Archibald Old Enemy Passes Away Gib Conductor Verdi’s Pal

regulars 64 86

Puzzle Page Around Town

information 66-67 90

City Centre Map Gibraltar Information

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

finance

by Ian le Breton

All that glisters may very well not be gold Following my take on things philatelic last month, for this column I thought I would continue my look at alternative “asset classes” and consider precious metals. We have all read about the gold price in recent months and how it is at record levels. Why might this be and what about other metals? And is it really that easy to invest in the market?

First of all, let’s consider why the price of gold, and indeed other precious metals, has continued its upward surge in recent months.

The answer is all too obvious, particularly if you are a regular reader of this column!

As we all know, the global economic crisis means that interest rates are at rock bottom levels around the world. This is good news if you are borrowing — assuming you can find a bank that is lending. Anyone with bank deposits will know that the returns are miniscule.

This is unlikely to change anytime soon in most countries.

Generally, global stock markets have performed very well in the first quarter of 2010 — continuing the recovery seen throughout last year. But they are still fragile and liable to corrections depending on events as the long hoped for recovery remains vulnerable.

So gold has regained its historic place as a true “store of value”. It is a safe haven in the economic storm if you will. For comparison purposes, gold is normally quoted in US dollars. At the time of writing, the price is around US$1,100 per ounce — note that there is none of this politically correct grams and kilos stuff here! Remember though that if the currency you consider as yours — for most readers of this magazine, this will be pounds sterling or euro based I imagine — then the real value will also depend on the exchange rate against the US dollar.

What is true is that in US dollar terms (and in most major currencies in fact), gold has seen an upsurge of interest in recent years. Traditional

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

demand in South East Asia (particularly the Indian sub-continent) remains strong But what about other precious metals? Let’s begin by considering a definition. A precious metal must be considered “rare” and is a naturally occurring element of high economic value.

In fact throughout history, precious metals have been used in their own right as currency (think not only of gold bars but 30 pieces of silver etc).

Maybe there were lessons to be learnt for those in the euro zone trying to manage one single currency perhaps. These days, precious metals are more likely to be used either for investment purposes or, depending on the metal, for any number of industrial applications. That said, the main metals — gold, silver, platinum and palladium still use their own international “currency codes” — in the same way as the pound,

Although aluminium is one of the most common naturally occurring elements, due to the difficulty in extracting it, the value used to exceed that of gold, ounce for ounce

euro or dollar.

So what are these metals? Well of course the two most well known are what are called, for obvious reasons, the “coinage” metals — gold and silver. Both are still used for industrial purposes but today we think of them more as jewellery, pieces of art, a store of value and in some cases coinage, although today this is more limited. Both gold and silver coins are often seen as protection in times of high inflation or other economic instability. Naturally silver is popular due to its relative affordability compared to gold. Therefore silver coins are often valued for their “collectable” value rather than the amount of metal used (their “bullion” value).

The level of purity in metals such as gold is very important and although this varies it is not unusual to see levels of 99.9% purity. 100% purity is not possible but it gets pretty close — for example the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf reaches 99.999%.

Moving on, we encounter the “platinum” group. Included with platinum in this collection are palladium, iridium and several other “iums” that I won’t bore you with at this stage. The best known of these are of course platinum itself and its cousin palladium. Both are very widely traded as investments around the world with platinum being the most active.

Another example of a precious metal (but a rather more common example) is aluminium.

In days gone by, it was very difficult to extract from the ores in which the pure metal was to be found. Although aluminium is one of the most common naturally occurring elements, due to

business & finance the difficulty in extracting it, the value used to exceed that of gold, ounce for ounce. All this changed when a process known as Hall-Héroult was invented in the late nineteenth century. The metal was then far easier to extract and the price fell sharply, never to recover to its previous high levels as compared to gold and the others.

So if a metal is deemed to be precious if it is rare, then it follows that any major new find by a mining company could cause a reduction in value. Of more importance though is the age old concept of supply and demand. Put simply, in difficult economic times, a higher demand is seen for precious metals — and the price goes one way. Upwards. But as always, remember that prices can fall as well as rise, added to which we have the currency exchange dimension I referred to earlier.

So how are precious metals managed and traded? If being traded in bulk (that is on the commodity markets) then we refer to bullion.

Bullion can be produced as gold coins or ingots.

Remember the gold bars in The Italian Job? Who can forget them shifting at the end of the film as Michael Caine pleads with his fellow villains “Hang on, lads; I’ve got a great idea”. The main aspect that defines bullion is that it is valued by weight (its mass) and purity — not its face value.

Remember the Italian gold in the coach hanging over that cliff edge — now imagine how much it would have been worth at the equivalent of £750 an ounce!

Precious metals can be bought and held physically — that is to say, one can purchase jewellery, coins or even ingots although they are more difficult to find. In the case of the other metals, I can’t imagine that a lot of people would welcome a pile of platinum, palladium or aluminum in their homes. So how is it done?

As with almost anything else traded on world markets, trading in precious metals is very much an electronic exercise where the physical metal doesn’t actually get delivered. At best, and depending on how the purchase is made, an allocation can be made of some physical metal somewhere and certificates are issued showing true ownership — very much like shares. Of course these days trading will most likely be completed electronically so even the certificates are likely to become a thing of the past.

A growing trend is for investors to use vari-

ous types of fund when considering investing in precious metals. Richard Foster of Sovereign Asset Management tells me that a number of his clients use Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) for this purpose. This is a highly secure and generally more cost effective way of holding assets. And best of all, this can be managed right here in Gibraltar.

As always, I am not providing advice here in any way. As for many people my personal experience of precious metals is limited to gold and silver — and even then only very modest amounts! There is a whole world out there though for individuals seeking to diversify their investment portfolio; in these days of low interest rates and fragile stock markets, investing in metals might be worth considering. Take professional advice and do your own research for as they say, all that glisters is not gold! n

Precious metals can be bought and held physically — that is to say, one can purchase jewellery, coins or even ingots although they are more difficult to find

Calpe 2010 Conference Gibraltar 16th-19th September, 2010

Pleistocene Ecological Change & the Evolution of Bird Migration Systems Gibraltar has always been a focal point in bird migration studies and the work in Gorham’s Cave over the past 20 years has additionally revealed a wealth of fossil material of birds.

Over 145 bird species have been identified in the Gibraltar Pleistocene fossil record making the Rock Europe’s prime bird fossil site.

A 40,000 year old humerus (wing bone) of a Puffin, from Gorham’s Cave Gibraltar. Image © Gibraltar Museum

Reginald Moreau, the Oxford ornithologist how “in 1960... the revelation came to me of the who pioneered work on the role of the Pleisto- overwhelming importance of the Pleistocene cene in the evolution of bird migration, wrote and also of how far advances had been made

10

with the help of palynology and of the carbon 14 technique in defining the enormous ecological changes at all latitudes over the last few tens of thousands of years.”

Sometimes overshadowed by the studies on Neanderthals, Gibraltar’s prehistoric birds have much to offer in terms of our understanding of the changing ecology of many species that are still with us today.

2010 will be 50 years since Moreau’s insightful remarks and it is time to take stock of our state of knowledge. Gibraltar is the ideal location for a gathering of world experts in this field.

Invited speakers will be coming from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel and Switzerland. There will be a call for additional papers and it is hoped that there will be a wide local and international participation in this landmark conference.

A copy of the first draft conference programme is available at the Gibraltar Museum’s website: www.gibmuseum.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

isolas-stones-gibmag

17/3/10

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Page 1

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updates updates

Jonathan Garcia

Law Matters

by Brian McCann

“In recent years, Gibraltar’s attractive funds regime and the growing demand for investment related products has meant I’m now part of the firm’s Funds Team,” said Jonathan Garcia at Isolas’ offices in Portland House. At just 27 years of age, Jonathan is one of a growing group of young lawyers who is contributing to Gibraltar’s considerable pool of legal expertise, and ensuring a sound future for Gibraltar’s corporate and trust legislation.

Jonathan’s work in assisting the Gibraltar Bar Council to draft Gibraltar’s Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) legislation is of particular interest.

Introduced first in Britain in 2001, the original legislation meant it became possible for many businesspeople to achieve limited liability for themselves in running their firms, as enjoyed by shareholders of limited liability companies.

It is a halfway house between the unincorporated entity, such as a simple partnership or a sole trader, offering the owners a degree

12

of flexibility but without any need for a formal constitution. It is transparent for tax purposes but has no corporate taxation burden, and it also provides limited liability for the owners in the case of the LLP going into liquidation.

Against that, there is a certain degree of public accountability, such as the filing of annual accounts with Companies House.

In 2007, the Gibraltar Bar Council wanted to see LLPs made available here, too; but how did the then 24

The Gibraltar Experienced Investor Fund regime was launched here in 2005 and has seen many other jurisdictions follow suit with similarly styled products

year-old Jonathan, who had only been an associate at Isolas for about a year, come to be picked for the job of drafting the proposed legislation?

“Our senior partner, Peter Isola, served as committee member of the Bar Council, and during discussions with its then chairman, James Neish, the LLP was suggested,” Jonathan explains. “So Peter thought I was well placed to assist and put my name forward for the task — without even telling me!” he added with a laugh. “It has now been approved by Gibraltar’s par-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

updates liament but isn’t in force yet. It is classed as a framework legislation and there are still complementary pieces of legislation under preparation which will need to accompany the main act of parliament.”

Jonathan comes over as friendly, clear-thinking and good-humoured.

Gibraltar born, he enjoyed his time at Bayside School: “Well... let’s say I enjoyed it as much as any teenager enjoys school,” he clarified. “But of course going out and having a good time was often a rival to school work.” He considers that going to Kingston University, at Kingston-upon-Thames, was a turning point in his academic development. “I applied to do a law degree, but at that time I wasn’t sure if I wanted to become a lawyer.

It was more that it was an interesting subject, and also one that opens many doors in business,” he says.

After three years at Kingston, he took a year out and was granted a 12-month placement at Isolas (Isola & Isola as the firm was known at the time), then returned to London for a year at the Inns of Court School of Law in Chancery Lane.

“After law school, it was natural for me to want to re-join Isolas and I was very pleased when they quickly agreed,” he said. “I really had enjoyed my placement year here, and could see myself growing with the firm. In this sort of business, more than many, you really do need to be happy with the people you are working with.”

Jonathan’s studying days are not over yet however — he is taking the exams for the Institute of Chartered Secretaries (ICSA) and hopes to qualify in that field next spring.

Single (“I’m too young to marry at 27”) he finds that his absorption with his work leaves little time for other pursuits, the only exception being that he goes to the gym at Atlantic Suites three or four times a week. “It’s the only thing that keeps me away from the computer screen!” he says.

What finance-centre developments would he like to see adopted in Gibraltar?

“I am part of a team which aims to establish a local ICSA presence; but only since mid-April, so it is still very much early days, although there is a lot of discussion going on.

“Apart from that, I would like to see Gibraltar company law being

“

brought into line with the thinking in the rest of Europe and the USA, post-Enron; and I would like there to be a codification and expansion of existing statutory and common law directors’ duties.”

As part of the Isolas’ Funds Team (headed by senior partner Albert Isola, assisted by senior associate Joey Garcia and associates Christian Caetano and Jonathan himself), Jonathan explains that he is generally involved in the preparation of underlying formative documents and advising in relation to Protected Cell Company issues and general structuring arrangements relating to Experienced Investor Funds, Gibraltar’s premier vehicle for alternative investments.

“It covers a wide spectrum,” he said, “with our role being to advise on all aspects of a fund set up and to assist in taking any project from concept through to launch and beyond as well as being able to act as a central reference point for all counterparties to make the procedure seamless”.

The Gibraltar Experienced Investor Fund regime was launched here in 2005 and has seen many other jurisdictions follow suit with similarly styled products. The speed and ease of set-up along with the degree of flexibility that the EIF allows make it an excellent alternative hedge fund, private equity, and/or property vehicle.

Jonathan’s confidence in Gibraltar shone through in his final comments: “Gibraltar’s unique status within the European Union and its offshore capabilities make it an enticing location. Due to its status within the EU, Gibraltar is politically distinguished from Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Gibraltar’s inclusion on the so-called ‘White List’ of jurisdictions that have substantially implemented the internationally agreed tax standards set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), reinforces its reputation as an international business centre of quality. In addition, Gibraltar has a strong track record of complying with international standards of financial regulation, as assessed by the International Monetary Fund and other organisations.” n Jonathan can be contacted at Isolas on + 350 20078363, or emailed at jonathan.garcia@isolas.gi.

Due to its status within the EU, Gibraltar is politically distinguished from Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

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profile

Neil Cotter

The Route to Treasury

With the internet gaming companies fully settled in Gibraltar the companies, as well as employing many local folks, bring with them people with specialist knowledge who really embrace the lifestyle.

One such person is the newly promoted Treasurer of Partygaming, Neil Cotter. Sounds like a Chancellor only without the politics to muddy the water? I put a few questions to Neil to find out more about the role and the man, and to discover how he ended up in Gibraltar.

“The nature of my specialist role means Neil, who was born and raised in Liverpool, that 80% of treasury jobs are in London and still has many relatives and friends there and that is where I used to live. Travel took up a tries visit at least twice a year. “It’s great that huge part of my life so I was keen to improve my work/life balance,” Neil explains. “I had played some poker on line and had an interest in the internet as a business tool. A friend mentioned he had seen my current role advertised so it really was an excellent fit all round. My wife, Linda, was a little reticent to totally up sticks at first, and as you may recall it was very difficult to rent property in 2005. I stayed in Gibraltar on my own for the first 12 months but the following year we bought our home in Gibraltar and my wife and three children joined me in July 2006.”

“

Accounting generally records what has happened but ‘treasury’ is looking forward in time and helps manage financial risk and future funding

14

”

there is a direct flight to Manchester from Gibraltar,” he says. He was educated at the Liverpool Institute which he describes as a huge Victorian building in the shadow of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. “The school has a Beatles connection — Paul McCartney was an old boy (known affectionately as Big Mac),” he explains. The Liverpool Institute was converted into the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) in the 1980s and thrives today under the auspices of Sir Paul (www.lipa.ac.uk).

“Strangely enough, Paul McCartney revisited the school while I was in the 6th form — when he was in Wings — so we had a chance to meet him and he even played a concert for all the pupils. He gave some free concerts to help save

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

profile

interviewed by Frankie Hatton an historic theatre in Liverpool. Unfortunately I have now lost touch with him!”

For A levels Neil studied Mathematics, Statistics and Physics which in retrospect he admits is very specialised and says “It’s good that children are now encouraged to take a broader spectrum of examinations subjects at A level.” So was Neil the school nerd? “I couldn’t possibly answer that question,” he laughs, “but my eldest daughter, Elizabeth, certainly has a strong opinion on it!”

Neil went on to follow his brother into IT and attended Liverpool University to study Computer Science. “It seemed to be the next big thing and certainly that has been the case,” he explains. “There were no PCs back then of course, I just had a programmable calculator, so I had to wait until university before I actually used a computer!”

Neil became disillusioned with IT since the mathematical element was limited, so he switched to Statistics and Mathematics in the final year. “I studied it because I found it easier than History and English, of course! I feel privileged that I am one of small minority who actually use their degree subject as part of the job. What I find strange is that I eventually moved away from IT whilst many of my old school friends are now IT specialists of one sort or another.”

Neil started his career in London in the CEGB, right next to the Tate Modern in London.

“You may remember CEGB,” he says, “it was a huge public sector business that looked after the National Grid, the Power Stations and Electricity Distribution. I worked with physicists to computer model the thermo dynamic equations within a coal-fired power station which was located in Didcot. This was designed to optimise the efficiency and pollution of the power station within clearly defined safety parameters. In simple terms the physicists would, say, change the steam pressure inside a pipe and the computer model would be amended to simulate the impact of the change.

If the outcome was favourable then the change would be implemented on the station itself and then monitored to see that it aligned with the model expectations.”

This seems very different to his current role as Treasurer at Partygaming, a role which involves managing bank relationships, raising debt finance and managing foreign exchange and cash. “Sometimes it can be confused with

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

accounting but it is very much the opposite,” he explains. “Accounting generally records what has happened but ‘treasury’ is looking forward in time and helps manage financial risk and future funding. The job utilises my mathematical skills but it also involves relationships with banks and co-ordinating with the Board on how the business should manage its funding needs.

All-in-all it’s a good mix! The downside is that it is very specialised — I am probably the only corporate treasurer in Gibraltar.”

Neil also considers himself lucky enough to undertake other roles in the company. “Last year I managed the payment processing activities for Partygaming. At the moment I am working with our bookmakers on a computerised system for optimising our ‘live’ bookmaking. This is about setting betting odds during a football or tennis match. More bets are now placed during a sporting event rather than beforehand as peoples’ views as to who will win or lose change during the game itself and it is inherently more exciting,” he adds with enthusiasm. “Unfortunately the probabilities move rapidly too — particularly in tennis when each point can move the odds dramatically. To keep an edge for the business our computer models needs to be very sharp” While most treasurers start off qualifying as accountants then take further specialist examinations in treasury, Neil explains that it is not a career for the faint hearted. “Very few people plan to move into treasury. I would say nearly all treasurers fall into it perhaps after getting bored with mainstream accounting. If you

“

I would say nearly all treasurers fall into it perhaps after getting bored with mainstream accounting. If you are good with numbers, enjoy working with people and are a lateral thinker then treasury will suit you

”

are good with numbers, enjoy working with people and are a lateral thinker then treasury will suit you. For more junior roles in treasury, staff come from all walks of life — such as PAs, bank clerks and HR managers.”

Away from his treasury role Neil has always been interested in motorbikes and cars and has finally made the decision to buy a classic car in the next 12 months. “Unfortunately the choice is limited in Spain and Gibraltar,” he explains, “so I will probably import from California where the general condition of old cars tends to be much higher due to the atmospheric conditions.” Aside from that he says most of his spare time recently has been spent helping his children with their GCSEs. “I am amazed how much course work they now have to do.”

As a child Neil remembers holidaying mainly in North Wales around Snowdonia, often caravanning with uncles, aunts and cousins. “Last year I decided to take my family there for a week so they could ‘experience’ my childhood memories. As expected it rained every day even though it was July but they still enjoyed it having had enough of the hot weather here!

We never managed to climb Snowdon given the awful weather conditions.”

Neil plays a lot of golf and paddle tennis so appreciates the benefits of the local weather and courses across the border, and tries to do a couple of ski weekends each year.

“I do a lot of reading, generally biographies or documentary style histories – at the moment I am reading Richard Branson’s, Losing my Virginity. I am not one for fiction but like a good movie as long as the storyline is believable which they are usually not nowadays.

“Being from Liverpool I guess I should have followed the Blues or Reds. However, I seem to be one of the few Scousers who do not follow football to any great degree, although I am pleased that I finally took my son, James, to Goodison last Christmas.”

And for the future... what are Neil’s plans?

“I have resolved to become more involved with charitable activities which has been sadly lacking in my life. At the moment I am coordinating with my best man to do the Three Peaks as a fund raising activity. The question is, can I get fit enough?

“At some point I will write a short autobiography, no Tolstoy, merely for posterity and also in case I need to undertake similar interviews in the future.” n

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business update

Professor John Fletcher, Head of Bournemouth University Graduate School

Professor John Fletcher PhD

our model economy...

“Gibraltar has been blessed with some impressive people in the legal and business fields, which has given rise to sound and innovative government over the years and this, together with the ‘mortar’ provided by the passion and patriotism of the people of Gibraltar, has built a ‘fortress’ much stronger than any that could be built from stones and bricks.”

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Professor John Fletcher, a regular visitor to Gibraltar for the past 32 years, is involved in economic research to aid the Government. Although it may not sound the most glamorous career choice, John thinks there’s more to the subject than initially meets the eye. We asked him to tell us more about his work and his connection to the Rock, a place which has become quite personal to him over the last three decades.

“If somebody had suggested to me when I was at school, that I would spend a large part of my working life as an economist in education I would have doubted their sanity — so too would some of my teachers!” he remembers.

“As a child I used to take my toys apart to see how they worked — I could never simply accept that things work, I had to understand how they work — I am still the same with my computers. My first adult interest was engineering. Following on from my fascination of what makes things work, I transferred my interest to grown up toys such as my motorbikes and cars or any other object that came within arms reach.

“I started my working life as an apprentice engineer studying at college to gain qualifications and working for W & T Avery the weighing machine company. I left that career path to join the police force, which I blame on watching too many Dixon of Dock Green programmes (you have to be a certain age to remember that series) and once in the Police Force I found life was not quite as it had seemed.”

Two years later John returned to engineering and ended up working in Britain’s ailing motor industry (Triumph Motor Cars). “This was a period of acute labour turmoil when strikes were fashionable and destructive and soon I felt that I had to abandon ship and look for a new direction or be driven insane,” John explains.

“I literally chose the subject of economics out of a hat and then chose to study my degree in economics at UCNW Bangor, because it was the place where I could afford to bring up a family whilst living on a student grant plus whatever else I could earn during holidays.

Economics turned out to be an excellent choice because I fell in love with the subject, it fitted me so easily and it turned out there are many synergies between engineering and economics particularly if you are a model builder.

“I found the subject absorbing and performed well throughout my undergraduate days, so much so that I was asked to stay on after graduation to undertake a project on behalf of the British Library to examine the optimal volume of book deposits required to make it efficient to move to an automated system of book deposits and retrievals.” During that time he studied for his Masters degree and his PhD (on the economic relationship between central and local governments in the UK).

“To this day I am totally absorbed and fascinated by building economic models that explain and predict the effects of changes on income, employment and government revenue,” he says. “My fascination is still the same as it was when I was a boy, although it is now understanding how economies work.” It is a fascination that has taken him around the world and given him the opportunity to discuss matters with ministers, chief ministers, presidents and even kings.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

economy “I have been able to see places most people have never heard of and for that I am really grateful — although I am a hopeless tourist, I find it hard to switch off and tend to work wherever and whenever,” he adds.

“Economists come in all shapes and sizes,” John continued. “There are micro-economists who specialise in the behaviour of businesses, markets and consumers, then there are macroeconomists (the group in which I would place myself) who look at the bigger picture, exploring how economies work, how sectors interact with each other, the impacts of external changes etc. Then you have all sorts of specialist sub-branches including international trade specialists, financial economists, health economics and so the list goes on. Economics is now an established subject and carries with it some respect within the world of academia — although it may have become a little tarnished of late by the global economic recession!”

John’s passion for his subject is clear, “To me economics is the essence of life. It is the subject of what makes the world go round and how people behave and interact with each other.

Many human traits can be examined and explained through economics, not only the explanation of why some products sell and others do not, or why we have price inflation or trade deficits but also the way in which we spend our hard earned income, including the altruism of charitable donations.”

Of academia he says; “Academia is a somewhat strange world, although far less strange now than it was during, say, the first half of last century. Academia gives you critical mass of intellectual thought, it’s good to work in a challenging environment where intellectual property, largely through refereed publications, is the currency. The great appeal of academia, to me at least, has been the freedom that it has given me. I have chosen the path of my research and the countries in which I have carried out that research. It’s true that serendipity plays a large part in the direction of an academics research, but the decision tree is solely in the hands of the academic and that is refreshing in this world in which we live.”

As already stated, John’s connections with Gibraltar, professionally and personally, go back a long way, so how did the connection begin?

“In 1978 I was Director of the Institute of Economic Research at the University College of North Wales, Bangor and had undertaken a variety of research projects for the UK Government, including those for the Department of Transport, Local Authorities and had been involved in the debate with respect to Devolution in the UK,” John explained.

“I was contacted by the ODA and asked if I would visit Gibraltar with a view to building a model that could assist the Government of Gibraltar in its economic policies. My first visit to Gibraltar included meeting up with Prof.

George Clayton who was, at that time, providing economic advice to the GoG on behalf of the UK administration and George gave me his insights into an economy that, in George’s words, ‘was quite unique’. The past 32 years proved George’s statement to be true and, in spite of the various manifestations the economy has presented, it has always been quite unique!

“I returned to Gibraltar many times over the following 18 months collecting data from

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

“

The size of Gibraltar has proven to be not only a hindrance in terms of resources, it is also an advantage in that it allows for rapid communication and response when faced with economic shock

”

every source I could find, including bringing a team of researchers to survey the business and public sector as well as the MOD. During this first period of research in Gibraltar I built up a bond with the country that has remained strong and some life-long friendships.

“Although I had been involved with undertaking impact studies elsewhere at this time, this was my first input-output study and it was start of the family of Input-Output Models for Gibraltar which have provided a source of information for subsequent administrations, having been built in 1978, 1988, 2000 and updated regularly since that time.”

From an economic point of view, John finds Gibraltar’s position quite unique: “I suppose that if I were asked to sum up Gibraltar from an economics’ perspective the two words that would jump into my mind are resilience and resourcefulness,” he told us. “Gibraltar, as an economy, has been subjected to a number of significant shocks that have been outside the control of the Governments in power — most notably, the closure of

the land frontier with Spain, the withdrawal of the vast majority of the MOD activity (valued at more than 60% of the economy when I first started to work on models of the Gibraltar economy) and the subsequent re-opening of the land frontier with Spain. To have such an integrated and dominant sector as the MOD removed would have brought havoc to many economies, but Gibraltar grasped the events as an opportunity and managed to drive forward and create a more robust, diverse and independent economy from the resources released by the MOD’s withdrawal. The closure and subsequent re-opening of the frontier also was met with a resilience and has generated commercial endeavours that still thrive in today’s Gibraltar.

“When you have an economy as small (in the absolute sense) as Gibraltar with limited land and labour resources, the only way you can continue to grow is by creating higher value-added jobs as you move forward and that is precisely what Gibraltar has managed to do — from the blue collar work that dominated the MOD era to the white collar, high value business and financial services that are an important element of the 21st Century Gibraltar. The size of Gibraltar has proven to be not only a hindrance in terms of resources, it is also an advantage in that it allows for rapid communication and response when faced with economic shocks.

Following the first input-output model of Gibraltar the Foreign and Commonwealth Office asked John if he would build such a model for Mauritius and thus started a sequence of studies that would take him to economies in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean and through various countries in Europe. The input-output model of Jamaica was undertaken in 1985 and this report, although to this date never officially released by the Government of Jamaica, seems to have been widely distributed.

“I have come across copies of it in countries as diverse and geographically different as Brazil and New Zealand,” John said. “Jamaica, like Gibraltar became one of my regular places to carry out research from 1985 to 1988, during which time I carried out five different economic studies for the Government. Similarly, Mauritius and Seychelles became repeat customers having models and updated models constructed in 1982 and 1992. My specialism has been in ‘small economies’ and so countries like St. Lucia, Grenada, Fiji, Western Samoa, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and the Republic of Palau to name but a few, added to my understanding of how small economies work, their strengths (they do have them) and their weaknesses.

“There are certain qualities that you must have to build the type of models I build. First you need to have a good understanding of what makes economies ‘tick’. Particularly, with respect to small economies, it is absolutely vital that you understand how to exploit the best out of the resources you have — resources which are generally quite constrained.

So being able to understand the relationships within and between economies is key to model building. But to build models in practice you also need to have trust — the trust of local businesses — because without the confidential data needed to build the models you only have a theoretical model.

“Gaining that trust is one of the biggest chal-

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enconomy lenges because you have to persuade businesses to give you data that is more confidential and extensive than they supply to anyone else — including the tax authorities! Working in small economies makes data collection even more of a challenge because people are generally even more cautious about handing over data in case others in their economy may see it. I have even had people come on to an aircraft (in Jamaica) and hand me an envelope containing the data because they knew I was flying back to the UK and their data would fly out with me.

“Over the past three decades I have collected data from thousands of businesses in hundreds of countries and not one piece of data has ever been released — the questionnaires are shredded once the data have been extracted and used to build the models.”

John describes his most recent report on Gibraltar, commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, as an interesting extension to the work he carried out in the late ’70s in that he could look across the border to see what was happening there and how it was influenced by the activities within Gibraltar itself.

“To undertake this study I looked at the data I already had relating to businesses in Gibraltar, the frontier activity data, such as it is, then started to collect primary data from businesses and individuals that were relevant to cross frontier activity,” he added.

“I put together a team of researchers including Professor Adam Blake and Dr Yeganeh Morakabati, Adam was to look at the Spanish multiplier effects (using the Andalucía model) and Yeganeh was involved in tracking property prices, distances from the frontier, consumer spending patterns, Spanish wage rates etc.

The Gibraltar Input-Output Model was then married up to the Andalucía Model to look at the interactions between the two economies.

Cross border estimates were gathered and where possible we triangulated the research findings to check for reliability. Without the co-operation of businesses and people by filling in the questionnaires it would not be possible to do any of these studies, but fortunately there are enough businesses who care about the economy and demonstrate that engagement by helping to provide us with the data that are needed.

“Gibraltar has changed so much over the past 35 years. From a professional viewpoint Gibraltar now has much more control over its destiny than it appeared to have in the 1970s when it was largely dependent upon the UK

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“

Because of the way I see Gibraltar, I erred on the overly conservative side rather than risk being accused of being biased in my analyses

”

MOD for its economic existence. The Gibraltar of the 1970s was a fortress economy under siege with everything coming in through the port or the airport, including potable water.

Businesses were existing on sales to Gibraltar and MOD households, and employment was dominated by HM Dockyard and the other MOD activities such as the Naval Hospital, Windmill Flats etc.

“In terms of the infrastructure, it was generally poor, traffic was chaotic (still is in some hot spots). I was once told that if you lined up all the cars that were in Gibraltar nose to tail they would create a line half a mile longer than the length of roads open to the public. I don’t know if that statistic was true but it certainly seemed that way on a Sunday when the ritual scalextric of driving around the country

began. Because house purchasing was not commonplace, in Gibraltar of the 1970s people demonstrated their wealth through the cars they owned and thus there would be some quite large and impressive vehicles on display that were totally inappropriate for the roads around the town.

“I try not to have pre-conceived ideas whenever I build economic models because this may result in the overlooking of important relationships. I was not surprised to find there was a strong positive benefit for Gibraltar and Spain as a result of their trading relationships, although was surprised by the magnitude of Gibraltar’s effect on the house prices on the Spanish side of the frontier and how far that zone of influence extended. The figures that have been produced in the report are quite conservative, if anything, because of the way I see Gibraltar, I erred on the overly conservative side rather than risk being accused of being biased in my analyses.

“In professional terms I have to be seen as being objective or it would be difficult for me to undertake research elsewhere — its rather like the confidential data I have collected from businesses around the world, if people did not trust me to treat their data with absolute confidentiality then I would never be able to build any of the 100 or so models that I have built over the past 30+ years.”

As an economic model builder, John tries to provide objective tools that can be used by policy makers and generally avoids building in any policy conclusions for economies.

“The future of the Gibraltar economy is the domain of the residents of Gibraltar through their democratically elected system and should not be directed by external ‘experts’ no matter how well they know the economy or their passion for the country,” he emphasised.

“Therefore my reports present the relationships in a format that assists policy decision making for those charged with making those decisions and as such does not draw conclusions. The study shows one thing more than anything else — the fact that open economies (economies that trade) perform better than closed economies — in international trade this is a conclusion that has been known for many decades but it’s good to see it in action with respect to the cross frontier activities. Both Gibraltar and Spain benefit from the trade that takes place across La Linea.

“Looking to the future, the benefits will grow for both economies providing the political arena allows that growth to continue.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

business events Shangri-la at the Gibraltar International Boat Show 2010 Shangri-la, as official agents for the Breitling and ‘Breitling for Bentley’ Swiss watch manufacturers, were proud to present the latest collections to the Gibraltar International Boat Show visitors in April.

The V.I.P lounge at Bruno’s restaurant over-looking the Ocean Village and Marina Bay moorings, provided the perfect setting in which to admire these opulent timepieces over a glass of Tattinger champagne. The exclusive Breitling for Bentley collection proved to be the perfect foil for the added attraction in the form of the Bentley GT Continental Supersports, the fastest Bentley production motorcar built to date, brought in especially for this event.

A fitting way to celebrate Shangri-la’s partnership with this prestigious Swiss watch brand, spanning more than two decades. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

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events

Hassans Shortlisted for European Awards Hassans International Law Firm has once again been shortlisted for the Chambers and Partners European Awards for Excellence, the only Gibraltar law firm to be included.

The Awards will take place on Thursday, 20th May 2010 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and Hassans are up against stiff competition including the largest offshore law firm, Applebys.

Chambers and Partners, Europe comment: “We shall be honouring outstanding firms on the basis of research carried out for Chambers Europe 2010. These awards reflect a law firm’s preeminence in key practice areas. They also reflect notable achievements over the past 12 months including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service.”

Blue Day for Childline The Isolas and Fiduciary teams got into the spirit of Childline’s Blue Day last month and showed their support for this important local charity.

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Hassans, although smaller in comparison to the other law firms in the ‘offshore’ category, remain optimistic about winning the award. Last year’s winners were Channel Islands’ firm Ozannes (pictured). n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

events Cultural Grants The Cultural Grants Committee invites applications for ďŹ nancial assistance from local cultural entities.

Applications forms and conditions are available from the Ministry of Culture, 310 Main Street between 9.30am to 1.00pm and 2.30pm to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

For any enquiry contact the Ministry on Tel: 200 48063; Fax: 200 52589; or e-mail: minculture@gibtelecom.net.

Applications must be accompanied by the audited accounts for the last ďŹ nancial year and must reach the Director of Culture at the above address by no later than Friday 21st May 2010. â–

CBF to Take Early Retirement CBF, Commodore Adrian Bell, has informed both His Excellency the Governor and the Chief Minister that he intends to take early retirement from the Royal Navy in order that he can take up a post with a UK charity. It is likely that Commodore Bell will leave the Rock in the summer. â–

new board room for primary care centre Castiel Winser recently undertook the refurbishment of the board room at the Primary Care Centre in the ICC and Sydney Attias handed over the new facilities to Dr D McCutcheon, Chief Executive and Mr Joe Catania, Deputy Chief Executive.

Dr McCutcheon explained the use of the new facilities will be for management meetings as well as for staff training and seminars thanks to the new projector and screen which are part of the donation by Castiel Winser. â–

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

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education

Is More (or Less) Education the Answer?

a personal view by Paul de Beresford

All three major political parties in the United Kingdom have placed education at the heart of their manifestos for some years now. They have argued for more of it for more children both at the nursery stage and after school at university. The quality of what has been delivered and what is promised and the need for it in the first place, are the main areas of controversy.

The state has only been involved in providing education for a very short period in our history. Before the great expansion of provision 500 years ago or so, typically by charitable legacies, education was largely for the purpose of producing religious leaders and scholars to assist royalty. Then as the start of the exploration and colonization of the world developed, requiring scientists and mathematicians as it did, so these subjects became more important and were provided in a large number of newer foundations in the 1700s.

The empire had become well-established by the Victorian age and the industrial revolution created a non-agricultural work force, both requiring literacy and numeracy from large numbers of ordinary workers. The church was keen to keep hold of its influence upon the masses, so was the first to participate in the mass provision of elementary education by accepting government grants to establish schools concentrating on reading, writing and religion.

The state only came further into the picture in 1870 because there was a lack of sufficient coverage in the new bigger industrial cities and so school boards were created to fill in the gaps in provision.

Local authorities only entered into that picture at the beginning of the 20th century when they also started to provide secondary education for

a minority of pupils (the bright for free and the more affluent for fees).

Girls before had often been “educated” at home by their mothers to assist them in that home and to be mothers and wives thereafter or, higher up in the social scale, with governesses or small refined private schools who taught them to read and write and learn social graces sufficient to enable them to marry well.

The quantity of education has steadily increased. 12, 14, 15 then 16 became the statutory ages when the vast majority of children actually left school, in fact, now the majority leave later and the proportion going to university has increased from 5% only 50 years ago to soon, perhaps, the majority. But why has this happened? Was it necessary? Has it improved the lives of the recipients and society as a whole?

Can it be sustained?

Initially, educational expansion was for society’s benefit to ensure sufficient numbers of suitably skilled persons for both an industrial giant and an empire. However, education to 16 years was sufficient to provide solicitors, accountants and elementary school teachers as most of the skill required was learned “on the job” during being articled or in pupilage.

They generally had been taught at school by well-educated similar types and were, therefore, completely literate and numerate by 16. Later, as more and more went to university, the professions raised entry standards to 18 and then 21 to attract what they thought were the very same persons they would have got at 16 before.

But they have found they were recruiting less literate and less numerate people. Expansion of the professions is a major cause of this, but so are questionable changes in the nature of education.

Much is blamed on expenditure and class sizes. But only half a century ago, even with many untrained and other post-war emergencytrained teachers with only one year’s higher education themselves, and class sizes of 40, and little equipment or comfort in primary schools, far more children left school at 15 literate and

Initially, educational expansion was for society’s benefit to ensure sufficient numbers of suitably skilled persons for both an industrial giant and an empire 22 22

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

education numerate. As half has graduated towards university, the other half has actually become less proficient.

Northern Ireland has retained grammar schools and they admit a much higher proportion of the school population than ever before and, consequently, has the highest proportion of exam success, but also the highest number of pupils left behind completely in that they leave school without exam passes, in exams designed now to be capable of being passed by nearly everyone.

Gibraltar has followed UK trends closely which, in turn, has mirrored the past American and northern European levels of higher education provision. But eastern Europe actually both traditionally had high levels of higher education and maintained standards of excellence and suitable jobs for them, not matched further west.

Communism was not all bad!

Society has changed. Gone are the days when a grammar school girl was largely restricted to ambitions to type, teach or nurse, or even be an air stewardess. And gone are they days when most girls in industrial areas expected to work on a production line, even if they were literate and numerate. Those girls are now the teachers, nurses and lawyers of today. But, strangely, many essentially clerical jobs are now performed

Society has changed.

Gone are the days when a grammar school girl was largely restricted to ambitions to type, teach or nurse, or even be an air stewardess by those with ‘A’ levels and even degrees. So has something gone wrong? Why do we import unskilled builders etc. when we could employ local skilled ones if they existed; why are we educating people to become lawyers to perform clerical (sorry, they are now called administrative or even executive) functions?

The reason for all this may be in the ambition to acquire status with better housing, cars and a quality of life far beyond that enjoyed now in the Far East where the industrial jobs are now performed. But as the west adapts to a new age of austerity following the collapse of the economies, and with the threat of having to work until an older age (although still for fewer years for those now starting at 21), it is time to appreciate the proper purpose of education.

It should be to equip people to be able to understand more about themselves and the world, its past and its potential. This cannot be done by concentrating on turning out students with a tick-box mentality where understanding what they are doing and why they are doing it is lacking. Initiative training is necessary and this is not the preserve of the schools. The parts played by the likes of the scouts, guides, cadet forces, the churches, the family and the media in education for life and for its own sake are crucial. Even if, we have harder times ahead, a well educated populace will be happy and fulfilled! n GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Blue Day at Schools

Local schools embraced the Childline message on Blue Day in April with pupils wearing blue clothes and the Childline badges bearing the freephone number 8008. Pictured top: St Mary’s pupils. Above: Loreto Convent School and Bottom: Notre Dame kids with their badges.

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technology buried treasure

by Angela Smart, Smart Tax Consultancy

by Peter Schirmer

On the Treasure Trail A hoard of gold coins, which today would be worth several hundred thousand pounds, is hidden somewhere in the South District… and the only three people who knew its precise location have died, taking the secret of the treasure to their graves with them. The tale of the golden treasure — the fortune of one of Gibraltar’s wealthiest men, a miser who was determined that his wife and children would not benefit from his wealth — has been passed from generation to generation of his descendants.

But though one of these, the miser’s grandson Tommy Edwards, searched possible hiding places extensively during several visits to the Rock he could find no trace of the gold.

And Tommy’s niece, Aida Bensadon — a retired Gibraltar nurse and the great-granddaughter of the miser reputed during his lifetime to be Gibraltar’s wealthiest businessman — believes that it may never be found, for it probably is buried under one of the blocks of flats which sprawl across Vineyards estate.

“Vineyards is built on part of what was the garden of my great-grandfather Asopardi’s Gibraltar home,” she told me recently. “He had other houses in Spain as well, but the

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the old man used to boast that he had enough gold to ‘make a carpet of gold from Rosia Road to Harbour View entrance’

treasure was hidden in Gibraltar. The grounds of his house here stretched from what is now Rosia Road to the entrance of the old Naval Harbour and, in fact, the old man used to boast that he had enough gold to ‘make a carpet of gold from Rosia Road to Harbour View entrance’… that’s what my mother used to tell me.”

Asopardi — no relation of PDP leader Keith — owned a string of race horses and several businesses on the Rock. He was nicknamed ‘Mister Chamary’, his great-granddaughter recalls. “He was certainly one of the richest men in Gibraltar at the time and though he had five children — a son and four daughters

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

buried treasure — he seems to have been fonder of his horses than he was of his family,” Aida says. “No-one in the family seems to know why he didn’t want to give his treasure to them.

“My mother, who remembered him said he had lots of gold in coins which my grandmother had seen and knew all about. She was one of the four daughters and married an Edwards from Birmingham. The old miser’s son and one of his grandsons rode as jockeys for him.”

As a baby only a few months old, Aida was evacuated to Britain at the outbreak of World War II so never met her great grandfather who died “either before the war or after the outbreak of hostilities”, but both her mother and grandmother used to tell her the story of the hidden family fortune.

“I used to think it was just a family legend with no real substance, but my Uncle Tommy who served in the Royal Navy and frequently visited Gibraltar was convinced of the truth of the tale. He explored the old garden — that was before Vineyards was built — and even went down a tunnel that was there, looking for the treasure. He also explored the cemetery where the old man was buried and where there was a big family plot.

“He had met one of the two men who knew where the gold was concealed, but both had been sworn to secrecy. My uncle quizzed the Spaniard who had helped hide the treasure.

His name was Adolfo and he was 80 years old

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“

My Uncle Tommy who served in the Royal Navy and frequently visited Gibraltar was convinced of the truth of the tale

”

at the time, but he had promised his employer not to reveal anything…and so Uncle Tommy got nowhere with that line of inquiry.”

Aida’s own skepticism was dispelled when, while working as a private night nurse during her nursing career, one of her patients was and elderly English lady whose husband had served as an army officer in the garrison here and stayed on after his retirement.

“She said to me ‘Your face is familiar. Do you belong to the Edwards family?’ And when I confirmed that I was an Edwards she told me; “I went to the engagement party of your grandparents…you just cannot imagine how rich the family was. Your great grandfather was immensely wealthy.”

Her interest piqued by what the woman had said, Aida tracked the house which had belonged to the miser and met the occupant — who had known her great-grandfather… and also had heard tales of the hidden treasure.

“It was just as my grandmother had described it to my mother and as she had described it to me. There were even some of the old oil paintings and portraits on the walls that had been left behind when the house was sold. But there was nothing that pointed to the whereabouts of the gold!”

Then the garden was expropriated by the Government and Vineyards was built… burying the treasure of ‘Mister Chamary’ forever? n

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This photo and opposite: courtesy Project Trust www.projecttrust.org.uk

charity projects Peruvian children saying a big thankyou to previous students who helped during their gap year

teaching english in chile It’s quite normal for students to take a year out after their A Levels to find their feet and make the final decision on their career choice, and although some choose to take the time as an extended holiday, many young people take the opportunity to be involved in a worthy cause which helps others and broadens their horizons.

Rheanna Roche is one local student who has made that choice and has recently been accepted by Project Trust, based on the Isle of Coll in the Scottish Hebrides.

Project Trust is Britain’s oldest gap year provider and the only one that exclusively targets school leavers. Their volunteers work in 25 countries, on projects from teaching English in China, to caring in orphanages in South Africa and working alongside street children in Bolivia. All of their volunteers are selected for a long-term project, from between eight and 12 months.

Project Trust differs from commercial year-out companies because they are a charity, and because they offer extensive (and unusual) training, education and in-the-field support programmes.

Their objectives fit with the current

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Rheanna Roche will be heading to Chile in August to work with Project Trust teaching English in underfunded schools

school syllabus of citizenship and enrichment, providing the opportunity to develop life skills.

The team at Project Trust put time into getting to know their volunteers and matching them to the right opportunities, and although they are not an aid agency, they do make every effort to ensure that volunteers have a positive impact on their host communities, only working where invited and never taking work from local people.

This system has been in place for the last 40 years, and has made Project Trust one of the most experienced and professional gap year organisations in Britain.

Rheanna, Originally from Crewe, England, moved to Gibraltar six years ago with her family.

She finishes her A Levels this year where she has been studying English, Spanish and Business Studies

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

charity projects

Project Trust students are encouraged to emerse themselves in the culture and to get to know the people of the country where they are living

Project Trust make every effort to ensure that volunteers have a positive impact on their host communities, only working where invited and never taking work from local people and is planning on a long term career in teaching.

“I don’t feel I’m ready for university yet, but I don’t want to head straight into employment either,” she told us. “I think the idea of taking a full year to teach abroad and help others will give me a good footing to start my career as well as helping me to be clear in my mind that this is right for me too.

“After looking at various options, I found Project Trust on the internet. They seemed to stand out against other options which you just raised funds and went. Project Trust take great care in their selection process and give you guidance and teaching before you head to your destination. I think this is very important.”

Rheanna made her own way to the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides for an intense week along with another 24 students hoping to find a place on the project.

“It was great fun and there was a lot to learn while we were there,” she continued. “Out of the 25 students who attended the week, around 15 of us were selected, so actually showing willing is not the qualifying factor.

“We were interviewed on what we were hoping to achieve, and the team from Project Trust take great care in making sure you have the right mind-set for where you are planning on spending the year and what you will be doing.”

Project Trust in Chile assigns stu-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

dents to help with teaching English in some of the poorer schools in and around Santiago, the capital of the country, but also has places for a couple of students to work in schools in more rural villages.

“Although I won’t know until next month where I’ll be placed, I did check the box for ‘rural’, so I’m hoping that’s where I’ll be. We’ll have to wait and see though,” Rheanna added.

“The main point though is that I believe that helping people in less developed countries through teaching is extremely important as it creates a new future for young people and has a lasting effect on future generations.”

For Rheanna to be able to take part this next year, she needs to raise £5,000 in funds and is tackling this issue with a series of events. In the middle of May she’s planned a ramble together with a raffle draw, and towards the end of the month eight friends will be joining her on a sponsored sky dive.

The Yellow Pages, where she currently works part-time have organised a phone-in competition with the chance to win an iPod Shuffle each month. Full details will be emailed to their subscribers and full information is available online at www.gibyellow.gi n If you’d like to help Rheanna and Project Trust in Chile, she can be contacted directly by email: fundrheanna@hotmail.com Tel: 54007018.

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by Nathan Torro

Artist’s rendering of the AMC18 satellite, just one of those controlled by SES

Gibraltar’s spacecraft controllers In the control room a drawling American voice crackles over the radio: “Battery Boost Charge Complete” with the calm “Gibraltar copies” response from Dean Robson, an ex-RAF engineer, who I was assured was actually flying an East-West manoeuvre on one of the 11 satellites controlled from Gibraltar at that very moment.

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A

fter last month’s article on the Rock’s role in regulating the satellite industry, it was inevitable that nothing could have stopped me knocking on the door of SES Gibraltar, the local division of the second largest commercial satellite company in the world — and space for that matter too: SES. The door was kindly opened by Harry Pallas who heads the nine strong team, who gave up some of his valuable time to tell us what they do.

It turns out that spring and autumn are the busiest times of the year for SES, although generally the Gibraltar control centre is pretty much busy 24 hours a day right through the year.

“At the moment we’re in what is known as the ‘eclipse period’ in the industry,” Harry told me. “This is when our satellites can spend up to 72 minutes in darkness while the sun is on the other side of earth.”

I thought at this point it might be a good idea to learn some basics before being pummelled with the all the technicalities — Harry was the perfect person to explain, but first, what is this set-up doing in Gibraltar?

“The project was kick-started by the licensing facilities when they were first offered here in Gibraltar. SES started operations from Gibraltar 10 years ago with the launch of one satellite from Baikonur in Kazakhstan, later followed by others from Cape Canaveral in Florida and from the European Space Agency’s launch facility in Kourou, South America,” Harry explained.

“Our main work here is to keep the satellites we control pointing where they should and in the correct position on their orbit. We monitor the electronic equipment on board and make adjustments by remote control.

We can also switch off faulty equipment and switch on replacement units, as once on orbit it is impossible to reach the satellite again to repair it.

“It is extremely expensive to put a satellite into space and maintain it, and we have to ensure it is doing exactly what it needs to for our clients who can pay millions of dollars a year per TV channel to broadcast on.”

Harry assured me that costs can easily escalate to around $300 million for the satellite design, licences, insurance and launch, and then there is the upkeep during its life-span of around 15 years. I was intrigued to know why companies would pay the high costs for space on their satellites. Harry gave me the basic scenario: “For television broadcast, satellites have become a necessity. Radio waves travel in straight lines, so broadcasting from the earth creates several problems. The first being the curvature of the earth, and the second being mountains. You need repeater stations at regular intervals, and even then there will be areas which receive a weak signal — or none at all. Another problem with this is that you can’t use the same frequency from two earth stations with coverage which overlaps as the signals will interfere, so it becomes a complicated puzzle to make sure everyone is receiving the signal. The solution before satellites were in use was to broadcast each television channel on several different frequencies at the same time, each from a different mountaintop — even in the relatively small geographi-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

the final frontier

cal area of the UK, the bandwidth was taken up very quickly with the four main channels.

If you think that today customers expect over a hundred channels when they switch the set on, the only way this can be achieved with full country-wide coverage is via satellite transmission.”

The satellites that SES operate are all on the geostationary orbit, something we touched on in last month’s article but without really explaining the how or the why.

“The closer a satellite is to earth, the faster it needs to travel to stay in orbit. On earth’s surface we are travelling at about 1,000 kilometres an hour,” Harry enlightened me. “The geostationary orbit is at a distance of about three times the earth’s diameter — around 36,000 kilometres above the equator which is the correct distance for the satellite to go around the earth in exactly 24 hours. In effect, the satellite seems stationary above a certain point on the earth and can throw a constant footprint on a specific area.”

The footprint, it turns out is the shape and size of the area on earth covered by a specific satellite.

“They can have more than one footprint though,” Harry continued. “A satellite can have two or even more transmitter dishes depending on the design and purpose, and one dish can have two different patterns, each directed at a different area of earth. Although you may expect the footprint to be conical,

“

the dishes are designed to direct a signal to a precise area, to the point where the signal can follow the border line of countries who do not wish to receive them.

“In fact, they are so precise that one of our American satellite’s footprints follows the Mexican border and only breaches over by around 50 kilometres. From a distance of 36,000 kilometres — that is precise.”

Today, from the control room in Leanse Place, Harry and his team look after satellites mainly transmitting to North America, but also over Europe and Japan. Keeping them in their exact spot seems like a mathematical art form, and with the massive array of screens constantly churning out numbers and data, it’s a process for extremely well trained engineers.

“We’re currently more qualified and experienced than our counterparts over in America!” Harry boasted a little. “To be fair, up until recently we’ve had fewer satellites to control and therefore more time for training, but we were the first division of SES to have the whole team pass a set of rigorous exams on new satellite systems and we’ve just finished sitting a set of exams which were so difficult that only three out of 15 controllers have passed them in America. We have had six out of seven passes in Gibraltar to date.”

Harry pointed out some of the columns of numbers on the screens to give me an idea of what was going on: “It is vital to keep the

Harry Pallas looks on as (above) Dean Robson flies a satellite 36,000km above Japan, with Ray Payas, Senior Spacecraft Controller and Training Coordinator in the background

Our main work here is to keep the satellites we control pointing where they should and in the correct position on their orbit

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

”

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the final frontier

yaw, pitch and roll of the satellite on a constant zero. If you imagine that a one degree variation can move the footprint over 600 kilometres, this means a signal in the UK could move to somewhere over Poland. Advertisers on the TV stations being broadcast would not be very happy!

“Then we have to keep each satellite inside an imaginary box in the sky. So we normally perform two manoeuvres a week with each satellite to correct the inevitable slight drift.

One to correct the North-South and another to correct the East-West and circularize the orbit that would otherwise become elliptical. The first takes about 70 minutes and the other about 5 minutes, plus about an hour to prepare and warm up the rocket engines, and the operation is always flown by one control centre and over seen by another.

“In this case, we have control of the satellite, and the American branch are overseeing the procedure to make sure there are no errors. These roles are normally alternated.”

The zeroed figures of the pitch and role increased in millionths for a minute or so, and a graph showed the thruster power change as Dean loaded the programs to the satellite which gave instructions for correcting its position. I must say it was an odd feeling to think that 36,000 kilometres away something was

30

actually being controlled from the Rock. You can put it more into perspective if you take on board Harry’s comments that the space shuttle only travels in an orbit of 300 kilometres and it takes quarter of a second for the signal to reach the satellite and bounce back — and that’s travelling at the speed of light!

With multiple batteries each the size of divers’ oxygen tanks and a limited amount of fuel for its expected life span, the efficiency of these manoeuvres is critical and apparently even more so in spring and autumn.

“The geostationary orbit is a ring around the equator to ensure maximum exposure to sunlight,” Harry told us. “In winter and summer, there is always a line of sight between the satellite and the sun which keeps the batteries on full charge and to power the equipment from the solar arrays. Temperatures in space are extreme though, and whilst the side of the satellite facing the sun will be at about 200 degrees, the part in shade will be at minus 200 degrees, so there is a constant thermal control system on board to make sure all the equipment stays functional.

“

“Spring and Autumn are a problem, because of the tilt of the earth. There are moments when the satellite is eclipsed by the earth and there’s no sunlight reaching the equipment. Here the batteries kick in and we need to keep them carefully monitored to make sure there are no problems. At the same time, because of the extreme cold, extra heating is needed whilst the satellite is in shadow — right at a time when you would prefer to be saving energy.”

But the satellites are built with a ‘worst case scenario’ attitude and equipped with two or three of everything in case something breaks.

“We prefer to have three of each of the most important components, and maybe even more if it’s something which we know can have a short life-span,” said Harry. “For example, if something happens to the on-board computer system, there’s a back-up to take over. But if that then failed, we’d be left with a satellite in orbit quite close to others, and with a third possible failure making it go out of control.

We’d probably want to put another satellite where it is. We can’t get up there to move it, so it would be a potential problem as it could affect other satellites in nearby orbits. We would immediately use the third on-board computer to take the satellite to a higher orbit around 300 kilometres further out and retire it, leaving the space free on the geostationary orbit for a replacement satellite.”

With yet another satellite set to be launched from the Russian base of Baikonur later this month, SES Gibraltar’s workload looks set to increase.

“We fly five primary and six backup satellites. (Primary and backup are similar to pilot and co-pilot roles). That makes us the control site with most satellites, as our US colleagues are less experienced and currently operate five and five from each of three different locations, one in Maryland and two in New Jersey. Luxembourg operates a different fleet of satellites. The latest SES satellite launch will not be flown initially by Gibraltar, although the list of satellites we operate changes quite often, for operational reasons. We’ll wait and see what the future holds as far as expanding our operations here on the Rock.” n

We fly five primary and six backup satellites.

That makes us the control site with most satellites

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

photo courtesy Tomboy Sailing

community update

Father Charles to Join The Navy Father Charles Bruzon is soon to leave Gibraltar to join the Royal Navy.

calling all sailors The Gibraltar to Morocco Rally is possibly the most social event in the local sailing calendar, with boats setting off at leisure en masse from Marina Bay to Marina Smir just across the Strait on the third weekend in June.

This is the 10th rally in the six years it has been running (two each year — the first in June and a second in October). This year the boats will be setting off on Friday 18th June for a weekend of relaxation, sightseeing and more.

Boats normally return to the Rock at leisure on the Monday. Everyone with a yacht — sail or motor — is welcome to join the fun and to bring along guests if they wish too, but you’ll need to register in advance.

For full info contact Loraine 54006335 or Jane on +34 646 421 644. Or email jane.edwards@ gmail.com, it’s a great way to meet new people and enjoy a weekend of social sailing. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Having been the parish priest at St Bernard’s Church and the RC Officiating Chaplain to the Military for the last ten years, the Church has given her blessing to Father Charles joining the Senior Service and becoming a Naval Chaplain — one of only nine RC Chaplains in the Navy.

In September, Father Charles will begin a six week entry course at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth before assuming his duties. It is no secret that a career in the Navy will combine two of his interests, the military and the sea.

“Coming into contact with Forces families at St Bernard’s Church and personnel in the wider military community has led me to appreciate their unique needs,” said Father Charles. “It has also whetted my appetite to becoming a full-time Chaplain.”

“I will especially miss my parishioners and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment but I believe that God is calling me to this new challenge and ministry.” n

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Photo: Javier Amian

32

a voice above With a strong, crystalline, mature voice to cover hits by bands that have been playing longer he’s been alive, Nolan Frendo already has an impressive musical curriculum under his belt at the tender age of 24.

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Nolan discovered his talent seven years ago, which he claims to be ‘late’ for the average wannabe singer, but he made up for lost time when he was picked as Milbajac’s new frontman after founder member Lawrence Imossi left.

Nolan hadn’t yet landed his own record deal across the Pond, but his voice did strike a chord with Taxi’s Dylan Ferro, who suggested he take lessons and introduced him to a teacher in Algeciras. Then penniless, Nolan confesses he couldn’t afford too many, but a handful was enough to educate his vocal cords and explore his range to its fullest potential.

A self-taught guitar player — which is achievable with lot of dedication and boring practice, according to him — he was soon ready to start his own band, and Jetstream was born 18 months ag. Stuart Whitwell plays lead guitar, Justin Pou on bass, Neville Guilliano on keyboards and Christian Gerada on drums.

They were soon cruising the local nightclub scene, playing cover versions of popular, mainstream pop and rock songs for patrons to move and sing along.

Juggling his passion for the gym and the guitar with his day job as data input operator, where he often ends his shift at midnight, just on time for Jetstream to meet at their fav joint and give the beat to clubbers, Nolan sings at the top of his lungs whenever — and wherever — he can.

In Gibraltar people don’t usually appreciate you immediately if you jump on stage, out of the blue, with original songs, he explains. You must make a name for your band first, playing cover versions to define and publicise which genre you’re in, and only then take the plunge and introduce original material.

And now that Jestream is established, Nolan and Stuart are getting serious about writing a series of songs for their debut album, which they expect to publish for Christmas, hopefully counting on some generous sponsorship.

Too early to disclose its title, it is going to be their businesscard to launch them as a here-tostay band with tracks that aren’t just an excuse to shake it, but will feature lyrics to meditate on, sprung from the band’s own life experiences, and issues youngsters can identify with.

The influences to Jetstream’s sound are many, but the most recurrent are Kings of Leon, The Killers, Foo Fighters, Incubus and Pearl Jam. Nolan plays by the ear and candidly admits to not being able to read scores — blessing and curse shared by plenty of musical geniuses.

He strums the melody and when he likes it, he just writes down the string numbers. Sometimes the lyrics come first, inspired by everyday situations or extraordinary events alike, and it’s easy to compose a suitable riff after it. On the contrary, when the music comes first, it’s tricky to follow up with lyrics to suit its mood.

Nolan has a few songs already done and dusted and few more surprises to come, including the album sleeve by Stuart, himself a professional graphic designer, who already creates posters for their gigs.

Music-addicted Nolan defines himself a a a showman and performer who loves to move around on stage, and to encourage audience participation. Even if acting and dancing aren’t his forte, he dipped into musical, co-starring opposite Louise Peach and a bunch of local celebs in Christian Santos’s epic production of Heroica at last year’s Miss Gibraltar show.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JANUARY

music scene

Not put off by the idea of bopping up and down the Alameda Theatre in ancient hero’s attire that flaunted his tribal tattoos, Nolan accepted again the challenge of singing in costume for James Neish’s production of The Sound of Music, for which he dyed his hair ginger, to play Rolf and sing 16 Going on 17.

“I shaved it off afterwards!” thus he tackled the ‘downside’ of being an actor. “It was a different experience, but an experience anyway, and I like trying new things, so it was fun.”

He was back on stage in the recent celebration of Richard Cartwright’s radio career Yesterday When I Was Young, when the ’50s and ’60s raged at the Ince’s Hall — and he had to sport more flamboyant costumes and hairdos!

“When I interpret someone else’s songs, I must keep up with the original feel, but when I sing my own work, I can deliver it with my best passion,” he says.

Furthermore, when performing cover versions he is inevitably compared to the artist most associated to that track. Thus he has to steer clear of making the wrong impression: “I don’t imitate their voice: I adapt my own to their style.”

With a medley of Motown’s anthems in the pipeline for one of the most anticipated staples in local entertainment, and gigs all over the place this summer, where is Nolan finding the time to lend his voice to the jazzy poetry in music of one of his friend’s projects, slowly but surely materialising in Nigel Palmer’s studio? Perhaps youth is not always wasted on the young... watch this space!

Jetstream plays weekends at Lord Nelson, Rock on the Rock Club, All Stars Sports Bar or Chao.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Photo: Javier Amian

by Elena Scialtiel

33

past revisited

by Dave Wood

H

unter’s father was a London business man, but the idea of following in his

footsteps was distinctly unattractive.

Archie stared into the future and found it wanting. The main purpose of being alive, he felt, was to seek adventure and put yourself constantly to the test. Danger was something not to be avoided, but to be passionately embraced; to be laughed in the face of.

To that end he looked beyond his father to his maternal grandfather, who had been a Major in the army. That was more like it. He attended a military college in Glasgow and did well enough to move on to the doyen of educational military establishments, Sandhurst. By the time he was 19 (1875) he was ready to leave the classroom and embark on a military career. He joined the King’s Own 4th Lancashire Regiment as a SubLieutenant.

The adventure he craved was never far away, but the first notable campaign in which he was involved came nine years later when he was part of the ill-fated Gordon Relief Expedition that tried unsuccessfully to rescue Charles George Gordon from his Mahdi captors. Gordon (otherwise known as “Chinese Gordon” or, more famously, “Gordon of Khartoum”) had been attempting to engineer the appointment of a former slave trader, Sebehr Rahma, as leader of the Sudan, but the British government thought such a bounder was totally unsuitable.

Sudan was awash with rebellions and risings, and just about everyone except Gordon thought it would be judicious to make their excuses and leave. Gordon stubbornly managed to get himself and his men besieged in Khartoum, and although he had made himself a damned nuisance, the authorities couldn’t just abandon him to his fate. That would send the natives entirely the wrong message. Hence the Gordon Relief Expedition, led by Field Marshall Garnet Wolseley, and including a young Archibald Hunter.

After a series of battles and skirmishes, the force reached Khartoum on 28th January 1885, but they were two days too late. On 26th January the rebels had taken the town, and Gordon had been killed. Ironically, Gordon became something of a national hero, while Wolseley bequeathed his name only to a handful of pubs.

In failing to rescue Gordon, Wolseley’s expedition may have been a fiasco, but for Archibald Hunter it was a priceless learning curve. If it was action, adventure and danger that he was looking for, he found all three in abundance. No soldier could call himself a true soldier until he

The Chivalrous Sir Archibald By all accounts, Archibald Hunter, who served as Gibraltar’s Governor from 1910 to 1913, would not have been out of place at King Arthur’s round table. He was a soldier, like generations of the Rock’s governors before and since, but he was renowned as a gentleman — a chivalrous knight born out of his time. More than one writer has likened him to Don Quixote, but without the penchant for tilting at windmills. But if there was nothing more to Archie Hunter than a habit of standing when a lady entered the room, or clicking his heels politely before running an enemy through with his sword, there would be little to write about, and he would never have risen to become Governor of Gibraltar.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

past revisited had been wounded in battle and bore the scars to prove it, and this rite of passage came during a fearsome fracas in Sawakin.

He might have died, but he didn’t, and his reward for taking all the enemy could throw at him and shrugging it off in a courteous and deprecatingly British manner was the governorship of the Sudanese province of Dongola and command of the Frontier Field Force, although he had to wait until 1895 to receive it. Perhaps the government had been cautiously waiting to be sure that his wounds weren’t going to prove fatal.

Whatever the case, at the age of 39 he had made the military grade. Britain was still smarting from the indignity of the Khartoum debacle a decade before, and was determined to recapture the city. The man for the job was Lord Kitchener, best known today as the face on the most famous of World War I’s recruiting posters. It was he who took charge, in 1896, of the Anglo-Egyptian Nile Expeditionary Force which accomplished that end, and once again, Archibald Hunter played his part. He commanded the Egyptian contingent. Time for another reward, and in 1899 he became governor of Sudan’s largest city, Omdurman.

He might have stayed there had not southern Africa become embroiled that same year in the second Boer War. This article, indeed two lifetimes, would not be long enough to explore in detail the origins of the conflict, so we may safely ignore them. Anyway, by 1899, no war in Africa was complete without Archibald Hunter, and he was cast as General Officer Commanding the 10th Division, with the appropriate hat.

Hostilities lasted a couple of years, and Hunter once again managed to survive.

With the dawn of the new century came a change of scenery, and a new job. Gone was the alien terrain of Africa, and the task of alternately charming and chastising the natives. In 1901 he was brought home... almost. He was made GOC Scotland. Perhaps the government felt his years of experience in facing up to the warlike tribes of the dark continent made him the perfect man to deal with the Scots. He stayed north of the border until 1903, and the fact war did not break out between the two nations, except on Saturday nights in Glasgow taverns, may be seen as something of a triumph. But the lure of foreign climes and exotic locations remained strong, and in 1904 he was off to the jewel in the British Empire’s crown.

He was sent to India to take command of the

Western Army Corps and eventually, three years later, the Southern Army. The feeling of power that comes with command often goes to a man’s head, but not Archibald Hunter. Through it all his reputation for old-fashioned chivalry grew.

He was a latter-day knight errant who would rather grasp the business end of a red-hot poker than be thought discourteous to a lady or boorishly ill-mannered to a fool.

And then, on 30th July 1910, he became Governor of Gibraltar.

It should have been easy. For a man who had spent a good part of his life dealing with restless natives, fighting what he was convinced was the good fight on behalf of queen, country and empire, it should have been a doddle. Gibraltar was, in contrast to the Sudan and India, a peaceful oasis. The Spanish claim had not gone away, but it was on the back burner. The Rock was not under siege, no cholera epidemic was raging, and the only dark cloud to spoil things was that occasionally produced by the levant.

The reality was different. Hunter, like all of Gibraltar’s governors, was a military man. He felt easy commanding men in battle, or who might at any time be called upon to be so. He was a man of action, not a pen-pusher, and the governership of a peaceful British colony not about to rebel involved enough pen-pushing to strain even the most robust of wrists.

For once, Archibald’s legendary chivalry, and courage under fire, was of little advantage.

Keeping the balance between the War Office, the Colonial Office, and a local population that had complaints but didn’t threaten to blow his head off was difficult, and at the end of the day it was work for a diplomat, not a soldier.

Hunter floundered. He was not out of his depth, but he was most certainly out of his comfort zone, and if he was not among Gibraltar’s most successful and celebrated governors, it was

The feeling of power that comes with command often goes to a man’s head, but not Archibald Hunter. Through it all his reputation for oldfashioned chivalry grew

not his fault. He was a classic case of a square peg being forced unwillingly into a round hole, with everyone taking a turn with the hammer.

During his three-year stint in the job there were no major crises, no devastating scandals, no particularly embarrassing faux pas, but for the first time in his life, he found himself the subject not of general admiration, but of constant, often petty criticism.

His salvation came with the First World War. It was the war that changed everything. When it began, in 1914, it was still possible to believe, as so many thousands of young men did as they marched blindly to their terrible deaths, that war was a great, romantic adventure. It was the notion that had inspired Archibald Hunter 40 years before, and when he took control of the 13th (Western) Division, and then the 3rd Army, at the outbreak of hostilities, maybe he still felt the same.

Four years later, after the unprecedented horrors of the trenches, the pointless loss of an entire generation, and with the distant whiff of mustard gas in the nostrils even of those who never came within miles of it, only fools and madmen would ever believe the old lies again.

Millions died in the First World War, and the world they had known died with them.

Those who were left, like General Sir Archibald Hunter GCB GCVO DSO, found themselves stranded on a new and alien planet; a technological nightmare of a place with flying machines and ironclad things called tanks on the battlefield in place of horses. If Hunter’s old-school chivalry had seemed quaintly out of place in 1880’s Sudan, it now seemed positively archaic. Little wonder that with the culmination of the war, at the age of 62, after a short period as a training officer at Aldershot, he called it a day and retired.

He was done with military life, but still felt he had something to offer his country. He stood in the 1918 General Election as a Conservative candidate, and was elected as member for Lancaster, but when the next election came around four years later he stood down. For whatever reason, parliament was not to his taste. Perhaps he found it dull, perhaps frustrating. The only life he understood was of a soldier, but a soldier in a suddenly vanished age.

He lived for another 14 years, no doubt dreaming on lazy summer afternoons of riding into battle bearing the colours of a lady on his lance. A knight errant, finally without a mission.

All dressed up, and nowhere to go. n

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

35

Nathan Conroy

Stomping to Success

by Richard Cartwright

At age three in Gibraltar he was introduced to Martial Arts, 33 years later he is one of the leading lights in the universally acclaimed showstopper, Stomp. To realise that status Nathan Conroy has worked hard and been through the arduous and gruelling journey that is the world of dance.

Now, aged 36, he misses the simple life and wants to learn how to drive!

Nathan’s dad is former Gibraltar police sergeant Charlie Conroy, perhaps better known to some as the director of the martial arts club at Wellington Front. Through his dad’s initial tuition at such an early age Nathan sampled what was to become a way of life, first in martial arts and then dance.

“My dad was a great inspiration and from the age of three I continued in the club and later broke into street and break dance. I spent one year at university doing dance but felt it wasn’t quite what I was looking for. I think I learned more during that time from going to the university’s library and watching videos than from what I was being taught.”

Nathan opted out of university and spent the next four years in dance schools up and down the UK. “I moved to the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and that’s where I learned my trade. It involved contemporary, ballet and more and it was hard: they try to break you down even to the point of making you cry, but in the end you learn. That’s what you’re there for.”

In Gibraltar Nathan was into break dance (now more commonly known as street dance) which was all the rage at the time and put together a dance group called Public Demand which performed at Miss Gibraltar shows and

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the Benidorm Song Festival in Spain.

“I did a lot of solo dance and body popping and that’s where my training in Martial Arts helped and still does in my work with Stomp.”

In the UK Nathan auditioned for a dance group called the Phoenix Dance Company.

“Yes, I was the only white guy in the group. It was an Afro Caribbean outfit with that kind of theme about their dance. At first they weren’t too sure about me and worked me hard. They were being cruel to be kind sort of thing. Then we went on a tour of Northern Ireland and in a write-up in a local magazine or paper I was highlighted for my performance and that’s when

“

I did a lot of solo dance and body popping and that’s where my training in Martial Arts helped and still does in my work with Stomp

”

I was told, ‘now you’re one of us.’ That gave me great confidence.”

Nathan didn’t become complacent and kept on seeking opportunities to better his skills and further his career. He worked freelance for the Yorkshire Council visiting schools. He attended many auditions including some for top pop artists.

“I went to an audition for a Spice Girls video and we were lined up, just like in these reality shows where they say ‘You, five step forward and the rest can go.’ I was chosen for that and I also worked with Wyclef Jean and the Fugees. I went on to make four short films for Channel 4 and was involved in a video to promote a male cologne for DKNY in the mid-’90s.”

A tough workload lay ahead for Nathan. Joining another outfit called Seloy Dance Company.

“The thing with staying put with one company is that you become moulded and I didn’t want that. There are some companies that are more creative and I prefer this. I then toured Denmark and the UK and did break dance, urban classicism — a fusion of break dance and classical — toured the UK once more and then…

I joined 2,000 others to audition for Stomp!”

This was the ultimate goal — the great opportunity Nathan was longing for, joining the world famous Stomp experience.

“After the initial stages, I made it to the last

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

talent returns 30. Only ten would be chosen and when we were down to 15 we kept on attending rehearsal after rehearsal and some of us were getting fed up. Once again we were worked hard and it was very demanding but I was chosen in the final ten!”

Nathan explains that Stomp was created by a couple of guys from Brighton in the UK, Luke Cresswell and Steve Nicholas, who, after working together for ten years, premiered Stomp at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1991. Stomp can best be described as a fusion of percussion, choreography and physical comedy — no speech! Eight performers are on stage taking the audience on a journey through sound, where rhythm is the only language created by dustbins, dustbin lids, brooms, oil drums and other bits and pieces.

“I was in. We were off to Paris for my first job with Stomp. We were there for a one year ‘sit in’ or residency. I call it a body percussive theatre show that runs for one hour and 40 minutes.

It comprises a cast of 12 with eight on stage at any given time and in that way you are broken in slowly. It’s witty, comical and the story of one-upmanship — very much to do with performance skills. I then moved to the Westend in London for a year.”

Gibraltar’s premier dancer broke off for a while and joined Motion House Dance Theatre for an educational tour of the UK and France as a dancer/choreographer visiting schools lecturing and working on behavioural issues.

“We also went to prisons and got involved

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

with ‘lifers’. I was quite frightened at first but then it was a great experience. I learned a lot about how to deal with sensitivity and related issues. I did a lot of different types of work also, like going to Australia, making many dance films, appearing at lots of film festivals and I came to Gibraltar to make a video called Tussle for the Commonwealth Film Festival. Then, I’ve been on the Australian version of So You Think You Can Dance, worked in Lithuania and at the BAFTA Awards Show in the UK. So yes, since leaving the Rock, I’ve kept myself busy.”

‘Busy’ is an under statement. Four years ago Nathan re-joined Stomp, spent six months in London and is now some way through a three year world tour!

“We’ve been all over, except the United States where Stomp has another outfit performing there. I’ve now taken a five month break but I

“

We also went to prisons and got involved with ‘lifers’. I was quite frightened at first but then it was a great experience.

I learned a lot about how to deal with sensitivity

”

will be re-joining the tour.”

Nathan has also been involved in the making of 109 minute Stomp Live DVD and is now what they call, one of the ‘elite’ eight ­— six boys and two girls — and they will be performing at the FA Cup Final.

“I’ve now taken on another role within the group as a representative for Stomp responsible for interviews and dealing with the press and that sort of thing.”

Nathan has also become involved in teaching something called Capuera — a Brazilian martial arts type dance. So now he’s gone full circle and back to his dancing/martial arts roots?

“Well in a way yes, because it is my intention to spend more time in Gibraltar. I miss the family, my friends, the way of life, the simple life. I want to push and explore contacts in Spain to see how things can develop there. And here, I want to offer my services down at Wellington Front.

“I’m keen to start street dance classes and a new, different form of dance. I honestly think dance has improved quite a bit on the Rock but I still think there is too much emphasis on splits, glitter, medals, and certificates and not enough on the professional side of dance. There’s a need for more expression in all its forms.

“Yes I want to come back and live the life again and when I get some spare time, learn how to drive!”

If you’ve not had the opportunity to see Stomp live, try to get to see the DVD. It’s innovative, clever, tight, witty, very funny and wonderfully entertaining and our Nathan is great in it! n

37

Plenty of eyebrows were shot higher than Yalta’s leg at the sight of her cutting-edge choreographies with her sultry curves that complement her moves, Urban Dance director and former youth worker Yalta Pons dismisses being just ‘the girl who can kick her leg sky-high’ and hopes to become an inspiration to her students, help them cement friendships, deal with the ups and downs of adolescence, and help dance add confidence and pride to life.

An alternative to traditional dance schools and academies, Urban Dance recruits anyone willing to ‘let their hair down and sweat their worries out’. Nobody is too young, too old, too skinny or too chubby — there’s a place and motivation for everyone to work hard and eventually steal the limelight.

There are no exams or syllabus but plenty of on-stage and public performances, workshops, opportunities to travel and perform internationally, as well as tutorship from qualified and experienced leaders.

Urban Dance is an active group performing all year round in a variety of locations. One day they can be on a tiny stage for a charity event in a local venue and the next in a 1000-seat theatre!

Yalta returned to Gibraltar in 1995 after a rocketing international career as a dancer and choreographer, and started her recreational dance group. Until she was allocated premises at Jumpers’ Bastion five years ago, she held rehearsals virtually anywhere — from rooftops to patios, and the only organisational headache was making sure everyone was informed where next.

Luckily, her partner Darion Figueredo is dedicated to the group’s philosophy too, so their private and professional lives can fuse into a never-ending creative process.

Furthermore, Yalta can count on her ‘right hand’ Jolene Gomez, contemporary and lyrical dance teacher, qualified judge and official choreographer for the Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics squad. She takes care of the technical side of dancing, using ground-breaking stretching with rope methods.

However, it hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Urban Dance, since its inception when dance in Gibraltar was synonymous with classic ballet only, and plenty of eyebrows were shot higher than Yalta’s leg at the sight of her cutting-edge choreographies.

Nowadays, thanks to the media popularity of commercial dance, which has allowed it to shed its stigma of subculture and attained its share of name and fame in the world of the performing arts, more and more kids want to imitate their video heroes’ alluring moves.

Thus the group has grown steadily, proud of being experimental, innovative, trend-setters ‘in touch with the world’, and harvesting ovation after standing ovation. innovative choreographies and performances Yalta is a one-woman band when it comes from the past decade and a half — with a few to public relations. She’s a busy bee networksurprises in store. ing and meeting up with producers willing to Younger than ever at 40 and lovely as ever book Urban Dance for commercial and charity

Yurban alta Pons legend When someone succeeds in making the most of her passion for 15 years, celebrating it cannot be other than a colourful, noisy, flashy, affair. Especially if her passion is a dance group with attitude!

So expect nothing but the best in entertainment at Urban Dance’s Gala Show — a one-night only extravaganza at St. Michael’s Cave on Friday 21st May. The show is a revival of the most

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

urban dance

by Elena Scialtiel

shows. Afternoons and evenings are dedicated to classes, both in Gibraltar and in Spain, where she witnesses a lot of budding talent, especially in boys.

From professionally trained dancer to manageress the leap is longer than a grand jeté, but Yalta wears her power suit over her tights and in the past decade she has built up a sound reputation for her group, tailoring performances to show-business demands.

And show business is an exciting world, Yalta confesses with a spark of nostalgia in her eyes, but so often frustrating. Don’t assume you won’t make it on stage if you aren’t beautiful enough, she warns — sometimes you’re scrapped for being too pretty and outshining the lead dancer!

While most chorus lines aim to feature lookalike dancers moving in synchrony, depleted of

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

their personality, Urban Dance values individuality and believes the visual effect is more true to life when every single voice is unique, like in an orchestra.

With so many excellent dance schools in Gibraltar, why should you join Urban Dance then?

Because every fitness level is welcome — Yalta

will bring out the Lord (or Lady) of the Dance in you — and most of all because it’s a tight circle of friends, who enjoy spending time together on and off stage.

Last but not least, because it is where Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino hangs out when she takes a break from being beautiful with a purpose. n

39

photography

history in

pictures Luis Mascarenhas

When you see the shop front from the street, you’d think that Luis Photo Studio at the south end of Main Street has been around since the 1800s — that’s the air around his shop from the hundreds of old black and white photos on sale, a true pictorial history of the Rock through photography.

Luis Mascarenhas, in fact has been there for a much more conservative 19 years, having set up the shop after joining the Gibraltar Photographic Society all those years ago.

“I’ve loved taking pictures of absolutely anything in Gibraltar since I was about 18, and eventually set myself up a little dark room at home to develop my own black and whites,” he explained how it all started.

As an old school photographer, he feels this is one of the downfalls of modern digital photography.

“I always enjoyed the handson process and the anticipation of how my images would come out.

I started to develop my own images before joining the society and am totally self taught. I couldn’t explain technically how to do most things with a camera actually, but I know what I’m doing and where I’m going.

“I am often asked to do wedding shoots and asked if I Photoshop the images. It’s not something I’ve learned, so you’ll find the vast majority of my images are all natural and real for what they are when I take the shot.

40

Europa Point in a storm in 2008

Lover’s Lane as it once was

“

although pictures in themselves tell a story of their own, we often come across people who will give us more information on a certain photo and give us more knowledge to pass on to interested customers too

”

“I suppose one of the best points from the digital era is the ability to check if someone’s eyes are closed and to be able to re-take the shot on the spot — I had that situation once when I was shooting on film, and took four shots to make sure.

When I came to develop them, the girl’s eyes were closed in all of them and there wasn’t much I could do about it.”

Apart from weddings and studio shots which he does on demand from dedicated area at the back of his shop, Luis’s main line is a collection of old photography of Gibraltar and he boasts a collection of over 100,000 images, with pictures dating back to the mid-1800s.

“It’s impossible to display them all, and often people come in looking for a specific image. We have some books they can browse through which have some of the most usual shots, but we have a vast alphabetical CD library, so it’s best to ask as we often have the shot on file.”

When Luis says ‘We’, he’s referring to his wife and himself. Although Marie doesn’t work for the shop, she loves to spend her free time immersing herself in Gibral-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

photography tar’s historical imagery. Apart from the vast stock in the shop, they have a giant library at home which they are slowly sifting through, digitising and cataloguing.

“She’s my PC,” he said fondly, “and really interested in the history which comes from the shots, so this whole aspect of old images is a mixture of business and pleasure in a hobby sense for us both.”

One of their largest collections is naval ships, and it’s also one of their biggest sellers at present.

“We have all sorts of people coming through the door. On one occasion we had an elderly gentleman of 92 visiting from the UK. He’d searched all over the UK for photos of the ship he had served on. He didn’t hold out much hope we’d have anything, but thought it was worth a try.

“It certainly was as we happened to have a shot in our archives. It was quite incredible to see the emotion when we gave him the image and it is definitely gratifying to be able to give this sort of service, even though it doesn’t happen every day.

“On another occasion we had a gentleman come in looking for four separate ships which he’d been assigned to during the war. His story was quite incredible, as he’d been reassigned from each ship either the day before or within 48 hours of it being sunk.

“These stories are something which we hold on to, as although pictures in themselves tell a story of their own, we often come across people who will give us more information on a certain photo and give us more knowledge to pass on to interested customers too.”

We were interested to know where such a large collection of images came from: “A lot of research and spending a lot in buying originals for the most

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

cases,” Luis told us. “Although sometimes someone will call in with a set of old photos of their own to ask if we can clean them up. This is another service we offer, and normally we will offer one of our own prints in exchange for a copy which we can use. More often than not, the client will be so pleased with the re-touched version that he’ll leave the original for us to use as we want and just keep the new copy.

“Again, these types of clients are a wealth of information, and although we have a massive range ourselves, out of a set of 10 photos a client might bring in to show us, often eight or nine of them will be new to us. There’s so much out there which we still haven’t seen it’s quite incredible.”

Luis insists that he enjoys taking pictures of absolutely anything in Gibraltar.

“There’s so much here to take and find. I was a little put out by one person who suggested that everything to be shot in Gibraltar had been done and he felt it was better to go across to Spain to take pictures. I have no problem with that in itself, but there’s always a different shot to take here on the Rock and for both myself and Marie the subject has become a passion.

“One thing I do try to make a point of is when an area is about to be built up or changed in any way, to get down there beforehand to take some pictures to document the before and after.”

So if you’re looking for a particular historic image and can’t find it — even if you’ve paid Luis a visit in the past — his library is ever growing, so just call in and ask, you never know. You may be in luck. n The studio can be found at 329 Main Street opposite Ince’s Hall or you can call ahead to check for a particular photo on 200 50710.

41

profile

Living the Life of Louis Louis Vasquez, OBE, JP, 85, is of the opinion that he is a fairly average Gibraltarian who, apart from one short connection with the Gibraltar Commonwealth Party, has not been affiliated to any political party but has always tried to his best to improve the quality of life of his compatriots.

As will be seen this is misplaced modesty as he has played a full role in the life of the Rock without generating any hostility or envy which is a rare accomplishment in today’s polarised political times.

42

Due to World War II Louis’ education was somewhat disjointed with time spent at Mount St Mary’s, the Jesuit boarding school near Sheffield, the Christian Brothers schools in Gibraltar and Tangier, and Millfield College. His Gibraltarian contemporaries at Mount St Mary’s included Julio Mifsud, Charlie Stagnetto, Lewis Stagnetto, Hector Capurro, Arturo Ferrary and Tony Guetta.

During his youth he remembers spending much time in Campamento until the start of the Civil War in 1936. Memories remain of Spanish naval engagements in the Bay of Gibraltar and hordes of Spanish refugees from both sides of the conflict pouring into the safe haven of Gibraltar. Many families of the employees at his father’s tobacco factory were sheltered there.

At the start of World War II his father sent the family, consisting of his mother and five siblings, over to Tangier to stay with an aunt. His brother, Charles, stayed on the Rock.

Tragically his mother died before the end of the war. He remained in Tangier until 1943 when he returned to Gibraltar and volunteered to serve with the Gibraltar Defence Force alongside his brother Alfred.

He found Arturo Ferrary, an old friend, had already joined up.

Willie Thomson was his battery commander, with Charlie Norton second in command and Bob Peliza the Battery Sergeant Major. This was the start of a close association with what was to become the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, an association which remains to this day.

It was an honour and privilege for him to march with the veterans at last year’s 70th anniversary parade.

He feels the time spent with the Colours was a valuable experience as it enabled Gibraltarians to meet fellow Gibraltarians from every social strata. It is his opinion that National Service was a key ingredient in the formation of a Gibraltarian identity.

In 1958 he was commissioned in the newly formed Territorial force at the time when the Gibraltar Regiment changed from Artillery to Infantry.

In 1970 he was appointed Chairman of the Military Service (Hardship) Committee and the Conscientious Objectors Appeals Committee.

If a Conscientious Objector was successful in his appeal this did not mean he did not have to serve six months’ National Service. Instead he would spend the time helping out at the military hospital or some other non-combatant role.

As expected he approves whole heartedly of the decision to start the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Cadet Corps which he is delighted to see is oversubscribed.

Although his brother Alfred was 15 months older they had the telepathy and empathy of twins and this has always remained; their lives were arranged that they did most things together.

In 1945 he was demobbed and returned to England to catch up with his academic studies at Millfield College where the headmaster was the legendary Jack Meyer. Sport was very much on the Millfield agenda and Louis captained the 1st XV at rugby football and played hockey for the West of England Wanderers.

In 1946 he went up to Trinity College, Cambridge to read Law, whilst his brother Alfred spent a year at Trinity Dublin before joining him in 1947 also to read Law. As ex-servicemen they were on a two year rather than three year degree course but he stayed an extra year to allow Alfred to catch up. During the three years he played hockey for the College and played in a Varsity trial.

He remembers with affection the hospitality of the Catholic Chaplain, Monsignor Alfred Gilbey.

In 1946 he experienced a horrific accident when returning to Gibraltar from Cambridge by train; he was on board one of the trains involved in

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE • • MAY MAY 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR

profile

interviewed by Mike Brufal the head on collision on the MadridAlgeciras line. There were a number of fatalities and it was a bitterly cold night. Help was slow in coming and all the survivors could do was to give comfort to the wounded and build bonfires to keep out the cold.

This near death experience made a deep and lasting impression.

The Bar finals were taken together in 1949 along with Louis Triay. He decided to gain some experience by working for six months in a solicitors’ office and then another six months in barristers’ chambers.

When he was called to the Bar in London he found the six months in the solicitors’ office caused him to lose a year’s seniority.

Louis returned to Gibraltar in 1951 and started practising with his brother Alfred as ‘Vasquez and Vasquez’. A year later he married Yvonne Belotti and they have four girls and a boy. Later Harry King joined the law firm which became ‘King and Vasquez’.

The Queen visited the Rock in 1954 and Louis, wishing to give something back to the community, became a special constable for two weeks and used to patrol the streets using a walkie-talkie to communicate with the Police headquarters.

In the same year Louis was invited

by Sergio Triay senior to join the newly formed Gibraltar Commonwealth Party. Sergio died soon afterwards and his son, JJ, took over the leadership and although he won a seat in the 1956 Legislative Council the party died a natural death.

Its members included his brother Alfred, Louis Bruzon, JE Triay, Guy Stagnetto and Emilio Peire.

In 1962 Louis’ father bought the Povedano Tobacco Company, and asked him to leave the law practice to join him in running the now expanded company. Alfred stayed on a few months to wind up the practice. This was not the best time to run a tobacco business as the confrontation with General Franco was beginning to rear its ugly head which meant reduced tobacco sales. In 1969 the closure of the frontier sealed the end of the tobacco company and it was necessary to diversify.

Alfred went back to practise law.

Louis started Cemats, a building materials company which some time later merged with Saccone and Speed with the formation of

Amalgamated Builders Merchants in which his family had a one third share. He ran this company until retirement in 1989 by which time it had grown into a successful and profitable business.

Major Bob Peliza won the election in 1969 and much to Louis’s surprise the new Chief Minister offered him the position of Mayor and Speaker of the House of Assembly.

After due cogitation he told Bob he did not wish to accept. The Chief Minister had no hesitation in then offering the position to Alfred as in his view there was nothing to chose between the two brothers in ability and integrity. It was as if they were identical twins.

Louis had no wish for a high profile appointment but if asked to do something and thought a contribution could be made then he would do it to the best of his ability. This lead to a remarkable list How things have changed: the entire Gibraltar Bar!

Louis and Alfred at their joint 80th birthday party

“The new airport and roads are essential for a modern Gibraltar. Who wants to have to wait to cross the airfield when a plane lands or takes off?” of activities.

In 1965 he was appointed member of the Port Charges Committee and a director of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce while in 1970 he became chairman of the Housing Allocation Committee (the committee made recommendations but Government which took the decisions). In 1973 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Gibraltar Magistrates’ Association. In 1980

Louis with his extended family

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• MAY MAY 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR

came the award of Officer of the British Empire for services to the community.

In the late ’60s he joined the Order of St John whose charitable work is carried out by the St John’s Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and the St John Ambulance and after many years became chairman and was appointed a Knight of St John.

Louis is a committed member of the Catholic Church and religion has been an important part of his life. Again he never volunteered but when asked to do a task or join a committee he usually accepted.

Yvonne, his wife of 57 years, is a Dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and was installed some 20 years ago by Archbishop Mickie Bowen. Louis is a Knight of the same Order.

Louis looks back on a contented life and considers that Gibraltar has

progressed enormously since World War II. Now all Gibraltarians are proud to be called Gibraltarians. He remembers times when he has heard of Gibraltarians trying to pass themselves off as either English or British.

When asked he always says that although he is a Gibraltarian, first and foremost he is a British Gibraltarian.

He feels the latest Constitution has reached as far as can be progressed short of independence.

Although in one sense Gibraltar will always be a fortress in one form or another, the Government has moved with the times and has developed many other spheres including the well respected financial centre.

He feels the Government and the Financial Services Commission must keep this standard and unblemished reputation. Gibraltar must never sit back and imagine perfection has been reached.

The interview was ended with these ringing words: “The new airport and roads are essential for a modern Gibraltar.

Who wants to have to wait to cross the airfield whenever a plane lands or takes off?

“Gibraltar’s education is frankly as good as can be got anywhere in the world. This is tribute to all the teachers and the amount of local involvement in all aspects of education.

“The care of the long term infirm and the elderly is second to none and the number of voluntary agencies is filled with volunteers. The amount per head given to charity is amongst the highest in the western developed world.

“I cannot imagine any better city in the world in which to live; Gibraltar has everything.” ■

43 43

charity

Gibsights

fresh ideas from Gibraltar’s

young entrepreneurs After the success of last year’s Young Enterprise, 2010 sees five young companies competing for the finals to be held on 10th May at the John Mackintosh Hall.

Each company has been set up by a group of students under the watchful eye of their Link teachers and business advisors as they prepare their products and launch themselves as young entrepreneurs. The winning company goes on to represent Gibraltar in the Yorkshire and Humber regional finals in the United Kingdom.

Maria Antonia Brooks of the Gibraltar College is the local Young Enterprise co-ordinator and this year the scheme has been opened up to all AS/A2 students at the college.

“Currently we have students doing Business, Psychology, ICT, Art & Design, Travel & Tourism at AS levels,” Maria told us.

“We also have a group who are doing their GCSEs in Business, ICT, Leisure & Tourism and Health Care who were interested and they recruited some students from Westside studying AS.” The five companies which are competing MiniChef

this year are: Made Easy This company gets a commission on sales of surplus construction materials. Construction materials include flooring, bathroom units and doors which are stored in Sharrock Shand’s construction sites. A website is being set up and a catalogue will be constantly updated and distributed. Customers will need to drive to the site at a prearranged time and inspect the goods before taking them.

They have already had a Saturday sale which was very successful.

EcoBooks want to raise awareness, amongst our young community, on how they can help the environment

products to individuals and organisations. A fraction of their proceeds will go towards the GHA, aiding the A&E Department. They took the opportunity to sell their products at the launch in early March.

EcoBooks EcoBooks have written a short story for young children on the topic of recycling. It is based in Gibraltar, using the recycling bins recently introduced by the government, as the basis of their story. The aim of the company is obviously to gain profits but they also want to raise awareness, amongst our young community, on how they can help the environment.

They were the first company to start trading and their first sale which took place at Ocean Village was also very successful. They secured a table to sell during Saturdays or whenever there is an event at Ocean Village.

Fresh

Fresh Fresh aims to improve Gibraltar’s quality of life by publicising the benefits of leading a hygienic and healthy lifestyle, including how to prevent the spread of transferable diseases such as swine flu. Apart from advocating the importance of a balanced diet and exercising, Fresh will be promoting the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers and related hygienic

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

charity EcoBooks

Made Easy

Link Teachers and business Advisors

MiniChef This company has also written a book on healthy eating for young children. The story is promoting healthy eating through a story based in Gibraltar visiting touristic sites aimed at a young audience. If children are taught from an early age the importance of eating well this will have positive repercussions in the future. The book does this in a fun way. It has story-telling, a healthy message and it’s full of fun and games. They included a competition for First and Middles Schools to take part and the winning menus (First, Second & Third) have been included in the book. They had Vicky Garcia Bishop from Victoria’s Creative Catering and Belinda Mortell a dietician to be their judges.

GibSights GibSights has the objective of offering a new and innovative product here in Gibraltar that will enhance what Gibraltar can offer to the tourist industry. The company has done this by developing an MP3 Walking Tour of Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

which includes its main attractions in the town and upper Rock too.

The routes and information on the MP3 have been approved both by the Gibraltar Tourist Board and the Museum to ensure the highest level of accuracy to the content and to provide great listening both for tourists and any one locally too who would like to find out a little

“

When Ken approached me two years ago with this scheme I saw the opportunities this would give my students

”

more about the local history.

Maria explained how the Young Enterprise Scheme is growing.

“When Ken approached me two years ago with this scheme I saw the opportunities this would give my students and, at the time, I was the Business & Social Science Co-ordinator at the College so as it was all new to me I only offered it to the business students.

“At the end of the year I revised it and saw the potential YE Company Programme had not only for business students but for anyone with entrepreneurial abilities.”

So since this year, the Young Enterprise is open to all students studying AS or A2 at the Gibraltar College, and with a wider range of students studying subjects across the board it will be interesting to see which of these five companies comes up with the winning entry this month to represent Gibraltar in the UK towards the end of the summer. n

45

Tool Hire

by Brian McCann

Sally Welch

Wyse Hire

The Right Stuff...

“Our employees are the core of the business. They are all very versatile,” says Sally Welch of Wyse Hire; “and that’s the secret of our success.”

“We have also won a Highly-Commended certificate from the Hire Association, which covers hire companies throughout Europe,” she added, as further evidence of the service and efficiency that she and her staff provide.

Sally, who founded Wyse Hire in 1996, is a multitasker herself, and doesn’t hesitate to turn her hand to whatever is necessary in the business whenever required.

She originally comes from the town of Louth in Lincolnshire, but now she is approaching her 25th year on the Rock and is looking forward to gaining Gibraltar citizenship later this year.

“I’ve been here for the majority of my life, and I consider it as home,” she told me as we toured

46

the clean and tidy premises at New Harbours.

Clean and tidy, yes, but packed with just about very type of power tool you could think of, all perfectly maintained by Wyse Hire’s two

“

If you don’t keep up to date with your products and your methods your business will just fade away and die — especially in such a small market place as Gibraltar

”

mechanics and ready to go into action.

Generators and compressors are in one area, while hand-held power tools fill another room, for example.

The list of products for hire or for sale appears to be almost endless, but Sally has a completely comprehensive website which not only lists every available item but also shows the hire prices under each photo. It’s all very clear, although she told me that some business associates had been aghast that she should have the prices on display, but she firmly believes that is the right approach — and I think all customers of all businesses would support that. Not many people like going into shops where no prices are displayed; I personally always feel it means the goods are very expensive, or, perhaps worse, that the shopkeeper is going to weigh you up to see how much he or she can get out of you before telling you their price. Not so with Sally, every price is there to be seen, and if competitors can also see them, that’s fine by her too.

Sally is more than just someone who runs a smallish business; she is permanently progressive, to the extent that Wyse Hire obtained an Investors in People award two years ago, at the same time that the Royal Gibraltar Police obtained theirs. The basis of the award is that the company or organisation believes in ongoing training for the staff and caring about them as people.

“It’s my passion to keep up to date,” she explained. “If you don’t keep up to date with your products and your methods your business will just fade away and die — especially in such a small market place as Gibraltar.”

She said that during Wyse Hire’s 14 years in action she has taken courses with Durham University’s Business School, in the company of such local giants as Gibtelecom, and some of her staff have been to Britain on courses.

With the local building boom over, Sally keeps everything running thanks to her loyal band of customers, over half of them being contractors in various specialities as well as the shipping industry, along with a large number of dedicated do-it-yourself householders.

Always good-humoured, one thing Sally complains about is the fact so much local work goes to Spanish contractors. It’s not because they are Spanish, though: “It’s just that they contribute absolutely nothing to the local economy;” she said, sadly. “They bring all their own labour, their own subcontractors, their materials, their machines, everything. They don’t even buy a sandwich for lunch.”

Skip rental is a prominent sector of Wyse Hire, supplying builders and householders with a choice of small, medium or large containers; the fixed prices (shown on the constantly updated website) include delivery, collection, and a week’s hire. A touch that sums up Wyse Hire’s thoughtfulness in customer service is that not only can you order your skip via the website, but you can also print off the essential permission application form, which can then be completed and faxed to the government.

You might not think of skip hire as an interesting line of work, but Sally loves it: “You meet all sorts of people and you’re asked to get rid of all sorts of things.” Skip hire brought her onto another point — her biggest expense

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Property is just moving around the Rock. “I can lose a driver for two hours because of the traffic,” she said, “and delivering skips can often be a nightmare.” No doubt it’s an additional nightmare for a business such as Wyse Hire which takes pride in its efficiency and reliability in deliveries.

Everything that is for hire can also be bought, usually only taking about a week to arrive, whilst many other items, such as overalls and helmets are always available to purchase; and Wyse Hire is also the agent for the full range of Hilti tools and materials.

If you do any sort of heavy work, from the Trafalgar Road improvements to making an extra-strong fixture to a wall, and everything in between (and beyond), have a look at www. wysehire.gi. If you don’t know them already, you’ll be amazed at how much there is available. n Wyse Hire’s main premises is at 67 Harbours Deck, New Harbours (so you can park at the door), the telephone numbers are 20047171 or 57533000; or you can email wysehire@gibraltar.gi.

Everything that is for hire can also be bought, usually only taking about a week to arrive, whilst many other items, such as overalls and helmets are always available

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

technology and DIY You may well be still moaning about the record amount of rain we’ve had, especially if it has infiltrated your home and you’re trying to tackle damp, repairs and repainting.

Believe it or not, those of you who who are lucky enough to be the proud owners of an iPhone can download a free ‘app’ from the iTunes store which will help you analyse your problem and give you advice on how best to remedy the situation long term.

Apple are not actually the people behind the software, but The Paint Quality Institute is — a subsidiary of one of the largest chemical companies in the world, DOW.

You can use the program to learn how to solve and prevent paint or surface problems from reocurring with just a simple download.

For quick and simple access just visit www. paintquality.com and click on the Paint Remedy app. n

The app called Paint Rememagdy is a free and easy-to-use handy tool that allows both do-it-yourselfers and professional painters to identify and correct old paint problems before picking up a brush or roller. Debbie Zimmer, PQI’s paint and colour expert states, “By simply gliding across the images or scrolling through the paint problem list, homeowners can instantly learn what steps to take to ensure a long-lasting quality paint job, both inside and out.”

The program allows you to see actual images of paint or surface problems as well as helping you to identify interior and exterior paint problems with a simple image view.

47

ah

IN GIBRALTAR

real estate Estate Agents • Lettings • Property Consultants Valuations • Surveys • Property Management

PROPERTY DIRECTORY

1 The Boardwalk, Tradewinds Tel: 200 47777

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

Unit F2A ICC, Gibraltar Tel: 200 49494 email: info@propertyworld.gi

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

www.propertyworld.gi

S.LEVY

M.B.E., E.D., J.P., F.R.I.C.S., F.R.S.H.

AUCTIONEER, ESTATE AGENT & VALUER

commercial interiors

For Property Advice, Contact Us

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

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

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

chartered surveyors construction

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

homes & interiors

Portman Ltd General Suppliers

Hire & Sale of Portable Cabin Units (Office, Toilet Units etc)

home insurance

Unit F17 Europa Business Centre PO Box 476, Gibraltar Tel: 200 73119 Fax: 200 45008 E-mail: portman@gibtelecom.net

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

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

marine services

property services

TARIK

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

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

• General Surfacing • Building • Building Renovations • Demolition • Painting & Decorating • Roadworks • Civil Engineering • Asphalt/Aggregate supplier • Comprehensive Plant Holding For prompt & competitively priced tenders contact AMCO P.O. Box 382 Tel: 200 40840 Fax: 200 40841

waste management Curtain Makers Home Interiors Fabrics Bedding Bring your own fabric or choose from our range The Fashion House Ltd 85 Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 52938 E-mail: thefashionhouse@gibtelecom.net Fax: 200 52988

48 48

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

Environment and Waste Management Service E.W.M.S. Governor’s Cottage Europa Advance Road Gibraltar Tel: 200 44220 Fax: 200 44221 E-mail: ewmsgib@gibtelecom.net

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY

property

managing your investment

by Justin Bray

One of the most noticeable changes in Gibraltar’s property market in recent years has been the significant rise in the number of local and international landlords, and with it, the need for professional lettings and management agents has increased to unprecedented levels.

Life for most of us has never been busier and with many landlords not having the time or experience required to manage a property or simply living too far away, it often makes sense to appoint a company with the necessary expertise to manage your property and ensure the tenancies run smoothly. It is not always the case that a tenancy goes without a hitch though, and every once in a while problems can arise, and these can be as diverse as boilers breaking in the middle of the night to tenants unreasonably withholding rent. It is at times like these when you will be rewarded for having taken the time in carefully selecting your letting and management agent.

Although many estate agents offer letting and property management there is a vast difference in the service levels and quality offered locally and it is worthwhile establishing with your intended agent exactly the services they include in their management service.

A good lettings agent will take care of everything with the property, keeping you informed of tenancy issues and contact you when there is a problem that needs your consent. A good lettings agent will also have a comprehensive and pro-active marketing strategy which will help ensure your property is seen by as many prospective tenants as possible, and exposing it to far more people than you could probably achieve on an individual basis.

Good letting agencies will also conduct reference checks on prospective tenants – by weeding out the potentially problematic tenants and leaving you with a selection of the good ones. Every landlord knows the problem of having a tenant who causes issues, so if you can help to remove the ones that might cause problems later down the road, it will hopefully help to make sure your relationship with your tenant remains positive.

Before a tenancy commences it is also important to itemise the exact contents remaining in the property, together with their condition, so that at the end of the tenancy the inventory can be verified and any damage noted. In the UK, there are a number of companies who specialise solely in preparing inventories, but a local managing agent should undertake this often time consuming but vital service on your behalf at no additional cost.

A professional letting agent will also be responsible for preparing the rental agreement, rent collection and the deposit administration.

All too often though this is where many of

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

the new agents through lack of experience or knowledge fail in their duties to their landlords.

The rental agreement should be comprehensive and clearly define each party’s respective duties and rights so as to avoid any unnecessary delays or confusion in the unlikely event of a disagreement between the landlord and the tenant. This will not necessarily guarantee a tenancy without issues, but if you choose the right managing agent you can rest at ease, safe in the knowledge that your property is achieving the best possible return for you with minimal effort on your part.

If you want high calibre tenants, reference checks, highly concentrated marketing of your property, accompanied viewings, a professional management service including, rental document preparation, rent collection, maintenance, advice on rent reviews, inventory preparation and your own personal lettings advisor, you’ll need to think carefully about contacting a letting agency with a track record for efficiency and reliability.■ Text by Justin Bray, Bray Properties, The Boardwalk, Tradewinds. Tel: 200 47777 email: lettings@ brayproperties.com

The rental agreement should be comprehensive and clearly define each party’s respective duties and rights

49

bold contrasts in colour and texture at the Filomena House show flat

ind W throw caution to the

Over the past few years, home design has revolved around a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Light colours, carefully chosen textures and furnishings which give a light, airy and spacious feel to your pad.

50

Towards the end of 2009, all this started to change and now well into 2010 it’s a given fact that interior design trends have swung 180 degrees with sharp, bold lines and plenty of contrast. The design of 2010 makes a statement about who you are and what you like.

Grey has taken over from beige as the main colour to work around.

It may sound dull, but it opens a wealth of colour combinations which just wouldn’t otherwise work. Try it with a striking magenta or tangerine and you’ll see what we mean, and mixed with shiny surfaces from modern stainless steel, or mirrored furniture you can create subtle reflection of colour and light.

These trends are all very well,

but they do bring an element of risk to your design. Being bold in your design and sticking your neck out can work brilliantly, but in many situations you’ll find you need to at least bend the rules of good design, if not break them entirely. The old adage of knowing the rules to break them is just as relevant to modern design as it always has been, so it’s important to know your starting point and making the right decisions to emphasise the mood you are creating without going over the top.

With colour you’ll want to look at a two-tone contrast of light and dark, with a possible dash of a third complementary colour, but no more. If you are working around existing furniture, take this as your base and coordinate your colour and style from here.

There’s not much point in deciding from the outset on a striking mix of light grey and deep purple to realise afterwards that it’s just not working with the Mexican pine (although it might do if you

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Home Interiors Create subtle reflections of colour and light with modern stainless steel furniture go about it cleverly).

It’s always good to have a home which tells your visitors a little about yourself. The bolder you go, the more it will say. If you are classically minded, you may not wish to go the whole hog, but just incorporating a fresh design statement to one room or even just a corner of the lounge can create a conversation piece. Just a splash of colour or pattern can make a big difference.

The really interesting thing about interior design this year is that old is still in too. You won’t want to throw out the coffee table because of a couple of scratches or a mug ring or two — these are elements which tell a story, and as this year’s trend is very much about making a statement, apparently these are perfect elements to fit in to your design. You may just want to pop down to the Antique store on Irish Town if you haven’t stained any of your furniture yet, just to see if there’s something there which will do the job.

But more seriously, antiques are still in and again are a way of breaking the monotony of modern

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

style. A touch of hand crafted furniture or even an ornamental lamp is just another way of breaking the rules — but as always, carefully.

2010 is the year of the mix, carefully matched there are a thousand ways you can combine individual elements, textures and colours, and whilst wallpaper is back in and is nearly an essential part of any local design shop’s offerings, it seems that the latest trend of wallpapered ceilings has yet to hit the Rock — we may be wrong though. The patterned and textured ceiling is yet another way that international designers are breaking the mould and the rules, but you might want to check out design magazines in the shops and online too to see exactly what works before doing anything drastic which you might regret.

Be bold, it’s the way to go in your home this year, and as we’ve said in other articles don’t be scared to experiment. Just remember you’ll be living with it, so if in doubt, talk to one of the local interior design companies to see how they can help you make the right daring decisions. n

Natural forms and mirrors in perfect harmony Filomena House show flat

51

profile

John Ochello

the White Bomber

For a decade, at the height of his career as a heavyweight boxer, John Ochello was the toast of Gibraltar’s pubs and clubs. With seven fellow members of the Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Club he had returned from an international boxing tournament in the Swiss city of Lucerne in 1951 to be lauded and feted in a way today reserved for international pop idols, football’s super-stars or Gibraltar’s own Miss World. And it was his renown and popularity as a boxer — he switched from amateur status soon after his return from Switzerland — that won him support of Gibraltar’s small business community when he launched a one-man Christmas venture that was to develop into the Rock’s annual “Three Kings” procession.

52 52

by Peter Schirmer The Gibraltarian boxers’ successes were particularly important for, although World War II was over, the lives of local citizens were still largely constrained by the demands of the military and the employment offered by the Royal Naval dockyard.

“People were looking for something that was truly Gibraltarian – not English, or Military or Royal Navy, and certainly not something associated with the war. Most of us wanted to forget that,” a contemporary recalls. “As Gibraltar gradually regained its civilian feet and refugees slowly returned to the Rock... from Ireland, England, the West Indies... we needed something, someone of our own to be proud of…”

They found that symbol in John Ochello.

“I was just one of the team, a heavyweight and not particularly singled out from the others when we returned,” Ochello recalls. “But just to have been part of that team and to believe that Gibraltar was showing the world what we could do was something we all felt specially proud of.”

Today, confined by age and illness to a chair within reach of the phone that provides his only link with his scattered family, Ochello is forgotten by all but a few who recall his days of boxing glory. Nor in recent decades has there been any acknowledgement of his later role as a collector and distributor of toys to the Rock’s less fortunate children — the true civic grandparent of Gibraltar’s annual Three Kings ceremonies.

Soon after the Gibraltar boxers returned from Switzerland, Ochello was persuaded to turn professional and over the next 11 years fought in more than 50 heavyweight bouts — of which 24 were championship fights in Spain, Morocco and Portugal. His opponents were often heavier and taller than the stocky Gibraltarian – “but I had a good pair of hands… and I never forgot the early advice of my father who told me before my first fight with a much taller boxer; ‘Just hit him in the kitchen’.” And Ochello gestures to his stomach.

And ‘hitting them in the kitchen’ became synonymous with Ochello’s style of boxing as he continued to punish and beat bigger and heavier opponents, earning for himself the nickname “The White Bomber” in the process.

“I think the first time anyone called me that was when a trainer and promoter called Abdel Tref took me to Portugal to fight in the hippodrome in Lisbon.”

It was as the ‘White Bomber’, too, that he defeated Alan McKenzie who had been a sparring partner to the great Freddie Mills.

“Before the war my father had been a professional wrestler, and I suppose that by choosing to become a boxer I was following in his footsteps,” Ochello recalls. “And I started to practice boxing early on. I can remember that even before we were evacuated to England at the beginning of the war I used to practice punching the brass balls on the bedposts in my parents’ home. “ But all that was half a century ago; younger generations of the Rock’s men — and women — have found other heroes among the gliterrati of pop stars and footballers; and ‘The White Bomber’, as Ochello was known, is forgotten by all but a few of his former fans. Now in his 80s, he cuts a lonely figure as he sits in his cramped accommodation in a ground-floor apartment on Glacis Estate… “just waiting to die”, as he puts it.

Rheumy-eyed and mobile only with the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

profile

r aid of the zimmer frame that stands beside the armchair in which he spends much of his day, and the electric wheelchair ‘parked’ at the foot of his bed the White Bomber’s life-line is the telephone on which he speaks regularly — sometimes daily — to his six children, now scattered throughout Britain and Australia.

“I nearly went off to settle in Australia once, myself,” he recalls. “But while I didn’t mind living in England which is only a couple of hours’ flying time from Gibraltar, Australia is far too far away from the Rock. And this is my home.

It’s where I want to die and be buried...

“I was evacuated in 1939 as a 16-year-old nonessential worker,” he recalls. “And I still sometimes wonder whether the whole evacuation thing wasn’t just a ruse by Britain to get rid of us Gibraltarians altogether and replace us with another population — this one of pure English blood.

And even though they didn’t manage to drown us during the evacuation process, they didn’t want us to come back after the war was over…

“We survived the 17-day voyage from Gibraltar to Milford Haven by the grace of God. Our ship, the SS Baha Rastan was what was known in the merchant navy as a ‘rust bucket’ and the slowest ship in the convoy. For most of the voyaged we lagged far behind the other ships with their escort of destroyers.”

The ship’s only armament was a small anti-aircraft gun, manned by a uniformed Royal Naval officer and the only part of the voyage which the 16-year-old Ochello enjoyed was helping carry ammunition to the ack-ack gun when barrels were thrown overboard as targets for the gunnery practice.

“When we left to join the waiting convoy it was in such a hurry — a case of ‘Go… Go… Go’ — that they didn’t even have time to bring proper rations on board so for most of the crossing we subsisted on salted cod and large tins of ‘dog biscuits’ [‘hard tack’ iron rations] which we dunked in our tea to make them edible,” Ochello remembers. “And the tea was pretty awful, too — brewed from water that was red from the rust of the containers.”

There was a wooden box on deck with a hole in it for a toilet seat, but there were no facilities to go to the toilet below decks and most of the elderly people were unable to climb up to use the open air facilities so that the dirt and stench in which they had to make the voyage became worse as the days at sea dragged on.

“But we finally reached Milford Haven and then sailed on to Swansea where they put me on a train to London.”

In London Ochello was given a job in a munitions factory in Shepherds Bush where, along with all the other workers, he did his stints of extra duty at night — stationed on the roof of the factory keeping a look-out for fires started by incendiary bombs during the Blitz.

“Each day on my way to work I walked past the main fire station in Kensington High Street

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

wartime experience. He said I was entitled to a medal and that as soon as he returned to London he would arrange it. And so he did; and a couple of weeks later it arrived, special delivery along with the Home Secretary’s commendation.”

The medal, pinned to the lapel of the Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Club blazer which he bought almost 60 years ago, is proudly displayed, hanging outside the wardrobe which, with a large double bed, dominates the small lonely room of a half-forgotten hero.

During night-watch duties, the 17-year-old Ochello “kept warm by shadow boxing and doing the sort of footwork exercises I knew I

would need later as a boxer.” And he would “swap punches” and “have a go at some fancy footwork” with a fellow amateur who was a member of the same team as Ochello when the latter volunteered for extra war-time fire service.

As with many other Gibraltar families, their post-war repatriation was long and unnecessarily protracted. “But when I finally got back to the Rock, I joined the Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association and started to train seriously. There were a lot of older, more experienced boxers who were members of the Association and they gave generously of their time and their experience. I remember some very happy times.” And his eyes are drawn to the GABA jacket which he wore with such pride as part of the team in Switzerland.

Ochello’s successes in the professional ring took him to venues throughout southern Spain — where he met the tough Andalusian champion three times — and defeated him twice. “You meet some very fine people who are fighters and he was one of them…”

But as Ochello’s fame and prowess as the White Bomber grew, so the demand for him to appear on the professional bills declined... particularly in Morocco and Portugal. The reason was simple — promoters were protesting at the fact the White Bomber KO-ed his opponents too quickly... and the audiences wanted to watch bouts that would last.

Ochello, by now married and with a young family, took part-time jobs as a bouncer in some of Gibraltar’s nightclubs — and bought himself a taxi. “I used to dress up in this rather formal uniform,” and he pulls out a photograph to illustrate it, “and go out on the tenders to the ships lying in the Bay or in the Harbour to take orders for taxis that the passengers wanted when they came ashore.

The White Bomber “But I was not happy about the in his fighting form way Gibraltar was developing in a social sense and decided with my wife that we would take our family back to England. There I was fortunate enough to get a job with London Transport as a bus driver based in Chiswick.”

For the next 13 years the White Bomber drove a Routemaster bus in London — “the old one with the pre-selective gearbox which was quite tricky until you mastered it,” he explains proudly. But back problems partly caused by his occupation as a driver (but also the result of a few fight injuries, he admits) led to his early retirement.

However, so pleased were London transport with his conduct as a driver — there was never a complaint, nor did he miss a day’s work through illness — that they awarded him an extra ten and after a few months I joined the brigade there years onto his pension.

“The kids were ready to make their own way as a volunteer fireman — and it was for wartime services there that I got my Defence Medal... in the world and both my wife and I wanted to though it eventually came only five years ago. come home to Gibraltar. So we did. And sadly, I didn’t even know I was entitled to one — and within a couple of months she died.”

That was more than 20 years ago... Now he I hadn’t enlisted in the fire brigade to win any medals — but during his visit to Gibraltar a few lives alone, with his memories, a few medals years back I was telling a nephew about my and his photographs. n

as Ochello’s fame and prowess as the White Bomber grew, so the demand for him to appear on the professional bills declined... particularly in Morocco and Portugal

53

Classics on the rock

A touch of class, everyone admires it, everyone respects it and everyone would like to have it. We are talking about a certain kind of class — that of classic cars, which we will have the pleasure of seeing on parade for us in Gibraltar on 22nd and 23rd May. The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Associationbegan in September 2001 with the general aim of ensuring Gibraltar’s classic cars would be saved for posterity, and to provide a base for enthusiasts, from which they could collectively enjoy their cars and show them off for the enjoyment of others.

Public Relations Officer John Ritchie, was keen to tell us about the association’s upcoming events and excursions, together with giving an insight into the life of a classic car owner.

“If you don’t mind a bit of grease on your hands occasionally, while tinkering with a trustworthy engine, whose only demand will be a bit of TLC, and if you don’t mind foregoing the comforts of air-con or power-steering for some of the time, you could get yourself a classic. You won’t need to give up your modern car, which society demands we have. But the joy of driving in convoy with other classics and the odd vintage car is a priceless experience,” says John.

“Everywhere you drive to, and anywhere you

54

stop, people will approach to admire your trusty steed and ask about its history, or they will tell you stories of the one they owned themselves, so many years ago.

“These cars require a very distinct driving style, very different from the way you handle your modern car. Changing down a gear may require you to double-declutch or at least to feel the gear in. Driving becomes a leisurely experience,” he added.

Don’t go away with the idea, however, that everything has to be slow and dreamy — it depends on the classic you choose. With a 1968 Austin Healy 3000, for example, you’d have

“

picked for yourself three litres of brute force with no traction control and no ABS, just a no frills, six-cylinders-in-line engine, fed by twin SU carburettors and lots of wind in your hair.

And the opportunities for wind in your hair are many. The association arranges outings, from one to three days, in Gibraltar and Spain and this year for the first time they ventured to Morocco.

Some events are repeated each year and one, which has proved popular over time, is the December outing to Spain, often alluded to as the ‘Polverones Run’. The participants normally rendezvous at a venta where all enjoy a light breakfast before starting on their way to Medina Sidonia. On arrival, the cars are normally displayed in the town square, where the locals come to enjoy the sight of so many classics of varied designs and nationality. Amongst them names like Citroen, Morris, Jaguar, and Austin which conjure up memories for many.

The event is always timed to coincide with a festival known as ‘La Jornada de Puertas Abierta’ when religious and municipal buildings and even private homes are open for all to visit.

After lunch, many take the opportunity to visit the polverones factory at the top of the hill or buy delicacies in the local shops before preparing for the drive home. Other trips have included Ronda and Puerto Santa Maria.

In Gibraltar, where it is not possible to engage in such long runs, events such as barbecues and coffee meetings are organised. There are two dates set aside — the first Sunday of the

with a 1968 Austin Healy 3000, for example, you’d have picked for yourself three litres of brute force with no traction control and no ABS, just a no frills, six-cylinders-in-line engine, fed by twin SU carburettors and lots of wind in your hair

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

events

by Claudia Schiel month, when members with their cars meet at Ocean Village, and the last-but-one Thursday of the month, when they meet at the Fire Brigade Club in the evening, without cars.

But without question the most popular and public local event is the classic car rally, which is held each May. This occasion involves local classics and visitors from various clubs in Spain, such as the Automovil Club El Puerto de Santa Maria, American Classic Cars owners club and the Sol Classic Club, mainly composed of British members residing in Spain. Other visitors from Portugal and Germany have driven to Gibraltar

All cars are displayed at Casemates Square between 10am and 1pm on 22nd May specifically for this event.

All cars are displayed at Casemates Square between 10am and 1pm, followed by a parade up Main Street, then the participants tour the Rock in their cars, stopping for refreshments, before meeting at Ocean Village for lunch. The following day there’s an outing to Spain which includes a competition and lunch in a venta.

One of the main goals the committee is working on, is the acquisition of suitable premises where members can meet, socialise and run affairs of the association. A second aim is to win the approval of legislation, which will aid, legalise and support the maintenance of classic cars in Gibraltar. John says “We are more than a little way behind UK in this regard, but hope

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

it will not be too long before this is rectified.”

The association has pushed hard in this area and are confident that, with continued Government support, it will achieve its aim.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association is not just about cars, as the word ‘vehicle’ implies, it also welcomes vans, trucks of any description,

motorbikes and mopeds, just as long as they are 25 years or over. They also have two types of memberships — full membership is available for those who own a classic or vintage vehicle and honorary membership is available for those who may not have a classic but are interested in classic vehicles. n

55

fund raising Jebel Toubkal, the 36th highest mountain in the world

photo courtesy Alan Keohane www.kasbahdutoubkal.com

the toubkal challenge In December last year, Neil Wright and Pelu Triay were thinking of ways to better enjoy their mid-life crisis. The spark of an idea to organise an ascent of Jebel Toubkal in Morocco for a worthwhile charity has since progressed into a firm date to do it in May. Group photo of those attempting the ascent during a training hike last Good Friday

What started as a group of four, is now 21 willing climbers looking forward to the challenge of the 36th highest mountain in the world on 22nd of this month.

“Those of us attempting the climb can safely be described as unfit amateurs,” Said Andrew Tucker who was amongst the first to sign up for the challenge.

“However, we are all enthused and trying desperately to get fit.”

In fact Andrew is cycling to work from Sotogrande each day!

During the week, four of them can be seen walking Mediterranean Steps each lunch break, and MH Blands have been most helpful in providing them with a free lift down on the cable car after their hike. Although participants are responsible for their own training, they do some group training walks such as Torecilla — a 1,900m mountain in the Ronda area which is still under half the height of Toubkal with a serious altitude of nearly 4,200m.

“

The group has decided to split the charity donations between two causes. The first charity being the Neuroblastoma Society for their work in researching this rare and aggressive disease which affects around 100 children each year in Britain, and the walk itself is dedicated to the memory of Douglas Stewart-Wilson who died from the disease. His mother, Tammy is also part of the team climbing.

Whilst 75% of funds raised will be going towards this cause, the remaining 25% will be donated to a Moroccan charity ‘Education for All’ which is devoted to providing college education for girls in the High Atlas mountains.

At the time of going to press, the team had already raised over £10,000 with hopes to achieve much more. Donations can be made online at www.justgiving. com/climbingforcancer or by cheque payable to the Toubkal Appeal, c/o Julian Triay, 28 Irish Town Gibraltar. n

Those of us attempting the climb can safely be described as unfit amateurs 56

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

fashion

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GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE • • MAY MAY 2010 2010

57 57

events

This photo: The conning tower on U-92 which the sailors jokingly called the ‘Rose Garden’- because they occasionally got the chance to breath fresh air.

Photos right: Old enemies who could have been good friends: (top) Karl Schmeisser (bottom) Earl Reynolds.

Friend & Old Enemy Passes Away When I hadn’t heard from Karl Schmeisser for several months I decided to write to inquire if he was okay. In reply I received a letter from his wife Lotti saying that my Dad’s old enemy had died shortly before Christmas last year.

I got to know Karl and to like him so referring to him as Dad’s old enemy seems a bit strange but in reality that’s what they were — enemies.

My father, Earl Reynolds, was an able seaman in the Royal Canadian Navy and Karl was a submariner in the German Navy. Early on the morning of 16th November, 1942 they came together in a one-sided battle that would result in the near death of my father.

Dad had just taken part in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. He had been a gunner on assault landing craft that delivered Allied soldiers to the beaches at Oran. Mission accomplished the landing craft were loaded on the 7,772-ton SS Clan McTaggart to be taken back to the UK. Dad was one of 100 Canadian commandoes aboard the rusty old merchantman.

There were also half a dozen English officers in charge of a crew of 160 mainly Indian seamen.

The McTaggart was one ship of many in convoy MKS-1X heading for the UK. The convoy

58

anchored at Gibraltar for two days of rest and to re-victual.

The captain of the McTaggart had assured the Indian crewmen that they would be sailing for Bombay. Somehow at Gibraltar the ‘lascars’, as they were known in those days, discovered that in reality their destination was Greenock, Scotland. They weren’t happy about it. My father described what happened next.

“They became very angry and stormed the bridge. Rifles were broken out and after an

The McTaggart missed the departure time for the convoy and she was forced to sail alone on a moonlit night

hour or two the uprising was quelled and they returned to their stations.”

Unfortunately the time spent putting down the mutiny caused the McTaggart to miss the departure time for the convoy and she was forced to sail alone on a moonlit night. Laying in wait was U-92 with a crew of 47 including a 19-year-old engineer named Karl Schmiesser.

My father wrote: “I had the midnight watch on the starboard bridge. We knew very well we could be followed because the German subs always looked for stragglers. I thought my watch would never end. I couldn’t have a smoke for obvious reasons and I had a very bad toothache.”

When Dad’s watch finished at 4am he got an aspirin for his toothache, climbed into his hammock and fell asleep. According to German records the torpedo struck at precisely 5.49am.

My father related: “I was awakened by a heavy thud that felt like hitting something. When I came to my senses GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

events

by Reg Reynolds everybody was shouting, ‘We’ve been fished’.

“I immediately headed for the upper deck. I will always remember Bill Hanely from Montreal going the wrong way. I asked him why and to my astonishment he said he was going to save his camera. He did survive.

“I could see the bow was down so I headed for the stern. I looked down and saw lifeboats down on the water. All the East Indians had bags full of canned goods and personal possessions. They were praying and shouting. Some of these men had been fished as many as three times.”

The stern was still 50-feet above the water but Dad managed to get down the scramble nets and into a lifeboat only to find that the plug hadn’t been put in and it quickly sank. Luckily a piece of timber floated by, he grabbed it and held on for dear life. Meanwhile, Capt. Oelrich, Karl and the crew of U-92 were celebrating their first kill and preparing to fire a second torpedo that would finish off the McTaggart.

In his notes Dad doesn’t mention being afraid but one can only imagine what it was like for a 19-year-old farm boy to find himself floating in the cold Atlantic not knowing whether he would live or die or what would happen next.

Fortunately Hudson Patrol Bombers and warships from Gibraltar were soon on the scene.

The big fear now was that the warships might start dropping depth charges in order to destroy the submarine before attempting to rescue survivors. My father recalled: “Bombers were circling and dropping flares and the British minesweeper Coreopsis picked us up. Thank God the Captain of the Coreopsis did not shoot depth charges or I would have

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

been history.”

Also, thanks to the humanity of Capt. Oelrich, who flagrantly disobeyed orders from Hitler and Admiral Doenitz by giving the crew of the McTaggart time to abandon ship, there were only four deaths — one Canadian commando and three lascars. The Coreopsis took Dad and other survivors to Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

After some well-earned R&R Dad returned to action. He would take part in the invasion of Sicily in July, 1943 and complete his seven years of service in the RCN in 1948.

After the sinking, U-92 came under attack from British destroyers but, staying submerged for more than 24 hours, managed to escape west around to the coast of Sierra Leone. Karl would make another 17 patrols (20 in total) on U-92.

The Type VIIC submarine was quite unsuccessful considering its length of service. The 9,998ton Empire Trader was the only other ship sunk under the command of Oelrich. There were no deaths in that incident. Oelrich relinquished command to Wilhem Bruehel in June 1944.

Under Bruehel’s command the only vessel sunk

“

I will always remember Bill Hanely from Montreal going the wrong way. I asked him why and to my astonishment he said he was going to save his camera

”

was the 1,670-ton US LST-327 on 27th August, 1944. Out of a complement of 100 officers and men, 22 were killed.

In 1944, through a German friend and a naval historian, I was able to contact former crewmen of U-92 and was invited to their annual reunion.

It was held at the small town of Guntersburg in the former East Germany. There I met Mrs. Oelrich (her husband had died a few months before) and six surviving crewmen from that fateful night. One of those six was Karl Schmeisser. By then he was a little round man with a fringe of white hair beneath a shiny bald pate and looked like a character from a Disney movie. We hit it off immediately.

Karl, his wife Lotti and the rest of the U-92 families were gracious hosts and we (Maggie, myself and my German friend) enjoyed a lovely two days with them. From that time forward Karl and I corresponded. He mailed me dozens of letters containing information and documentation on the history of the U-boats and each Christmas we exchanged cards. It was last December when I didn’t receive the usual card that I became concerned about his welfare.

In her letter Lotti wrote that although terribly saddened by Karl’s death she was grateful that she had been able to share 65 years of marriage with a wonderful husband.

During World War II, 4,154 Canadian sailors and more than 30,000 U-boat crew (3 out of 4 who served) paid with their lives. My father, who died in 2001 aged 78, and Karl, who was 86 when he died, were among the lucky ones.

They never met in person but if they had I am sure they would have liked each other. n

59

health

little terrors

One of the few things bad about the spring and summer in this part of Europe is the mosquito bite, and this year’s abundance of standing water means there is likely to be more mosquitoes than usual buzzing around over the coming months.

One of the main things which attracts mosquitoes to us is the carbon dioxide in our breath. So unless you plan to stop breathing for the night, the likelihood is that more than once this summer you’ll be woken up in the early hours as one buzzes past your head. Apart from the usual electronic remedies, there are a few natural products which you may like to try. For example, a sprinkle of lemongrass oil on your bed in the evening (we’ve tried this one) does the trick and it’s said other oils such as thyme, cedar, tea tree or peppermint have the same effect. There are also plants which act as a natural deterrent and you can use these either as decoration in your home, or infusing the leaves in water and use it as a spray. Lavender, basil and catnip are a few you can try.

Another form of prevention, apparently, is by eating the right things to deter them. A daily dose of garlic, vitamin B1, brewers yeast or lemons (not combined!) should produce a flavour in your skin which mosquitoes don’t like.

It does seem, in some cases, the prevention might just be worse than the bite so here are a couple of tips for what might work to give you a little relief from the after effects of mosquitoes injecting their saliva into your epidermis: Normally you’ll have something to hand from the local chemist. But what if you don’t? Apparently rubbing the bite with a bar of soap does the trick, as does Sellotape but there are other homemade remedies which we are assured do the trick. Strong tea mixed with alcohol, toothpaste, mouthwash, vinegar or honey applied directly to the bite should give you some respite as should a simple salt water solution or a crushed aspirin with a few drops of water or alcohol. You could always go for the more natural remedies such as lemon or lime juice or even the inside part of banana peel. But don’t take our word for it — try them for yourself and if in doubt, head to the chemist. ■

the beach is back Usually writer’s block comes for no apparent reason, but sitting in a heated office towards the end of April with dark Levanter clouds chilling the air outside, the last request I wanted on my desk was “Can we do a little something about summer?”

With a bit of luck by the time this edition hits the streets we’ll have forgotten the incredibly long spell of four months of dismal weather and will be looking up at blue skies in the full knowledge they’ll still be there for the weekend, and the weekend after, and the weekend after that. I’m not entirely convinced — it’s just started raining again as I write.

So, lets just for a moment suppose that there’s going to be a magical change in weather conditions and, just like every year any of us can remember, Gibraltar will be blessed with the summer, sea and soaring temperatures which up to now have never failed us.

It’s time to dust down the bucket and spade, dig out the beach bags and cold boxes, and don’t forget the sun umbrellas, deck chairs, tortilla de patata and gallina empanado to go with a cool beer (no glass bottles please) or other thirst quencher of your choice.

There seems to be two types of beach goers and very little in between. Those who turn up with a towel and, quite literally, little else, and those who make around fifteen round trips from car to beach, unloading the boot, roof

rack and back seats to set up what seems like a permanent home on the shores — only to repeat the process in reverse a few hours later.

Maybe it’s a choice of comfort. Do you prefer to travel light and eat your chorizo roll with the breeze blowing sand between your teeth, or is your ideal day at the beach accompanied by all mod-cons, table, chairs and wind-shield included at the expense of a great deal of extra effort at the beginning and end of the day?

Which ever of the two categories you feel you fall in to, there’s one item you must factor in: sun cream. Most cases of skin cancer are caused by the ultra violet rays of the sun damaging your skin. It’s important to cover up during the hottest hours of the day and to keep in the shade between 11am and 4pm to minimise the risk. Even following this rule of thumb, the GHA advise a minimum of factor 15 sun cream applied liberally, so if you’re a real sunworshiper, you should probably be considering factor 50 to keep safe.

That ‘healthy, golden brown’ may look good, but it’s actually not healthy at all. Maybe we’re better off with the rain. ■

Do you prefer to travel light and eat your chorizo roll with the breeze blowing sand between your teeth, or is your ideal day at the beach accompanied by all mod-cons?

60

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

health

know your UVBs from your UVAs After a pretty terrible winter we’re starting to see the first few rays of sunshine and more than a few tourists and locals turning a brighter shade of pink as we make the most of the blue skies which we’ve missed for so long.

I

t’s actually these first few weeks when most damage is done — when the weather has not completely turned to summer and we forget the sun is still doing its damage, even through cloud cover too.

Firstly, if you have any creams left over from last year, check the best before date. If they don’t have one or the product is past it, throw them out. This is not a ploy to make you go out and spend a fortune on new cream — some creams can concentrate over time and can cause rashes and occasionally quite painful burns to the skin, or lose their protective properties. If in doubt start afresh.

It’s important to use cream as soon as, or 30 minutes before, you go outdoors and to remember that tanned skin is damaged skin. But do you know what to look for in your cream?

First you need to understand what is causing the tan.

There are actually two types of UV light which penetrate our bodies from the sun. The one which all sun creams deal with is UVB, which causes sun burn and over a period of time can contribute to skin cancer (over 90%

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

of skin cancer cases are sunlight related). The second type is UVA, which although gives no obvious sign that it is damaging your skin actually penetrates deeper into your body and, as well as contributing to the risk of cancer, it is believed to be the cause of the damage which gives us wrinkles.

Check the cream you buy to see if it protects you from both types of UV light, and pay attention to the SPF (sun protection factor) number, which tells you how much longer you can be outside without burning. Whilst a factor 15 cream will cut out 93% of UV light, it will mean you can stay in the sun without burning up to fifteen times longer than without cream.

So if you would burn in 20 minutes without cream, a factor 15 would give you around five hours of exposure time (with regular applications every two hours and after bathing). A factor 30

or 50 sun cream will only reduce the amount of UV light by another 3-4%, although this makes all the difference for those with sensitive skin, a medical history of sensitivity and especially young children and babies.

What you must remember though is that even the strongest cream will not block 100% of the UVB rays and a much smaller percentage of the UVA rays, so keep in the shade when possible and protect the most delicate parts of your skin such as the area around your eyes with sunglasses, use a hat for your head and neck, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Look after yourself and enjoy the summer. n

61

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

health & medical directory 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

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

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

The Health Store

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

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

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

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

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

For all your Pharmaceutical needs

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

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

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

Tel: 200 77777

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

Need somebody to talk to?

7 days a week 6-10pm

64 whataapage pageturner! turner!www.thegibraltarmagazine.com www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 62 what

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

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

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

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

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

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

health

l

58 Main Street, 1st Floor.

Tel: 200 74040 Regular Clinics Claudia Schiel Health/Beauty Therapist

there’s a new face at Claudia’s Claudia’s Clinic at 58 Main Street has always offered a wide range of health and beauty related services, and as the business continues to expand, so do the staff and products available too.

Nicole who specialises in beauty therapy and massage is now taking appointments for her wide variety of products. On the massage side, this includes lymphatic drains and reflexology as well as therapeutic massages for light sprains and strains, whilst facials, eyelash tinting and waxing are the main products in her beauty range along with

manicures and pedicures.

Don’t forget that apart from the regular services on offer, if you’re wanting to get ready up for summer, you can pick up your fakebake tanning lotion exclusively from the clinic which is revolutionary in that it is organic, non-smelling and non streaking too. The clinic also offers permanent hair

removal, pigmentation and antiaging laser treatment as well as fat reduction using ultra sound.

There may be an extra pair of hands at Claudia’s Clinic now, but you would still be well advised to book ahead to arrange your appointment by calling 200 74040 or calling in on the first floor, 58 Main Street. ■

Extending the Hand of Care

Sometimes finding the right care for a loved one who is terminally ill can prove impossible for families.

It is a natural, human impulse that propels us to believe that no one can take care of the people we love like we ourselves can. Like other communities, family values are of the highest importance amongst Gibraltarians. We are taught to respect and admire our elders from an early age and general consensus is that we ourselves will care for our parents, grandparents and relatives in their old age .

Unfortunately, sometimes the burden of caring for the one you love becomes to hard to bear; especially in cases of terminal illness ( cancer) and thus external care is only option.

Choosing the right care option is the issue at hand.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Auriculo Medicine for Stop Smoking Dermatological Peels Non Surgical Lifting Specialising in all kinds of skin problems Holistic Therapies for various conditions - Reflexology - Medicinal Pedicures - Hair Extensions Gillian Schirmer MA DC UK McTimoney Chiropractor Gentle and Effective Chiropractic Treatment for all Muscular and Joint Pains, especially Sports Injuries, Pregnancy. Headaches, and Migraines. Suitable for all ages.

Alison Prior Health/Beauty Therapist - Facials - Waxing - Massages - Slimming Treatments NEW! Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal Hollywood & Brazilian Waxing Lymphatic Drainage Sports Injuries - Cervical Problems Collagen Implants Botox Injections - Sclerotherapy (Thread Vein Treatment) New Clinics FAKE BAKE NEW in Gibraltar - revolutionary fake tanning system Exclusive Agents Laser Clinic Permanent Hair Removal, Pigmentation and anti-aging Health / Weight Loss Unique personalised nutrition programme Ultra Sound NEW fat removing technique

BOOK NOW FOR: Various evening courses in Beauty Therapy Registered & Licensed by Health & Environmental Department

63

puzzle page

by Alan Gravett

SUDOKU

1

2

4

3

6

5

Win a lunch for two at

The Cannon Bar

8

7

9

10

11 12

13

14 15

16

17

18

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

One entry per person.

Closing date: 21 May 2010 Last month’s winner: Moira Aquilina, Arengo’s Palace

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

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

One entry per person.

Closing date: 21 May 2010 Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Last month’s winner: Merci Garcia, Goole House

Across 5) Walt Disney character, originally

Mortimer (6,5) 7) “Do not change” as a printing

instruction (4) 8) Um and ah (8) 9) Weaving together as a net (7) 11) Hirsute (5) 13) Tinkerbell, for example (5) 14) Fabric container of pulses used as a

cushion, seat etc. (7) 16) Typing error in a publication (8) 17) Tree – to long for? (4) 18) Manage; direct (11) Down 1) Rabbit’s tail (4) 2) Colourless flammable gas used as a

fuel (7) 3) Divert (5) 4) Poem of four lines (8) 5) Adding and subtracting, algebra etc. (11) 6) 3ed (11) 10) Old reed instrument; traditional sailors’

dance (8) 12) Navigational instrument (7) 15) Joint; bishop’s headwear (5) 17) Quarry (4)

Jotting Pad ...

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Mozambique, Quiz, Flour, Stand firm, Demerara, Santa, Reprint, Eyebrow, Horatio, Vistula, Topee, Inclined, Pizzicato, Avast, Lean, Easy does it. Down: Miff, Zoo keeper, Morse, Instant, Unaware, Union, Zimbabwean, Odysseus, Intrepid, Archetypal, Route maps, Okinawa, Victory, Pizza, Imago, Stet

64

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

events

by Elena Scialtiel

Bosom Buddies go to the

Having donated a whopping £45,000 to breast cancer charities in the past four years thanks to fundraising fashion shows, calendars and the novel Paradise Bound, zesty survivor Sonia Golt and her team are celebrating Bosom Buddies’ fifth edition with a Hollywood theme — more spectacular than ever.

If living up to the previous show in which John Galliano’s creations took the Alameda Open Air Theatre catwalk seems a challenge, resourceful Sonia is well up to it with the ambitious theme The History of the Movies for the birthday production.

The audience will receive complimentary soft drinks and popcorn to help create a retro cinema atmosphere, and the show will be presented in an explosive format, thanks to the participation of Danza Academy, Urban Dance Group, Deepak Ramshandani’s dance group, Mount Productions models and catwalk students Young Catwalk Stars.

Of course the Oscar for best actresses will go to the courageous Bosom Buddies themselves — gorgeous ladies who are testament to Sonia’s motto ‘early detection means survival’. They will show off glam outfits sponsored once again

by Heart’s Boutique.

Why would any woman scarred physically by surgery, and emotionally by a consuming illness, take to the catwalk?

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

“For greater self esteem, to restore her confidence, to feel feminine, to eclipse the word taboo in relation to cancer and to help others in the same circumstances realise that there is life after cancer,” Sonia explains. It is also a great opportunity for them to learn they can look and feel as good, sometimes even better, than before their treatment.

That’s why so many people — not only cancer survivors, not only women — are so keen to vol-

The audience will receive complimentary soft drinks and popcorn to help create a retro cinema atmosphere, and the show will be presented in an explosive format

unteer for the show, whether on stage or behind the scenes. First of all it is therapeutic to witness fellow patients’ recovery, to exchange emotions and experiences and help each other to start living again. Second, they want to broadcast the awareness message and encourage everyone to do their best for prevention.

Sonia is satisfied with the prevention, care and aftercare facilities Gibraltar offers, which have improved umpteen-fold in the past few years, with breast screening diagnostics coming forward in leaps and bounds along with a small army of specialised nurses. Thanks also to the changing mentality which has learned to deal with the holistic side of care, beyond medical towards emotional, and beyond treating the sick individual towards helping the whole family.

Sadly, sometimes a patient cannot be cured and, when the Bosom Buddies lose a fellow buddy to the disease, it is devastating, for they have become a sort of sorority of friends always available to lend each other a shoulder to cry on.

However it gives them the strength to continue raising money and awareness for the cause, to celebrate the lives of those who are gone but keep on smiling from the beautiful pictures on the various calendars the Buddies have produced year in year out.

All effort is paid off when the show comes to life before the packed audience: “When I see those courageous women looking fantastic on the catwalk and enjoying every minute of their appearance on stage, it is wonderful compensation for the work done!” Sonia says.

Every year Sonia promises herself it will be the last, for it is too much work, then the year after she’s back for more, for the pride and joy of seeing the smiles on her Buddies’ faces.

The organisation is a mammoth task indeed — researching the proper music for the theme, booking entertainment, presenters, poster designing, lobbying for sponsorship, which in credit-crunch times is like a crusade... the only thing she’s never short of is models and enthusiastic helpers!

Sponsorship is essential to meet expenses, so every single penny from ticket sales can go to Cancer Relief, Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar and Cancer Research. To help with fund raising, like past shows, an auction will be held featuring collectibles by local designers Priscilla Sacramento, Jessica Garcia, Dorcas Hammond, Ismael Lopez, Sandra Mae and some must-haves

by John Galliano. n Too many people and companies to mention are making this year’s show a reality, so see it for yourself on 4th June at 9.30pm, Alameda Open Air Theatre. Tickets (£15 and £20) available from The Nature Shop, Casemates, and Heart’s Boutique, 250 Main Street.

65

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Artists’ Corner

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

Quality Kitchen Ware Gibraltar’s Best Stocked Cook Shop K5

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Homecooking . our speciality .

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M5 to Saturday

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the silver shop

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15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

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Jyske Bank.................................. L4 Masbro Insurance........................N4 Norwich & Peterborough............Q5 Phoenix Solutions........................ J4 Sovereign Trust...........................N4 STM Fidecs.................................H7 Business Services Call Centre..................................V4 Global Business Centre................S3 Waste Management......................a6 Business Supplies Beacon Press...............................N6 Glasshouse..................................N5 Image Graphics...........................N3 Stitch Design................................P3

Motoring & Car Sales A. M. Capurro & Sons Ltd ........ N6 Computers & Cableing BSG...............................................I4 Image Graphics........................... N3 Newton Systems.........................M5 PC Clinic..................................... U3 Food & Drink Al Baraka.................................... X7 Amin’s The Office....................... K5 All Sports Bar ............................ N3 Birdie Cafe Restaurant................ D7 Brunos......................................... B3 The Boatyard................................Z6 Buddies Pasta Casa..................... Q4 Cafe Rojo.................................... K5 Café Solo..................................... G3 Casa Pepe.....................................Z6 El Patio........................................ H2 Final Whistle............................... N3 Fresh .......................................... G4 Garcia’s Take-Away.................... C1 Get Joost...............................H4, S4 Get Stuffed.................................. A3 House of Sacarello.......................L5 Just-a-Nibble.................................I4

Just Desserts...................................I4 Khans............................................C8 London Bar...................................R2 Lord Nelson................................. H2 Marrakesh Restaurant...................R3 Mumtaz........................................ N2 El Patio......................................... H2 Picadilly Gardens.......................... b4 Pickwicks Bar...............................R3 Pig and Whistle Bar..................... D7 Pusser’s Landing . ........................C5 Roy’s Cod Plaice.......................... H4 Royal Calpe.................................. Q5 Saccone & Speed...........................J4 Sai Darbar.................................... Q2 Smiths Fish and Chips................. V4 Solo Express................................ H4 Star Bar........................................ K5 The Three Roses.......................... Q2 Trafalgar Sports Bar.......................a3 Verdi Verdi................................... N3 Waterfront.................................... Y7 Funeral Services Codali Funeral Services............... U3 Hair & Beauty Salons Classic Cuts..................................M3

J4• Sandwiches • Soups • Baguettes/ Ciabatta • Desserts/ • Take-away • Deliveries Homemade Italian Ice-cream • Eat in (outside!)

• Business Lunches Mon - Fri 10-6, Sat 10 - 4, Closed Sundays • Parties/ 24 Main St Tel: 20043840 Fax: 42390 Kids Parties

Irish Town Antiques

Q5

Extend-it Plus............................... N2 Joya’s Gents Hairdressers............ N2 Renaissance Beauty.......................J4 Roots.............................................T4 Short Cut........................................I6

McTimoney chiropractor.............L4 John Miles - Chiropodist..............K7 Specialist Medical Clinic.............. I4 Sport-On - Sports Therapy...........K3 Steiner Chiropractor.....................K7

Jewellery Sales/Repair Antonio Jewellers...........................J4 Beau Jangels.................................M4 Jewellery Repairs..........................L4 Matthew’s Jewellery......................I3

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

Leisure Complete Fitness.......................... R3 Dolphin Safari.............................. A3 Legal Services Budhrani Lawyers........................ K4 Charles Gomez............................. U4 Isolas.............................................E4 Triay & Triay............................... K5 Medical / Health Bell Pharmacy.............................. N3 Claudia’s Clinic............................ K4 Dr. Crump, Steven, Chiropractor I4 Health Food Store........................ O4 Louis Pharmacy........................... H4

Property Sales / Estate Agents BFA..............................................D3 Bray Property...............................B3 Property World.............................. I4 Solomon Levy . ...........................U3 General Services Anything Goes............................. P2 Art Gallery...................................R4 Balban (electrician)......................H2 Balloqui . ..................................... P4 LP Borge......................................X3 Denville Designs.........................M3 Fashion House Interiors............... P2 Greenarc.......................................X5 Larbi upholstery...........................R3 Queensway Quay Laundrette.......X7 Seekers.........................................L3 Space Interiors.............................. I3

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Shopping — General Arcade Keys.................................J5 Carol’s Books...............................I4 Don House Arcade.......................J5 Flair............................................ N4 Gallery Mosaic...........................M5 Home Centre................................J4 Pure Lighting...............................I6 Terry’s........................................M5 Sakata.........................................M4 Shopping — Fashion/Clothing Esprit.......................................... D4 Aftershock.................................. D4 Recruitment Corporate Resources....................J4 ERS..............................................I4 Just Recruitment..........................L4 RecruitGibraltar......................... O6 Quad Consultancy...................... U3 Transport / Marine Services Autoelectrical............................. C7 Gib Cargo................................... B8 Shell Bunkering......................... H6 Tarik Oil..................................... C8

SMITH’S

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

295 MAIN ST Tel: 200 74254

178 Main Street · Gibraltar · Telephone 200 48480

K5

Queen’s Hotel Gibraltar

L5

Irish Town Tel: 200 70411

J4

b2

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

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

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

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

hobbies&pastimes

GACHE & CO LTD HORTICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Tel: 200 43134 Fax: 200 50648 Convent Gardens, Convent Garden Ramp

photography

EST. 1830

leisure & tuition lessons&tuition

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers 266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

travel&hotels

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

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

newsagents/books leisure&sport

Sun Daily Mail Star Express Mirror Available Daily on the Rock Every Morning from

L. SACARELLO 96 Main St Tel: 200 78723 Fax: 200 78723 Booksellers, Newsagents & Stationers

Gibraltar Connections

by Reg Reynolds

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

The Flowers of Gibraltar

by Leslie Linares, Arthur Harper and John Cortes

Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • APRIL 2009

events

What’s On This Month Saturday 1st May Fun Day at the Pet Corner mini pet farm at St Theresa’s Club, Line Wall Road from 12 midday onwards. There will be stalls and activities such as Fishing Stall, Jumping Castle, Face Painting/Temporary Tattoos, Raffle, Guess the NAme, Tombola, Mini Jumble Sale, and much more. St Theresa’s Club will also be open to the public where there will be food and drinks available.

Friday 7th & Saturday 8th May Stylos Dance Studios will be presenting a “Tribute to MJ” — a celebration of the life and legacy of Michael Jackson at the John Mackintosh Hall at 7.30pm on Friday and 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturday. The tickets are on sale daily from the John Mackintosh ticket office from 4th May 6pm-8pm with proceeds in aid of the Association for Kids in Need www.akincharity.org Tuesday 11th May Gibraltar National Dance Organisation auditions to select the Gibraltar National Dance Team 2010 at The Central Hall. For further information Tel: 20041738 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Visit: www.gibconnect.com Saturday 15th May Gibraltar Museum Open Day 10am to 6pm. For further information contact Tel: 20074289 or visit www.gibmuseum.gi

Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour meets at George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am. There is no fee but donations are welcome.

For further information Tel: 20072639 Email: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi The City Line Church - Fun Day - in aid of RICC (Research into Childhood Cancer). Jumble sale, face painting, bouncy castle, cake stall, fancy dress competition and a visit by Disney characters amongst other family events. Leisure Island, Ocean Village 10am – 3pm.

Ceremonial Guard Mounting at The Convent 12.00 noon. For further information Tel: 20055083 Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society outing “Brazo del Este”, waters and wildfowl. Meet 6am Spanish side of the frontier. For further information contact John Cortes 20072639 Email: jcortes@gonhs.org or visit www.gonhs.org.

Gibraltar Heritage Trust 21st annual painting competition. Theme: Europa Point. Registration on site from 9am to 12pm. For further information Tel: 20042844 Email: heritage@gibraltar. gi or visit www.gibraltarheritagetrust. org.gi Friday 21st May Urban Dance - Dance Show “15” at

There is face painting fun for children at the two Fun Days this month on 1st May and 15th May

St Michael’s Cave 9pm. Tickets £20 available from The Nature Shop, Casemates (includes return shuttle service to St Michael’s Cave). For further information Tel: 54012212 Saturday 22nd May Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association display of classic vehicles at Casemates Square 10.30am to 11.30pm. At

12 noon vehicles will drive along Main Street then down to Ocean Village.

For further information Tel: 20074657 Email: howard@gibraltar.gi Tuesday 25th - Friday 28th May Painting exhibition “A Touch of Paint” organised by Giorann Henshaw at John Mackintosh Hall Gallery 10am to 6pm. Entrance free.

Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th May Transitions Dance Academy presents “Thumbelina” at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre from 8.30pm. Tickets: £12 available from the John Mackintosh Hall ticket office as from 17th May. For further information contact Gillaine 20077758 The Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association presents: “Holiday Snap” at Ince’s Hall Theatre 8.30pm. Tickets: £8 & £10 available from 11th May from the Ince’s Hall Theatre ticket office.

For further information Tel: 20074657 Email: howard@gibraltar.gi Wednesday 26th - Friday 4th June Spring Art Exhibition at Casemates Exhibition Galleries open Monday – Friday 10am to 6pm Saturday: 10am to 1pm. Entrance free. For further information contact: Ministry of Culture 20048063 Email: minculture@ gibtelecom.net

Pictured above are the winners of the Easter Art Competition held at Cafe Solo. The competition was judged by Gino, the president of the Gibraltar Fine Arts Association and the winners, who each received a £30 gift voucher, were Alex Palacios aged 10 and Peter Cabezuito aged 5.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Saturday 29th May Ceremonial Guard Mounting at The Convent 12 noon For further information Tel: 20055083

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Miss Gibraltar — The Contestants 2010

events

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Jemma Rocca, Age: 19, Receptionist

Jessica Bossino, Age: 23, Sales Assistant

Joelle Falzun, Age: 22, Personal Assistant

Kadiuska Hollands, Age: 20, Student

Kayleigh Gonzalez, Age: 17, Student

Kiara Estella, Age: 19 Carer at the Elderly Care Agency

Krystina Sawyer, Age: 18, Junior Hairdresser

Larissa Dalli, Age: 22, Fund Administrator

Leandra Howes, Age: 22 Customer Service Operator

The contestants for this year’s Miss Gibraltar have a hard act to follow as last year’s winner, Kaiane Aldorino, went on to take the Miss World title.

This year’s spectacular show, hosted by Santos Productions, will take place on Saturday 3rd July in the Alameda Open Air Theatre.

Louise Gonzalez, Age: 21, Administrative Clerk

The ten contestants (pictured) will not only be competing for the title “Miss Gibraltar” which comes with a £3,500 cash prize but will also go on to take their place in Miss World 2010 and have their own shot at the title,

an event which will be held in Vietnam in November. For the first time ever, Miss Gibraltar will be crowned by the reigning Miss World! It looks like the scene is set for a particularly glamorous occasion. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

the arts

Oscar Wilde claimed in 1891 that ‘Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates life’ and objects of the National Association: the advancement of arts education and appreciation and the preservation of our artistic heritage Gibraltar DFAS, as the society will be known, has been set up in collaboration with DFAS de la Frontera which holds lectures once a month between October and May at the San Roque Golf and Country Club and has been until now the nearest society to Gibraltar.

Chairman of Gibraltar DFAS, Claus Olesen, looks forward to welcoming you to this free evening where there will be an opportunity to get involved in the newest member of the national association and to learn about their exciting future plans which start with a full lecture programme in October 2010.

Further details can be obtained from Claus Olesen on 200 02024 claus.olesen@sghambros. com or Ian Le Breton on 200 76173 ilebreton@ SovereignGroup.com – the new society’s website is www.gibdfas.webs.com

Inaugural Gibraltar Arts Lecture NADFAS, the fine arts and decorative association founded in the UK in 1968 with over 340 societies worldwide, is heralding the start of a new branch in Gibraltar with an open invitation to attend an introductory lecture on 17th May at 7.30pm at the O’Callaghan Elliott Hotel.

The lecture is entitled “Nothing to declare but my genius” — Oscar Wilde and the Aesthetic Movement. Lecturer Dr. Anne Anderson, a broadcaster and the author of several books, will tell us how Oscar Wilde, who claimed

in 1891 that ‘Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates life,’ helped raise shopping at Liberty’s and Morris and Co into an art form in its own right.

All NADFAS Societies subscribe to the aims

Chairman of Gibraltar DFAS, Claus Olesen

Manufacturers & Suppliers of HIGH PRESSURE HOSES AND ACCESSORIES Visit us at 43 Harbours Deck, New Harbours, Gibraltar Call us on 200 50337 email: shop@jjhire.com or see our website: www.jjhire.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

71

people & places

interviewed by Sonia Golt

Ricardo in Mamma Mia

Interviewer Sonia Golt poses for a picture with Gibraltarian actor Ricardo Montez, famous for his role as Spaniard Juan Cervantes in the hit TV programme Mind Your Language

mind your language...

(interview with Ricardo Montez in progress) If we mention well-known actor Ricardo Montez, who started acting at the age of 17 and is still offered important secondary parts at the age of 86, how many of you would know we are talking about a Gibraltarian by the name of Levy Attias?

Ricardo chose his stage name to attract attention within the film industry but because of its Spanish sound he was given his major breakthrough as a Spanish bartender, Juan Cervantes, in the popular British comedy television series Mind Your Language.

You might be old enough to remember that the bartender Ricardo played had an optimistic streak, always laughing at himself, confident of his answers even when they were completely wrong. Early in the series Juan spoke almost

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no English, and answered everything with “por favor” but as the series continuous his English improves. To those of us who know him, it was funny to see the bilingual Ricardo put on an incredible foreign accent when he

spoke English!

Three series of Mind your Language were made for ITV from 1977 to 1979 and the show was briefly revived in 1986 with some of the original cast.

I met Ricardo recently on one of his many visits to Gibraltar and spent a long time chatting to him as he has so much to tell.

Although born in England in 1924, Ricardo was brought up in Gibraltar and at every opportunity and in every interview he always says he is from Gibraltar. During the Franco regime this got him into trouble, but he always sought to promote Gibraltar and felt proud to be from the Rock.

Ricardo left Gibraltar to live in Richmond, London, in 1964 to further his career and over the years he made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. He and his wife Orita have one daughter Clara and a grand daughter.

Despite so many years in the UK he visits Gibraltar frequently and has not lost touch with his friends and family here.

His first film was Pirates of Blood River (1962), a Hammer Film Production with Kerwin Mathews who is captured by pirates, led by Capt. LaRoche (Christopher Lee). But it was Ricardo’s appearances in the popular long-running TV series of the ’60s, The Avengers and The Saint, which kept him working in the industry. In fact, The Avengers (1961-1969), set in cold war Britain, was the longest continuously running espionage series of the time and it was syndicated in more than 90 countries. The Saint, centred on the character Simon Templar (Roger Moore), enjoyed similar success and aired simultaneously (1962-1969).

It was after these two long running TV series that Ricardo was offered the comedy part which took him to fame. However, he has played many parts, done an huge number of TV commercials and played smaller parts in films in Hollywood with well-known actors and actresses who respect him and claim to love having him on their sets.

A very attractive man in his prime, he still has charisma even though he is an octogenarian.

“When I was filming in Mallorca once with a young and still not too well known Pearce Bronson,” Ricardo remembers, “I was sitting with him and people did not stop coming up to ME for autographs. Recently on the set of Mama Mia!, I reminded Pearce of this and it was funny to think that at one time he had been disregarded and I was being asked for autographs while this time round it was the opposite.”

Of all the many parts and places he has filmed, he has really enjoyed taking the part of Stannos in Mamma Mia! It was filmed in Skiathos and Skopelos in Greece in 2008, with beach scenes at Laguna Beach in California, USA, and the

to those of us who know him, it was funny to see the bilingual Ricardo put on an incredible foreign accent when he spoke English GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

people & places

“

every morning Meryl would walk up to me and say ‘Hello Ricardo’ and give me two kisses, one on each cheek — what a way to start the day!

”

dance sequences mostly at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England.

“At my age it was not easy to spend a whole day dancing and learning the sequences. It was great exercise but hard too and after all the work most of these sequences where not used for the film.”

Ricardo has a good memory and still learns his parts in record time, and found he got on well with others on the set.

“I have a great rapport with Meryl Streep. She is totally down to earth and a lovely person. I also found that, possibly due to my age, I was like a grandfather to the younger actresses in the film — they felt compelled to help me and bring over cups of tea for me without me having to even ask. I felt so pampered!

“I also spent a lot of time chatting with the leading ladies under canopies in the film breaks because it was very hot in Greece. Every morning Meryl would walk up to me and say ‘Hello Ricardo’ and give me two kisses, one on each cheek — what a way to start the day!”

Mamma Mia!, a romantic comedy, was adapted to the big screen from the 1999 West End musical and is based on the songs of ABBA. The versatile actress Meryl Streep headed the cast, playing the role of single mother Donna Sheridan, together with Pearce Bronson, Colin Firth, who this year was named Best Actor at the BAFTA Awards for his role in A Single Man, and Stella Skarsgard the three playing the roles of the possible father to Donna’s daughter.

“Yes I am glad to say that Mama Mia! has become the UK’s highest-grossing film of all time and over 30 million DVDs have been sold since it was released,” says Ricardo with satisfaction.

And for the future? What lies ahead for Ricardo?

“I am off to Malta very soon to film two television commercials to promote olive oil. My manager in London still believes in me and I am not ready yet to retire. Retire from what?

A life of fun. What would I do then, I would be bored!

“Still I do hope that I will be able to come back to Gibraltar for longer periods to spend more time here with my family, but we shall see. It all depends on where or when I am needed next.” n

People on the Move

New Management Team at Lord Nelson After eight years on Gibraltar’s party circuit, Casemates’ Lord Nelson has recently undergone a major makeover.

Not only does the Bar Brasserie now have new décor, a new audiovisual system and a new menu, but it also has a brand new management team — let’s introduce them.

Gareth and Stuart, despite only being in their early 30s, bring a wealth of experience to the table. Both have been in key management roles for leading pub operators in the UK gaining a plethora of plaudits and qualifications. Their most successful venture was the Anchor in Bedford where they held the licence for three years and did a roaring trade in food and beverage. High standards of customer service come as second nature to both, particularly for Gareth who served dignitaries and royals as part of Concorde’s cabin crew — winning an Award for Excellence in the process.

Gareth comments, “Our vision for the Lord Nelson is to retain its fantastic atmosphere and reputation then increase food sales with our fresh looking menu, instill excellent standards throughout via continuous staff training and achieve targets set by our Directors. We’ll of course stay true to our ‘Live Music Venue of the Year’ reputation whilst creating the perfect atmosphere for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In short, we hope that every guest who visits the Lordy goes on to spread the word about how good it is.”

The strictly over-18s venue, which is the official home to Gibraltar Rugby Club, is gearing up for a fantastically busy summer.

Mind your Language crew (Ricardo left in bull-fighting attire)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

“

Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Lord Nelson will have live lusic featuring ‘homegrown’ and ‘imported’ talent whilst the five huge flatscreens are in place for kick-off in Johannesburg on 11th June. A new menu will include homemade pizzas, jacket potatoes, burros, a selection of sizzlers, prime steaks and paninis all freshly prepared on the premises.

Meanwhile an extensive wine list, six draught beers and plenty of imported bottled varieties will keep every thirst quenched — and they’re still offering tea or coffee for £1.20 with newspapers to read.

Gareth adds, “Stuart and I are delighted that we made the move from the UK to Gibraltar.

We’ve fallen in love with the Gibraltarian culture and relaxed way of life.”

For further information on the Lord Nelson Tel: 200 50009, email: manager@lordnelson.gi, visit www.lordnelson.gi or look up “Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie” on Facebook. n Directors John and Andy Hunter have been part of the Gibraltar hospitality scene for 20 years and have five bars under their stewardship — Gibraltar Arms, The Star Bar, Lord Nelson, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub and Britannia Bar within the Cruise Terminal.

We’ve fallen in love with the Gibraltarian culture and relaxed way of life

”

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gibraltar connection

by Reg Reynolds

Old postcard depicting the Theatre Royal in what is now known as Governor’s Parade ­— originally published by Benzaquen & Co., Gibraltar

Gibraltar Conductor was Verdi’s Pal When I found that a cafe named Verdi, Verdi had opened in Gibraltar I wondered if the name had anything to do with the great Italian composer. Brian McCann set the record straight with an excellent article about Idan Greenberg’s new establishment in the April 2010 edition of the Gibraltar Magazine.

Brian asked Idan where he got the name: “My surname is Greenberg, which means ‘green mountain’, just as iceberg means ‘ice mountain’. That translates to ‘monteverde’ in Spanish, but we thought that might cause some confusion with the same local surname.

But we liked the verde part, especially as spelt by the composer Verdi, then we found saying it twice had a nice rhythm, so Verdi, Verdi it became.”

Well Brian and Idan might be surprised to learn that Verdi does have a Gibraltar connection, albeit an indirect one, through the Italian composer/librettist with the unusual name of Tamistocle Solera.

Verdi, aged 27, was suffering through the worst period of his life when Solera appeared on the scene and helped rescue his career. It was August 1840 and Verdi’s opera Un giorno di regno (King for a Day) had been hissed by the public, condemned by the critics and cancelled after just one performance.

This demoralising failure came soon after the death of his wife Margherita from encephalitis.

That tragedy had followed the death in infancy (14 months apart) of his children, Virginia and Icilio. So depressed was Verdi that he gave up music and retired in bitter seclusion. He later

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Tamistocle Solera was impresario and conductor at Gibraltar’s newly built Theatre Royal

Verdi, a fervent nationalist, and Solera collaborated on operas which were primarily of a political and historical nature

recalled: “Un giorno di regno failed to please: certainly the music was partly to blame, but partly too, the performance. With mind tormented by my domestic fortunes, embittered by the failure of my work, I was convinced that I could find no consolation in my art and decided never to compose again.”

If Verdi had remained resolute the world would have been denied the delights of such masterpieces as Rigoletto, Il trovatore and La traviata. But enter the theatrical agent Bartomelo Merelli. At the time Merelli was the impresario for La Scala and was looking to stage a new opera. He had been given a libretto by Solera only to have it rejected by the German composer Otto Nicolai.

Merelli invited Verdi to the theatre and pleaded with him to read Solera’s libretto Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar). Verdi was reluctant.

“On my way, I felt a kind of indefinable malaise, a very deep sadness, a distress that filled my heart. I got home and with an almost violent gesture threw the manuscript on the table, standing upright in front of it. The book opened in falling on the table; without knowing how, I gazed at the page that lay before me; and read this line:

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

gibraltar connection

s

The opening night’s performance at Gibraltar’s Theatre Royal was Guiseppe Verdi’s opera Nabucco

‘Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate’ “I ran through the verses that followed and was much moved.”

Despite his admiration for the libretto Verdi stubbornly refused to compose the music. Merelli wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, however, and after months of denial and soul-searching Verdi finally relented. In the autumn of 1941 he presented the finished score to Merelli.

Nabucco was first performed on 9th March, 1842 and was a triumph. Verdi later declared, “With this opera my artistic career may be said to have begun.”

For the next few years Verdi, a fervent nationalist, and Solera collaborated on operas which were primarily of a political and historical nature, including I Lombardi alla prima crociata,(1844); Giovanna d’Arco (1845); Attila (1846).

From all accounts Solera was not an easy man to work with.

He was a late riser and never in a hurry to complete his work. When Attila was nearing completion he upset Verdi by going on holiday.

When Verdi remonstrated with him Solera suggested that he find a new librettist.

Solera had always been an adventurous type — as a youngster

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

he ran away to join the circus — and in 1847 he and is wife, an opera singer, left Italy for Gibraltar where he took up the posts of impresario and conductor at the brand new Theatre Royal.

The opening night’s performance — the Verdi opera Nabucco.

For the next 13 years Solera was engaged as impresario and/or conductor at theatres throughout the Iberian Peninsula, including Saragozza, Barcelona and Madrid.

It was rumoured he had an affair with the Queen of Spain.

He returned to Italy in 1859 and took on tasks far removed from the world of music. He was variously: a secret courier, a government agent and organiser of police for the Egyptian Khedive. Latterly he moved to Paris where he sold antiques.

Born at Ferrara, Italy on Christmas Day 1815 Tamistocle Solera died in poverty at Milan on 21st April, 1878. Verdi became very wealthy and lived on until 27th January, 1901 when he died aged 87.

Solera is also a name for the aging of alcoholic drinks, sherry being one of them, but Solera, Solera doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as Verdi, Verdi. n

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food & drink

Savannah Events May 2010: Friday 30th April - Dj Rookie Saturday 1st May - The Funky Lounge Sunday 2nd May - Soundlovers With Kuka Morales Friday 7th May - Dj Rookie Saturday 8th May - Saturday Party Friday 14th May - Dj Maniac Saturday 15th May - Saturday Party Friday 21st May - Dj Rookie

Pictured above:

Head Chef Luis and Aida of Cafe Rojo celebrate birthdays this month. First it’s Luis on the 1st then Aida get a year old on 6th May. Congratulations to them both. n

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Saturday 22nd May - Aaron Monteverde - Dinner Performance Friday 28 May - Dj Rookie Saturday 29th May - Miami Nice Presents Playboy Mansion Party For Reservations Call 200 66666

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

food & drink

Origins of the ‘Gibraltar’ Glass When we found out that the ‘Gibraltar’ coffee in America was actually named after the tumbler it was served in, we contacted the American glass manufacturers, Libbey, to find out a little more.

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Robert Zollweg, who was part of the team who designed the original line between 1977 and 1988 along with their New York consultant, Freda Diamond, gave us a little background.

“It was inspired by many high-end European lead crystal barware collections at the time,” Robert told us. “And we made it a block mold pressed line with high manufacturing efficiencies. It quickly became our number one glassware collection and still is to this date in the food service market.

“It started with one 14oz tumbler and grew to a collection of over 35 items, including stemware and glass dinnerware. It is presently manufactured at our factory in Shrevport, Louisiana. Since our patent has expired, the tumblers has been duplicated by almost every glass manufacturer worldwide. But it continues to be Libbey’s number one barware pattern and it was the number one barware line in Crate & Barrel for many years.”

And the name Gibraltar? Why pick that title for a coffee glass? “If I remember correctly,” says Robert, “we were throwing out names to describe it like ‘sturdy’, ‘stands out’, ‘solid as a rock’, ‘durable’, ‘strong’. Everyone liked the Rock idea, so it became ‘Gibraltar’.” n

Queensway Quay Marina

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

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guests to impress? Starter

(Serves 4)

Finding the right combination of dishes with original flavours, guaranteed to go down well at dinner parties and special occasions can be a nightmare.

Chef Scott Casey comes to the rescue with some simple, but delightful ideas to impress your guests.

Salt & Pepper Calamari

Dessert

For the calamari: 3 frozen calamari tubes (use frozen, cleaned tubes as the freezing process tenderises the calamari - you can use fresh but it won’t be as tender) Corn flour Sea salt 1 litre of vegetable or sunflower oil to fry For the potato salad: 300g Jersey Royale potatoes (scrubbed clean) 1 medium red onion (finely chopped) I medium red pepper (finely chopped no seeds) Half bunch of chives (finely chopped) Mayonnaise 1 small stick of chorizo (peeled and finely diced) 4 small gherkins (rinsed and finely chopped) 2 tbs of capers (rinsed and finely chopped) For the herb and citrus crème fraiche: 1 small tub of crème fraiche 4 tbs of chopped mixed fresh herbs Zest and juice of 1 small lemon and lime (zest being the skin not the white part which is bitter)

CAREFUL as it will spit and bubble a bit. Whisk to combine, simmer until thick. Set aside.

Now add the mascarpone to a clean bowl. If (serves 6-8) you are using vanilla beans (which are preferably better) cut down them lengthways, and scrape all the inner seeds out and add to the mascarpone (or add vanilla essence to taste) and the desired amount of icing sugar to sweeten a little. Set aside For the pudding mix, in a large plastic bowl, with a hand held mixer or kitchen aid add the For the pudding: eggs, egg yolks and caster sugar. Mix together 250g of unsalted butter until the mixture triples in size. Meanwhile put 5 whole eggs the chocolate and butter in a small saucepan 5 egg yolks and melt together over a low heat. Once this is 125g of caster sugar done, while the mixer is going, slowly add the 250g dark chocolate (at least 50 percent cocoa) chocolate and butter mix to the egg and sugar 50g of plain flour mix. Once the two are combined, gently mix in For the caramelita sauce: the plain flour.

100ml cold water Butter some non-stick Teflon individual 100g of caster sugar pudding moulds (available from BIA in Irish 100ml double cream Town) Add some of the mix to 3/4 fill. Bake in For the vanilla bean mascarpone: a preheated oven at 200ºCelsius for 9 minutes 200g of mascarpone or until the pudding is a little firm to touch on 2 vanilla beans (or vanilla essence to taste if you top but you can gauge it is still a little soft and can’t get vanilla beans) gooey in the centre.

Icing sugar to taste To serve: Carefully turn out the pudding into Method: A couple of hours before you want to the centre of a plate. Top with a little caramelita serve make the caramelita sauce. To do this add sauce. Then top this with the vanilla bean masthe caster sugar and cold water to a cold pot. carpone. Dust with a little icing sugar and Bob’s Bring to the boil and simmer rapidly for approx. ya uncle. When you cut into the centre of the 8-10 mins until it darkens in colour, but not black. pudding all the chocolate goodness will run out Once you reach this stage add your cream. BE taking you to heaven. Enjoy. n

Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding

78

Warm potato and chorizo salad, herb and citrus crème fraiche

First put your potatoes into a small pot, completely cover with salted water, bring to the boil and simmer until tender (about 25 mins depending on the size of the potatoes). Once cooked run under cold water until completely cold. Next chop the potatoes to desired size, I find about 1cm cubes works well, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. You can add as much mayonnaise as you wish but make sure it is seasoned well with salt and pepper.

Pour the crème fraiche into a clean bowl, add the chopped herbs, zest and juice of the lemon and lime. Season with salt and pepper and set GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

recipes

by Chef Scott Casey

to season the calamari after it is cooked.

Heat your frying oil in a large pot to 180ºCelsius (you can test this by dropping a piece of calamari into the oil. It should drop to the bottom of the pan and float to the top straight away). Cook the calamari for no more than 1.5 mins, remove and strain.

To assemble: Spoon some of the potato and chorizo salad into the centre of a plate. Top this with the calamari. Drizzle with the crème fraiche. Serve with some lemon or lime wedges and a crisp cold glass of Pinot Grigio. n

Main

(Serves 4-6)

Lemongrass Chicken

with toasted Peanuts & Coconut aside until required.

Trim the calamari by cutting off 5mm from the top and bottom. Next put the knife into the calamari tube and cut down one side to open it up. With the back of your knife scrape the sinew out. Cut in half lengthways again. Then score the inside of the calamari by cutting half way down, then repeat the process the other way to form a criss cross pattern. Then cut into 2cm wide strips.

Now dust the calamari strips in salt and peppered corn flour. Don’t be shy about how much salt and pepper you use as there will be no need

Scott says: “I had this dish the first time when I was in Thailand nine years ago. An elderly woman pulled up on the side of the street with her mobile cooking cart and knocked this dish up for me in about four minutes flat. Traditionally it is called Ga Xao Sa, but this is my adapted version that is simple and just as tasty.”

500g chicken breast or thigh (skinless, boneless and cut into strips) 3-4 stalks of minced lemongrass (the white tender part only) 2 tsp corn flour 1 tsp sugar

1 tsp black pepper 4 tbs sesame oil 2 tbs shallots 2 cloves of minced garlic 1 medium red pepper (cut into strips) 1/4 cup of water 1 tbs brown sugar 2 tbs fish sauce (Thais use this instead of salt) Steamed jasmine rice Toasted coconut Toasted peanuts Method: In a large bowl mix the chicken strips with the lemongrass, corn flour, sugar and pepper, 1 tbs of fish sauce and 1 tbs of sesame oil.

For a more intense flavour you can marinate this mix overnight.

Heat the remaining sesame oil in a wok. Add the minced shallots and garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the red peppers and continue to stir-fry until tender (2 mins). Now add the chicken mix, making sure all the marinade goes in too. Cook for another 3-4 mins. Turn down the heat, add the water, remaining fish sauce and brown sugar. Simmer for about 2 mins, adjust seasoning adding more or less fish sauce and black pepper to your taste.

You won’t be disappointed with this recipe and the chicken can be substituted with beef or seafood.

To serve: In a plate centre some steamed jasmine rice, top with the chicken mix, sprinkle with the toasted coconut, peanuts and fried golden shallots for a contrast in textures. The fried golden shallots are available from Commercial Andalucia (cebolla fritta). n

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

Open for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

79

wine column

dream time

The Spring (Arrangements) Bill was recently drafted. It included the excellent clause: “Subsection (1) of section four of any Act that seems a bore, and all the Acts concerning beer, and every Act that is not clear (always excepting Schedule A) shall be repealed and thrown away”.

Sadly, this splendid plan is not likely to be debated in Parliament.

A pity, as Spring is now with us, that subsection (1) of section 4 of the Income Tax Act will not be disappearing. But there are all sorts of other good ideas for reform in the pipeline. The Prevention of People Stopping in Doorways for a Chat Bill, the Schoolgirls Moving Aside to Let Others Pass on the Pavement Bill, the Preparation of Means to Pay in Advance of Arriving at Morrison’s Checkout Bill, the Prohibition of Noisy Motorbikes Bill, the Ban on Shouting at the Top of your Voice at Someone Sitting only Two Feet (or 57 Centimetres) Away from You in a Restaurant Regulations... the list is endless.

Any political party interested in improving the quality of life should be latching on to these small but vital methods of doing so instead of worrying about the precise amount of medical supplies to be carried on merchant fishing vessels (of which we don’t have any).

80

But these are the pipe dreams of a grumpy old man. Meanwhile there is some solace to be found in the merry month of May in consuming a bottle of wine. Despite much regulation of health and safety matters (and often quite rightly) there is little to prevent you buying and enjoying a bottle. No doubt some government

It may be impossible to persuade others in your household that washing-up liquid is an unnecessary frivolity

somewhere will soon find a method of doing so but at present they seem content to collect the tax and leave you alone. While this lasts, you must enjoy it. After all, Michelangelo was not constrained by Regulations relating to safety.

Otherwise we might all have to admire the Sistine Chapel floor.

A recent discovery was the Zarzuela crianza (Ribero del Duero) at Anglo Hispano for about £7.00, depending on what discount you are able to negotiate. Ribero del Duero wines are, while perfectly acceptable, generally rather boring.

They are the Spanish equivalent of Jacob’s Creek in Australia: reliable but without imagination.

However this one is a revelation. Smooth, underlying power, and a real taste. And a bargain at the price. I fear I may have cleared Bella’s stock single-handedly but she may be getting more in, especially when she reads this.

Other dreams can be fulfilled while sipping a glass of this excellent stuff. The non-stop rain of last winter becomes a distant memory and the sun shines; I idly consider the lithe bodies in bikinis sunning themselves on the foredeck of the yacht and call for a refill of the glass. It is brought, quickly and efficiently. I lie back, yawning contentedly. Suddenly, there is a sharp pain in my ribs; I am told to put the travel magazine away and get on with the washing-up. But a pleasant dream while it lasted.

As Spring continues a young man’s thoughts will lightly turn to thoughts of …. white wine.

Nothing, of course, can beat a decent Chablis (go for Laroche) but occasionally the wallet is not bulging enough. In those circumstances a Pinot Grigio (Morrison’s, £4.50) is a reasonable substitute. It doesn’t have the steel and bite of a Chablis but it is light and refreshing. As you consider the travel magazine and the dreams of a summer holiday the slight sharpness will invigorate and inspire you to even greater efforts to fulfil your ambitions.

All these dreams, whether of summer holidays or of less noisy motorbikes, must face reality. Wine has to be paid for. The wine budget competes with the budget for washing-up liquid and other apparently necessary household items. How does one reconcile these claims?

First, and most important, you buy a slightly better wine than the one you thought you could afford. Go one up from the own label claret to a chateau This-or-that, get the Zarzuela rather than an ordinary Ribero. Then you contemplate savings on other budgets. It may be impossible to persuade others in your household that washing-up liquid is an unnecessary frivolity, but what about all those creams and unguents which supposedly keep the skin clear and fresh?

These appear to cost about double the amount of a decent bottle for approximately one quarter of the size. Washing-up liquids come in all sorts of colours and are considerably cheaper; they can be used surreptitiously to top up the declining amount of ‘Ever Young’ skin care lotion (making sure you use the right colour).

The telephone is a useful adjunct to modern life but it is not an umbilical cord. A hidden unplugging of the cord (and a shrug of the shoulders as to why the call should suddenly have been cut off); a quiet disappearance of the mobile recharger; an amazed whistle at the size of the telephone bill — all these can all be used to cut that budget.

I did warn you that this column was about dreams. But wine does help sweet dreams. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

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

restaurant bar guide &

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

NOW OFFERING DAILY SPECIALS

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

turn to pages 82-85 for full restaurant and bar listings

Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449

Get Stuffed!

Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006

57 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: 200 70652

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

Take-Away, Sandwiches & Hot Food Different Special EveryDay salads, quiches, pastas, pies, muffins, all home made Open 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

Wembley Bar

To advertise in this section call

200 77748

10 South Barrack Ramp.

Tel: 200 78004

email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi

• Hot & cold bar snacks • Function room

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

now also in Casemates

Just A Nibble Licensed Cafeteria Let the ‘A’ Team serve you up a snack or a meal.

Daily Specials • Varied Menu

Open from 9am First Floor ICC, Main Street THE PLACE TO MEET

Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Beers & Soft Drinks Distributors Est. 1839

35 Devil’s Tower Road, Gibraltar. Telephone: (350) 200 74600 Telefax: (350) 200 77031 e-mail: mail@sacspeed.gi A Member of The Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Group of Companies GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• JANUARY MAY 20102010

81 81

restaurants 14 on the Quay Unit 14, Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 43731 Open for lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner, 14 on the Quay offers a relaxed atmosphere inside and al fresco dining for every occasion.

The international menu changes on a monthly basis to offer a wide variety of choice each time you visit and you can wind up your evening with a refreshing cocktail as you watch one of the marina’s spectacular sunsets.

Open: 12 midday - late every day, Sundays 12 midday - 4pm Brunos The Boardwalk, Marina Bay. Tel: 216 25555 A modern marina-side restaurant which offers a selection of classical, contemporary and local dishes. Choose from a variety of starters such as baked goat’s cheese or smoked mackerel pâté before your main dish with choices of meat, fish or vegetarian options. Alternatively you can go for the favourites which include home-made burgers or pizzas through to steamed mussels or chicken Caesar salad to name a few. Bruno’s other offering is their tapas selection where you can choose any three dishes served with homemade crostini for just £6.50. If you have any special dietary requirements, just ask the staff and they’ll be happy to accommodate you wherever possible.

Open: 10am until late (kitchen until 11pm) l Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449 Modern Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square. Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard. No smoking inside. Free WiFi. l Cafe Rojo 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738 Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee. Brunch menu (10am-12pm) includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious desserts (chocolate mousse in a must). Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner 7-10pm includes Roast Pumpkin, Mushroom, & Spinach Curry; Marinated Tuna Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; pasta dishes such as Langoustine, Lime & Coconut; Pear, Walnut & Blue Cheese; and Creamy Mixed Seafood; and salads such as Warm Goats’ Cheese, Fresh Spinach & Chargrilled Aubergine; and Roast Duck, Chorizo & Pancetta Salad.

fillet of seabass, baked Dorada or host, Gary, suggests the prime Argentinean steak. Desserts include apple crumble or Wild Berry Eton Mess amongst others.

Open: Monday to Friday 12 midday to 11pm, Saturdays 7pm to 11pm The Mexican Grill and Bar Unit 2B The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 46668 The Mexican Grill and Bar serves all the favourite Mexican dishes from Nachos, Quesadillas and Chimichangas (rolled flour tortilla with spicy chicken, chilli beef or vegetables, deep fried, served with Mexican rice and salad and guacamole, salsa or sour cream), to Burritos (like Chimichangas but oven baked), El Gringos Chilli con Carne, or Cheese Holy Mole Enchiladas. Don’t forget Big Eat Homemade Burgers (5 to choose from) and from the grill barbecue Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and combos, steaks and chicken. Salads and sides Saturday lunch. to order. Decorated is warm Mexican colours with comfortable seating in the no-smoking, Casa Pepe air-conditioned interior or outside on the patio, 18 Queensway Quay Marina. great for a fun night out. Available for private Tel/Fax: 200 46967 bookings and children’s parties.

Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com Open: lunch and dinner 12 noon to late Situated right on the water front at Queensway Quay, Casa Pepe has a comprehensive a la carte Maharaja Indian Restaurants menu which includes dishes such as melon & Tuckey’s Lane. Tel: 200 75233 Serrano ham, stuffed piquillo peppers and filled Queensway Quay Marina. Tel: 200 50733 mushrooms to start, followed by a choice of sal- With two restaurants, one in the town centre and ads, rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat another on the quayside of Queensway Quay, the dishes which include King Prawns Macarena Maharaja restaurants have been a well known (cooked with fresh ginger, tomatoes, mangos and name in Gibraltar for nearly 40 years. Whilst bananas served with basmati rice, fried bread each restaurant offers a slightly different menu, and bananas), Medallions of monkfish cooked you’ll find traditional Indian cooking in these with white wine and lobster sauce, duck breast recently refurbished restaurants with plenty of Armanac-style (with Cognac, mushrooms and choice to cater to your taste. The Maharaja offers pine nuts), Medallions of pork loin cooked with vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes throughout Serrano ham and dry Jerez sherry, and fillet steak its range of starters and main dishes, and don’t be Malagueña cooked in creamy garlic mushrooms scared to ask them to spice up the dishes just to and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns. your liking. The extensive wine list covers reds, Wide range of tapas/raciones also available. roses, whites as well as cava and champagne for Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late. that special night out. And if you’re planning a night in, you can use their take-away service.

Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Open: Maharaja Tuckey’s Lane: Monday 10amCaleta Hotel, Catalan Bay 4pm, Tues - Sun 10am-4pm & 7pm-midnight For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 Maharaja Queensway Quay: Tues - Sun 12-4pm E-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi & 7pm-Midnight Overlooking the Mediterranean from Catalan Bay, Nunos’ Spanish chef with Three Star Michel- Savannah Lounge lin experience offers a variety of Italian cuisine. 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village The restaurant has now moved from its location Tel: 200 66666 www.savanna.gi on the lower floors and can now be found at the Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, reception level of the hotel. A quick peak at the Savannah has been created with fun and style in menu reveals the chef’s celebrated Salmorejo mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine is on the menu, as are his baby squid burgers a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good (Insalata di Calamari). From the main dishes you music. The venue hosts regular events with can choose from a variety of fresh fish and meat invited DJs and shows from abroad. dishes. Or you could go for the house speciality Open: Sunday-Thurs midday-midnight, Friday of fresh, home-made pasta where you can choose and Saturday midday-5am. from a wide range of options. Open: Monday to Saturday 19.30 to 22.30 and lunchtimes for The Waterfront group bookings.

Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 45666 The Waterfront is a very popular restaurant The Boat Yard Restaurant & Cocktail Bar located right on the quayside at Queensway Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 50540 Quay Marina. There are different areas for eatStylish chill-out lounge and restaurant on the ing and drinking, including the restaurant and quayside at Queensway Quay. Enjoy a pre-din- bar, a large covered terrace with chandeliers and ner drink or stay on a while after trying their an open quayside terrace. There is an extensive fresh selection from their daily menus which menu to cater for all tastes including meat, fish include slow roast rack of lamb, line caught and vegetarian dishes, along with salads and

l = full menus online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 82

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

oriental food. The specials menu is changed daily and includes starters of lobster and prawn cocktail, fresh soup which is made daily and served with crusty bread, or Alaskan crab salad.

The specials menu also tempts you with dishes such as Coca Cola marinated lamb shank served with oven roasted garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes, and the ever popular in-house aged steaks that can be served with a variety of sauces, or fresh Dorada, sea bass and salmon. For those who enjoy the sweeter things in life there is proper homemade banoffee or apple pie, cheese cakes and strudels.

Open: 7 days a week from 9am to late.

The Water Margin 5 Ocean Village Promenade, Tel: 200 73668 Gibraltar’s premier Chinese restaurant serving freshly cooked traditional Chinese dishes in the beautiful Ocean Village marina. Check out the outstanding aromatic crispy duck, the special duck slow cooked with honey and chilli or the freshly caught seabass delicately steamed with ginger and spring onion, popular with families looking for a relaxing night dining. No microwave oven or flavour enhancer (MSG) used in this establishment. Home delivery service.

Open: 7 days a week, evening from 6pm, lunch from 12:30pm

informaleating Amin's The Office 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932 Sit down, informal and friendly restaurant.

Amin is well known in Gibraltar for his Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisine.

Open early for breakfast at 7am right through the day. Try the Moroccan soups, couscous, lamb tagines and kebabs.

Open: 7.00am to midnight.

Buddies Pasta Casa 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627 Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large selection of starters from garlic bread to calamari. Main courses include spinach caneloni, spaghetti alla carbonara, fusilli al salmone, and peppered steak to name a few.

Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm, Sat 11am-4.30pm

Munchies Cafe 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390 A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual range of sandwiches on white or granary bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinks.

Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Open: Mon - Fri 8.30-7, Sat 9 - 4, Closed Sun. Picadilly Gardens Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758 Relaxed bar restaurant with cosy garden terrace just across the road from the cable car. English breakfast, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or take away. Menu of the day only £6. Open: early to late.

Just A Nibble 1st Flr ICC Tel: 200 78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and snacks. Meals include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli con carne, and a great new range of pies (from Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole range of tasty alternatives) plus all the old favourites; jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014 Bright and airy, recently redecorated cafe on the first floor of the ICC. All home-made food including daily specials, vegetarian options and desserts. Eat in or take-away. Try their daily roast with everything on or their all-day breakfast. Non-smoking restaurant with terrace smoking area. Friendly, cheerful and fully licensed with sensible prices.

Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

The London Bar & Bistro Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 77172 A cosy traditional English-style pub with a family-orientated atmosphere serving traditional pub food with a touch of Mediterranean flair.

Favourites include fillet steak, mixed grill, filled jackets, quiche and salads, not to mention the all-day breakfast all served from the open-plan kitchen where you can see the dishes as they are prepared. Reserve for business lunch, or call in for Get Joost the more informal Friday evening where from 5 to 248 Main Street & Casemates.

7pm Pillie serves a free tapa with every drink.

Tel/Fax: 200 76699 Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and Open: Monday - Friday 9am to midnight, increasingly popular for the health concious. Saturday-Sunday midday to 1am Get Joost makes delicious fresh fruit juices and smoothies made from natural ingredients. The Mumbai Curry House top five smoothies they sell are wild strawberry; Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 breakie on the run; energy blast; raspberry ice; Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 and tropical surrender.

Open: 8-7 Mon -Friday, 10-7 Sat, 10-6 Sunday. Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with Get Stuffed sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving piaza... in fact all you would expect from an all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, Indian cuisine take-away. Large vegetarian pasta, pies, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks selection. Halal food is available, as is outside and smoothies and a different special every day. catering for parties and meetings. Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Outside catering for corporate parties.

Dosa and Choley Bhature.

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat. Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm -late.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

l Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625 Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Sat Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers. Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Breakfast from 8.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solo Express Ground Flr, International Commercial Centre Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes (white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or hummous, avocado and roasted red pepper. The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta, etc and are great value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes (such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout the day.

Eat-in available. Soups in winter months. Free Wifi.

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town. Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of!

Open: Monday - Saturday.

Verdi Verdi 44 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 200 60733 Verdi Verdi offers morning and afternoon coffee as well as all home-made vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh baked bread and desserts. A wide selection of sandwiches to eat in or take away.

Open: Mon-Thurs 9-6pm, Fri 9-4pm, Sun 104pm

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bars&pubs All’s Well Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987 Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area.

Named for the 18th century practice of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced ‘All’s Well’ before handing the keys to the watch. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast served all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod and chips and steak & ale pie are complemented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke every Monday and Wednesday until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

Savannah Lounge 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, Savannah has been created with fun and style in mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good music. The venue hosts regular events with invited DJs and shows from abroad. Open: SundayThurs midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

Cannon Bar 27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288 Jane is still there and still packed out with tourists and regulars! Word has it that she nearly managed to escape, but wasn’t allowed to. The famous fish and chips, the odd French speciality, there’s always something happening in the Cannon!

Located between Marks & Spencer and the Cathedral just off Main Street. Quiz night on Tuesdays, get there early as it is definitely the place to be on a normally quiet Gibraltar Tuesday.

bruschetta, Lordy’s potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con carne and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips. Try one of the salads or Nelson’s platters. Jacket potatoes, burgers and children’s menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music Venue Trafalgar Sports Bar of the Year, with live music on stage every night. 1A Rosia Road Tel: 200 45370 Free Wifi. Open: from 10am till very late.

Situated just past the south end of Main Street through Southport Gates, the Trafalgar Sports The Lounge Bar offers a traditional British pub environment Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Serving a hot Stylish bar right on the quayside with very reason- buffet Monday to Saturday and a roast carvery on ably priced drinks and light bites. Free WiFi, quiz- Sundays they also serve many other dishes such zes on Sundays (7.30pm) and a relaxed friendly as spare ribs, currys or lasagna. The establishment atmosphere. Great place to chill out. Open: 7 also has three large 62” screens where they cover days a week 1pm-late. all major sporting events. Open: 9am-1am Monday to Saturday, Sunday 9am-midnight O’Reilly’s Leisure Island, Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888 The Three Owls Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports coverage Irish Town. Tel: 200 77446 and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from 9am). The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best Guinness on draught. Food includes salads, jack- of English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ets, beef and Guinness ale pie, Molly’s mussels, ground floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato pancake machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily. First wrapped around delicioius fillings), sandwiches, floor ‘Hoots’ bar — two match pool tables, poker rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And machines, darts board, bar — open from 5pm just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a daily. Second Floor the ‘Nest’ — American pool great atmosphere for all. table, poker machine, card table, bar — open from 7pm daily and also at weekends for the Rugby Pickwicks Union matches. If you are looking for a sociable Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 76488 game of pool or darts this is the place to be.

Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy, this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Gov- Wembley Bar ernor’s Parade away from the traffic and safe for 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 all the family. Good food available including the Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast. salads and burgers. Open: Mon - Fri from 9.30am Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Location: turn off Main St at Marks & Spencer, Supporter’s Club. go up steps to Governor’s Parade (opposite the Open: 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am Elliot Hotel).

- 1am Friday, 11am - 1am Saturdays.

The Final Whistle 4, Cornwall’s Parade Friendly sports bar with six screens. If it’s live, it’s on, and often more than one game on at a time for full sports coverage. Fun atmosphere with special offers during premier matches. All sports fans welcome.

Open 10am until late, 7 days a week.

The Gibraltar Arms 184 Main St. Tel: 200 72133 www.gibraltararms.gi Good food served all day at this typical pub right on Main Street. Everything from all day breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Terrace seating right on Main Street to watch the world go by. Open: from 8am (10am Sundays) until late.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 www.lordnelson.gi E-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to represent Nelson’s ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace Starter s& snacks include fresh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket

The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this small cosy bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal). Lunch/evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Home of Med Golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters club. Outside seating. Open: from 7am every day. Located: first right off Main St (walking from N to S).

Pickwicks on Governor’s Parade

Tel: 200 76488 (opposite the Eliott Hotel)

The Best Sandwiches made especially for you as well as Jackets•Salads•Burgers and a whole lot more

open Monday to Friday from 9.30am

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

food

“

I like to cook for the youth of today, with lots of colour...

Mediterranean styles with little or no fat. Healthy, fun and tasty

”

new chef

on the solo team Imre Erdélyi, or Imi as he’s known to friends, joined the team at Cafe Solo in Casemates last month, bringing with him the experience of working in top class kitchens in Hungary as well as the prestigious three Michelin star restaurant, the Novelli, in Vienna where he has worked for the last eight years.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Located in Casemates Square at the entrance to Main Street, Cafe Solo has always been popular, with a large outdoor terrace and strictly non-smoking interior decorated with local artwork.

Quick service has given the venue a reputation for business lunches, and in the evenings it is often the place of choice for parties. So how is Imi settling in after working in Austria?

Imi arrived in Gibraltar at the beginning of 2010 to join his brother who has already settled on the Rock.

“Eight years of the cold in Austria was enough for me,” Imi told us, “and I really want to learn English and Spanish too, so with the Mediterranean climate, Gibraltar is a good place to be. It is an interesting place for me with its Mediterranean culture, but very English too.”

Imi’s English is already more than acceptable and he’s settled in to the Cafe Solo kitchen with ease along with the two other chefs, and along with the regular menu, is creating a special each day of his own.

Imi is used to working in a busy kitchen though. “We were seven chefs working to provide 40 services midday and 80 in the evenings,” Imi told us of his time at the Novelli. “Each dish was perfect in presentation, taste and quality. It was a busy but exciting environment to work in.”

Imi therefore brings a lot of extra skill to the Cafe Solo kitchen.

“We always give our chef’s the opportunity to create their own special each day,” manager Frank explained. “It’s good for the restaurant to make use of the skills which chef’s like Imi bring with them from abroad and it means we can offer new flavours which keeps the clientele coming back.”

Imi added: “I like to cook for the youth of today, with lots of colour.

I don’t like heavy dishes, but Mediterranean styles with little or no fat. Healthy, fun and tasty.”

Imi lives a healthy lifestyle outside the kitchen and enjoys cycling and running — and his favourite dishes to work with use fresh fish, something he’ll find in abundance in and around Gibraltar. n

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A ro u n d To w n .. .

a light-he arte d look at Gibralta r soc

iety

What better way to start the May edition than with news of two bouncing babies... First it is congratulations to Brian and Teresa of Kitchens by Design on the birth of their gorgeous baby, Amanda, born last month weighing in at a healthy 3.5kg! And congratulations also to Chris and Amanda on the birth of their baby boy, Max (weighing 7lb 7oz) — first grandchild for delighted grandparents Kevin and Rosie Peach.

May We Have Fun? There is a lot going on in Gibraltar this May, from kiddies fun days (1st and 15th) to dance shows, the amazing show of classic vehicles at Casemates on 22nd, painting competitions (15th), and even an open day at the museum (also 15th)... and if you are in the mood to sit back and have a laugh, Holiday Snap will be on at Ince’s Hall Theatre from 25th-27th May. Certainly no excuse for having nothing to do this month and with the good weather finally here, roll on summer too!

A Young Man’s Fancy And now a romantic tale and news of an engagement. Gareth Alvarez proposed to Nikki Bolus whilst high above the slopes in Sierra Nevada last month. Nikki, of course, said “yes” and they are set to get married in July next year. Ain’t love grand!

Many Happies Birthdays this month start with Thomas Johnson’s 21st birthday on the 1st (he’s presently cooking up a storm on his Gib Regiment chef’s training course in Winchester), John Hunter on 3rd, Ivan Easter who is 21 again, Aida and Luis of Cafe Rojo, Sergio who will the 80 years young in May, Steph Rowley of Stan James, regular visitor Claudio on 18th, and Marvin of NatWest on 19th. Many happy returns to them all.

Photos: Anglo Hispano wine tasting in the Elliot Hotel (photos by Sue Walsh)

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

Speed King Who was it who was caught recently doing 82.9 km per hour on the road from Sotogrande to Gibraltar? Nothing unusual you might say... until you realise he was on a bicycle (and he has photographic evidence of his speedo for proof!). The culprit was, of course, Andrew Tucker who is in training for the charity hike up Jebel Toubkal in Morocco this month. Good luck to him and to the rest of the trekkers — they are raising loads of money for worthwhile causes.

Dedication — that’s what you need The volcanic ash affected lots of travellers last month and some people had to cancel their plans, but one well known Gibraltar business couple didn’t let a bit of ash stop them get home. They caught a London cab all the way to Gibraltar!

Carping On Keen anglers Graham Noon and John Tattersall recently won the Portuguese Carp Fishing Championship so will be off to France this month to fish for Gibraltar’s carping honour. Well done to them and good luck in the competition. Good luck also to our Taekwando stars Brandon and Wayne, who will be respesenting Gibraltar in Bournemouth this month. We are sure they will all do us proud, and show what great sports everyone from Gibraltar is.

Thanks Finally, we’ve been asked by RICC (Research Into Childhood Cancer) to say a big “thank you” to all the staff at Jyske Bank for raising funds in the local charity’s 20th anniversary year.

Well that’s it for this month. There are 25 cruise ships visiting this month so Main Street will be buzzing again, so we may well see you on Irish Town!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

This photo and above: Party time in Savnnah

85 87 93

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

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

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

The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355 .

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm-11pm All welcome.

Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 - 11pm.

Dance Adult Dance Classes Wednesday evenings at the Youth Disco Room, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Cha-Cha, Salsa and Merengue. Lessons £5 and all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or dance@trainingtm.net Salsa Gibraltar Salsa classes held Tuesdays at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm, £5 per lesson. Intermediates 8.30-10pm, £6 per lesson (all profits going to the charity Help Us To Help Them). Contact: Mike 54472000 Email: info@salsagibraltar.com website: www.salsagibraltar.com Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome.

Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday.

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 78282 or e-mail manvio@ gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2 - 5.30pm.

All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Hip Hop classes for adults Mondays 6.15pm to 7.15pm, Hip Hop classes for boys and girls Tuesdays 4.15pm to 5.15 - Urban Dance, Jumpers Dance Studio History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Lili 200 40035, 54006727 St Andrew’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@ hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road, Gibraltar Tel: 200 59818 Reg. Charity No: 61

88

Don’t be bored... do something fun!

Quizzes Cannon Bar quizzes are held on Tuesdays starting with a warm up, then two other quizzes, including a theme quiz. Starts at 8.30pm, all welcome and prizes are given. Free entrance but a donation to charity is requested. Tapas served after the quiz.

The Lounge friendly quizzes take place on Sundays from 8pm right on the quayside at Queensway Quay.

Social Clubs Scots on the Rock: Any Scots visiting the Rock can contact Charles Polson (Tel: 200 78142) for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm. Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm.

Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm. Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri/month 8pm.

Special Interest Clubs & Societies Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, John Mac Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome.

Gibraltar Philosophical Society devoted to intellectually stimulating debate. Frequent lectures and seminars on a range of topics. Contact 54008426 (after 6pm) or email gibphilosophy@ live.co.uk for further information.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at 8pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners’ Club www.hdcgib. com UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Creative Writers Group meet every Tuesday at the Eliott Hotel bar at 8pm. The workshop is run

by Carla, Tel: 54006696 and is aimed at learning to write fiction and non-fiction, for pleasure or publication. Each session is £5.00.

Sports Supporters Clubs The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check the game is televised. Great food for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For info call Mario on 56280000.

Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club meet on match days at the Casino Calpe (Ground Floor).

Gooners of all ages welcome. Tel: Bill 54010681 or Dion 56619000. Website: www.clubwebsite. co.uk/ArsenalGibraltarSC/.

Gibraltar Hammers meet on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome. For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or e-mail gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association club for beginners, juniors and squad at Bayside School in evenings. Tel: 200 Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA & EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441.

Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round leagues and competitions at various venues.

New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 200 72142 or Peter 200 77307.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest

Victory (200 75513 w, 200 42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/ Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training. Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.

Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages October-May. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly. Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates. Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front.

Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: Moira 200 41795 or Suzette 200 41874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 200 70929.

Pilates - at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre Mondays 1pm-2pm and Wednesdays from 1pm - 2pm and 5.30-6.30pm. For further enquiries call Chantal 60518882 or email: chan_elle82@ yahoo.co.uk.

Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season. Tel: Linda 200 74753.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards weekday evenings.

Tel: Christine 200 74661 or 54015533.

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

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

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

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not used for roller hockey training). Tel: Eric 200 70710 (after 5).

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

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

& ESF). Adult/junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs.

Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah’s Dive Club Tel: Leslie 200 79601, 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944. Commercial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8.45am, 12- 4pm, 8- 9pm. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Lizanne 200 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: 200 Mari 44142.

Tai Chi: Children’s fun Tai Chi at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range, Saturdays 11-12am. Beginners Tuesdays & Thursdays at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre. 6.30-8pm. Adults £5, Children £2, all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or rocktaichi@traningtm.net Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Contact Charly on 56014000 or Paul on 54029749.

Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847.

Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, competitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-mail: gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk Clubs, Associations, should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine gibmag@gibraltar.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

support

pet problems

Support Groups/ Associations Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support group for single, separated, divorced or widowed people. Meet 8pm Mondays at St Andrew’s Church.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 6pm - 10pm.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@ cab.gi or visit 10 Governor’s Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge.

Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard’s Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month.

Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8 Serfaty’s Passage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group of those with compulsive overeating problem. Tel: helpline for details of meetings 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren.

Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meetings Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481. E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Marie 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence.

Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

Sue Orfila of Orginarta

originata weathers the storm The wet weather has affected most of us, but Sue Orfila of Originata had a bit of a shock when she found her gallery and workshop completely flooded a month or two ago.

Thankfully, all has been fixed, and Sue is now open for business as usual offering flower arranging classes on a weekly basis and craft classes every month too.

You can find her at 28 Governor’s Street, just

Gibraltar represented at Southern Taekwondo Championships

Brandon Tosso

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010

along from the top entrance to City Mill Lane. If you want to find out more about the arts and crafts she can teach you, pop in or give her a call on 56750000. you can also drop her an email to sueorfila@yahoo. co.uk. n

Wayne Estella

Brandon Tosso and Wayne Estella will be representing the Gibraltar Taekwondo Association at the Southern Taekwondo Championships being held in Bournemouth, UK on 15th and 16th of this month.

Brandon will be competing in the under 76kg category and Wayne will be taking part in the under 80kg.

The UK competions are the closest platform for locals training for their next Kup or Dan to to be involved in national competitions, which helps to motivate them for greater things in the future. n

89

information

A

dmission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle). Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Adults £10, children 5-12 years: £5, children age 4 and under free, vehicles £2. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times, tours available by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm). 50p per person to walk with no entrance tickets.

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It’s a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michael’s Cave: The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall.

A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an auditorium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael’s Cave and can be visited with a guide.

The Monkeys’ Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey’s Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe’s only free living monkeys. £500 fine for feeding the monkeys - don’t do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

of the earliest British building on the Rock.

Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad (“Gibraltar” is a corruption of the Arabic words “Jebel Tarik” - Tarik’s mountain). The part we see today, The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu’l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain.

Another recommended walk is St Michael’s Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds.

Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking.

Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket.

Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a

unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’. TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

per Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar.

UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm - 2pm.

John Mackintosh Hall.......Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Business Information

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission ......Tel: 200 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi Chamber of Commerce.......Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business.Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry...............Tel: 200 78193

Useful Numbers

Airport (general info.)..........Tel: 200 73026 Hospital, St Bernards..........Tel: 200 79700 Weather information.................Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update.......Tel: 200 42777

General Information

Gibraltar Museum.............Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am - 6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Exhibitions also at Casemates gallery.

Registry Office...................Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi............Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Up-

Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance.......................Tel: 190 Police...............................Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number...............Tel: 112

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one

History Alive

Every Saturday morning the Rock’s past is brought alive by a troop of soldiers in 18th century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at 12 noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a “Ceremony of the Keys” and then march back up Main Street to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.

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Gibraltar Bus Company Routes

Public Holidays 2010

New Year’s Day Friday 1 January Commonwealth Day * Monday 8 March Good Friday Friday 2 April Easter Monday Monday 5 April May Day Monday 3 May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 31 May Queen’s Birthday * Monday 14 June Late Summer Holiday Monday 30 August Gibraltar National Day * Friday 10 September Christmas Day Monday 27 December (in lieu of Saturday 25 December) Boxing Day Tuesday 28 December (in lieu of Sunday 26 December) *Gibraltar Only Spain Fixed: New Year’s Day 1 January, Epiphany 6 January, St Joseph’s Day 19 March, Labour Day 1 May, St John 24 June, St James 25 July, Assumption Day 15 August, National Day 12 October, All Saints 1 November, Immaculate Conception 8 December, Christmas 25 December Moveable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station..........Tel: 200 75728 Police...............................Tel: 200 72500 Gibraltar Services Police: Emergency Nos: ....Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar.

Tel/Fax: (+350) 77748

Natural History & Heritage Park

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • July MAY2004 2010

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