Gibraltar Magazine December

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

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ibraltar the

December 2011 Vol. 17 No. 02 FREE

Keeping Up Appearances It Takes Two To Tango

Santa’s in Gibraltar for Christmas Banking on a Bright future

Festively Fabulous

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what’s inside

history & heritage 42 58 61

features Sounds of Mexico with the Gentleman € Are you the Face of Gibraltar Faster Than Magic Our Youth Go Global X

arts & lifestyle 40 44 54 56 62 64 68 73 74 80

Calpe House

business & finance 8 9 12 14 16 20 22

Business & Finance Guide Santa’s in Gibraltar for Christmas Business Column: the Next Step Banking on a Bright Future Steve Grainger: A Broad Perspective Recruitment: Are You Happy at Work Ibex at Lloyd’s Award €

property files 30 32 33 34 36 38

Patricia Darch Opening Property Directory Dazzling Delights The Festive Table Keeping Up Appearances Buena Vista Mews

health & beauty 48 49 52

30-39

50-53

School Bags & Back Pain Caring in the Community Health Directory

food & drink

84-93

84 Festively Fabulous 86 Christmas Market 88-91 Restaurant & Bar Guide 92 Christmas Wine Guide

regulars 72 Puzzle Page 94-95Around Town

information

66-67 98

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City Centre Map Gibraltar Information

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

26 57 70 76 82

Mary Seacole: A Brief Gibraltar Encounter Thomas Bunbury: An Old Veteran’s Tale Happy Christmas and a Summer Tragedy

Where in the World Music, Artistry & Infamy € Giles Ramirez: Ultimately Calendar of Events Tear up, Cosqui: Popism is born Art for Art’s Sake Celebrating Fifty Years of Beauty Diwali celebrations Come in Leon the Rock’s Chameleons Raul Rusconi: Takes 2 to Tango

gibraltar the

December 2011 Vol. 17 No. 02 FREE

Keeping Up Appearances It Takes Two To Tango

Santa’s in Gibraltar for Christmas Banking on a Bright future

Festively Fabulous

Photo: Christmas Lights on Main Street

Vol. 17 No. 02 December 2011

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by

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Santa in Gibraltar for Christmas Santa Claus shivered as he emerged into the weak winter sunshine at Gibraltar’s southernmost tip. When he booked a Mediterranean Christmas break, he remembered reading about the re-development of Europa Point. Surely Gorham’s Cave had been given a makeover too? After all, wasn’t Gibraltar Woman found there — the one that would have been more famous than Neanderthal Man (for she was older) had it not been for clever marketing by those pesky Prussians or whatever they were.

But no, sad to report, Gorham’s Cave seemed to be as cold and inhospitable as it was during his first visit in 2009. He was past caring whether Gibraltar Woman was the oldest European human ever discovered — he thought there just might be another one stuck down there judging by that curious stench.

So what was this much loved Christmas figure up to by visiting Gibraltar in December? It was all due to his age. He blamed HM the Queen — 85-years-old and she’d just done a tour down under. And in 2012, not just the Olympics but her Diamond Jubilee too. “Face it,” he said to himself, “she might be much loved and all that, but she’s made us older chaps feel really guilty about retiring.”

Then there was Rudolph to consider. He wasn’t getting any younger and the cold was getting to his antlers. So Santa decided that this year, he would outsource all his seasonal duties to some out of work investment bankers — who’d set up a grotto in his name in the City.

Santa decided wisely to pack it all in and spend “the holidays”, as Christmas now seems to be called, here in Gibraltar.

But after hundreds of years, what’s a chap to do at Christmas if not dispense good cheer and bonhomie? He was bored, but remembered his old friends The Rock Family. He reminded

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

himself all about “The Rocks” by looking up the December 2009 edition at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com. He went off in search of them.

It had all changed quite a bit, what with King’s Wharf and the other new developments on the west side. And what about the new buses? They might be free but he wasn’t allowed on. Anyway Rudolph gets a bit upset as he has the monopoly on Santa transport but the sleigh is a difficult vehicle to manage in the Upper Town. They settled on a pair of the new Gibibikes and out stepped our hero to see what the Rock family wanted for Christmas.

“Ho-ho-ho,” went the doorbell that had

Santa decided that this year, he would outsource all his seasonal duties to some out of work investment bankers — who’d set up a grotto in his name in the City

been adjusted for the season. The festive lights flickered as the neighbours’ own lights went out altogether. Santa had read about all the new buildings putting a demand on the electricity but all he’d done was ring the bell, honest.

After what seemed an age, Mrs. Rock duly appeared at the door, albeit after some none too discreet curtain twitching. She didn’t seem over keen to greet the visitor but smiled at him weakly. “If you’re coming in, wipe your reindeer’s paws, vale?”

Santa breezed in as Rudolph trailed rather mournfully behind. The whole family was at home — Mr. Rock Senior (miserable as sin, as always), Number One son, daughter-in-law and baby, and the 20-year-old rascal that passed for Number Two son. Santa smiled — for that is what Santa does — and told them he wanted to gift them finance-related presents for Christmas.

Old man Rock just wanted some crisp £20 notes — “and not any of those that were taken out of circulation in the summer if it’s all the same to you”. He explained that he’d been given one in his change in the bar the day before and was lost as to what to do with it. The problem was that his bank account was empty and they wouldn’t give him an overdraft. That’s because his credit card was full — or “maxed out” as his

business & finance second son called it. He was going to be in for a very austere time if Santa didn’t come to the rescue with some readies.

Mrs Rock had other things on her mind. She didn’t want pounds because she was going to Spain to get her Christmas shopping. Loyal shopper in Gibraltar she wasn’t. Could Santa please do something about the exchange rate?

“So I can get more euros for my pounds,” she said. Santa looked at Rudolph who rolled his droopy eyes under his antlers. “How many more times Mrs. Rock?” pleaded Santa. “The plural of euro is still euro, not euros.” She really didn’t care — it was all Greek to her! She was sure there was a joke in there somewhere, if only she could understand it.

She tried another tack. “Alright then, what about a higher interest rate for my savings?”

Santa explained that this was another thing altogether but that because of the economic situation, she was unlikely to see the rate rising any time soon. “It’s all to do with no money being around you see?” She told him she didn’t see at all and disappeared into the kitchen.

Santa turned to the next generation. “And what would you like by way of a financial present this Christmas?” he asked Number One son and his wife. They pondered for a second — and the baby pouted. They do a lot of pondering these days now that all their money goes towards the little one’s upkeep. They explained that what they really wanted was low interest rates so their mortgage payments would remain affordable. Exactly the opposite present to the one demanded by Mother Rock who wanted higher rates for her savings.

Santa explained that the “base rate” was likely to stay at very low levels for quite a while longer.

The banks are free to set whatever rate their clients would accept — if they were prepared to lend in the first place. Then there was the

“arrangement” fee that can add a fair amount on to the real effective interest rate.

So rates for savings were low and rates for mortgages can work out to be comparatively high, if you can get the loan in the first place.

Not really what the young family wanted to hear. Santa felt his despair coming on again.

The same feeling he got last year when he spent Christmas spending money with the Greek Prime Minister — but that was quite another story.

Then Number Two son piped up. “OK then clever Santa,” he sneered, “what’s all this about quantitative easing, then?” Santa was startled. It turned out that the lad was studying economics.

“Crikey,” thought Santa. “A know-all; just what this family needs”.

He thought about his answer for a moment, wondering whether he should even start attempting to explain that it was when governments issue new debt by paying for it themselves thereby increasing the amount of money in circulation, when old Mrs Rock returned and chimed in. “Quantitative easing?

Isn’t that what cousin Cloti had last year, dear?

You remember; when she was suffering from her trouble. She got some ointment and that sorted it though.”

Santa felt his despair coming on again. The same feeling he got last year when he spent Christmas spending money with the Greek Prime Minister — but that was quite another story

Rudolph raised his eyes again, pointed at his watch and brayed, “Come on Santa, we’ve got to go”. Santa looked round at the family and had to agree. They all want something different but they can’t all be satisfied because if one person is happy that can only mean that the others are not — economics just doesn’t allow it.

Santa decided to send them all an M&S voucher — they’re very nice they are — and he went back to the Cave with Rudolph for the rest of the holidays. Actually it wasn’t too bad there, after all. As he settled down to his Christmas dinner whilst Rudolph went to play with the apes on the Upper Rock, Santa reflected on the year just past.

As he took out the new jumbo Su-Doku book that his favourite reindeer had bought him for Christmas, he grinned as he contemplated a few days away from worrying about the economy. If it’s all going to pot, he thought to himself, this here Gibraltar is just about the best place until it’s all sorted.

He looked at his Christmas cards and picked up the one from that odd bloke at Sovereign Trust who keeps writing about things. What did it say again? Ah yes.

A very Merry Christmas from all the staff at Sovereign Trust, Gibraltar — and a Prosperous and Happy New Year 2012.

He felt jolly once again. n

Isolas to address Lloyds Annual Maritime Academy Conference The 17th Lloyds Annual Maritime Academy Ship Arrest Conference will be held on 1st December in London and will once again be focusing on arresting ships worldwide. This year’s edition, one of the most prestigious conferences for Shipping on the London calendar, is designed to offer delegates an insight into the practical analysis of the law in key geographical jurisdictions.

Christian Hernandez, the Head of Isolas’ Shipping practice and a regular speaker on Ship Arrest will, once again, be addressing the conference.

The event will centre on analysing the procedural requirements, if and when you can arrest a ship, the issues to consider after the arrest, understanding the law in several jurisdictions as well as providing helpful insight into current market values, one of the fundamental issues to consider when contemplating an arrest anywhere in the world.

10

As the surge in loan defaults and ship arrests continues, the speakers will discuss the relevant matters of trends and insolvency issues in various jurisdictions.

Isolas’ continued inclusion in conferences of this nature reinforces Gibraltar’s reputation as one of the leading jurisdictions for ship arrest, not just in the Mediterranean, but on a global level.

The Lloyds Annual Maritime Academy Ship Arrest conference is organised by the Lloyds Maritime

Academy and is in its 16th year. It is considered the leading conference of its kind. Commenting on the Conference, Hernandez said: “I am honoured to have been invited once again to address such a prestigious conference. It’s a brilliant opportunity to illustrate the importance of Gibraltar as a jurisdiction which offers many advantages over its neighbours in the context of arresting a ship.

It is also an opportunity to showcase the firm’s expertise and reputation as one of the leading players in the market.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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The Next Step...

Back in September, we discussed the importance of having a business plan and touched on the key areas that the plan should cover. I also mentioned that you may need your plan to convince an investor or lender to support your business and over the next few months I will be going through with you step by step the areas that should be covered in your plan. Don’t forget that this is a living document that should be reviewed regularly to help you monitor the success of your business.

So to the details of the plan. The first thing you need to include is a table of contents — this will list the main sections of your plan. I find business plans without a contents table are frustrating as it is difficult to find the part of the plan you wish to refer to without reading a good part of the document again!

Another tip this month is to make sure your plan starts off with an executive summary; this is all about creating first impressions and in a maximum of two pages you need to make sure your plan will stand out from the crowd.

This is especially important when your business idea is in direct competition to others as you will need to explain very early on what

12

makes your business different to all the others. You have to keep the reader interested so they keep on reading.

The executive summary needs to be easy to read, comprehensive and concise. Quite frankly, if you can’t convince me in a maximum of two pages that what you have in your plan is a winner, then all the work you will have put into the plan beyond page two will be a waste of time as in the majority of cases it just won’t be read.

So what should this executive summary look like?

I recommend you cover the following four main areas:

1 What

makes your product and

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

finance column service unique from others — what gives it that edge?

2 What experience do you and your

management team have in this market? It’s really important here that you can convince a lender or investor you are the team that can make this happen

3 How have you demonstrated your

business is going to stack up financially, and will be viable and profitable?

4 How and when will the lender or investor get their investment back?

opportunity, the focus of your planning will be leading up to your exit — the sale of your business. Your strategy must therefore focus on building your business quickly and maximising its value to get the best selling price possible.

Where do you want your business to be in five years? Try to visualise this so you can demonstrate how you will start to move your business towards that point.

Defining your business vision will help you identify clear and challenging objectives, and determine how you will go about achieving these goals as your venture evolves.

I am going to state the obvious, but it’s really key that early on in the executive summary you cover the following: Business description & purpose • Details of the business name and What exactly will your businames of the owners ness do? Be as specific as possible • Details of the products and ser- about the type of business you are starting. If you are going to open vices you are going to sell.

• A summary of your target market a restaurant, for example will it be a family restaurant serving and competition good-quality, local food at com• The amount of finance required, petitive prices in a family-friendly why it’s needed and for how long environment? Or will it be more it will be required upmarket, serving gourmet dishes • The amount of money you and your to discerning customers in an intipartners will be investing on day mate setting? one How will your products and Now that’s it… leave it there; services differ from those offered by your competitors? Why should short and sweet.

Let’s now go into the detail of customers want to come to you and how will you differentiate your the plan. business to make it successful?

When describing your business, Aims, objectives and vision For most people, the aim of start- think of it in terms of writing a ing up in business is to provide a mission statement. This statement degree of independence and the should give a clear summary of opportunity to generate a reason- the purpose of your business, and able income. However, investors should be easily understood by will want to know what really you, your staff, your customers and motivates you; so for example, it your potential investors.

If you cannot describe your will be important to consider the business in these specific terms, following types of questions: you should rethink your business • Why are you going into business idea, focusing on your business’ and what do you want out of it? core purpose, target audience and • Will the business supplement your mission. main income or replace it?

So let me finish here and I will • Are you starting the business as an continue in the New Year with investment, to sell as soon as you other key areas you will need to build into your plan. can?

Have a good Christmas break • Will your business provide jobs for and New Year and keep on planfamily members? ning. n The answers to questions like these will have an impact on your Paul Wharton is writing this in his business’ aims, development and own capacity and none of the above is strategy. For example, if you are intended to express the views or opinstarting a business as an investment ions of Barclays Bank PLC.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

13

career file tourism product

Banking on a Bright Future Barclays Wealth appoints Brent Boxley as Head of Operations in Gibraltar

A year is a long time, especially in business where a lot can change in 12 months.

Change is something that Brent Boxley, Head of Operations at Barclays Wealth, Gibraltar, knows all about, having arrived on ‘The Rock’ just three months ago to start his new role. Here, he describes his hopes for the business in 2012, his achievements so far and what drew him to Gibraltar.

Tell us what your role as Head of Operations at Barclays Wealth entails.

I am responsible along with the Senior management team for the customer journey from start to finish. I oversee the workings of the Main Street Branch and Regal House to make sure clients receive a fantastic experience - from the cashiers who, as the face of the branch, are the first point of contact, to the back office staff who process the transactions.

My job is to make sure client experience is at the forefront of everyone’s mind at Barclays

14

“

I’ve seen that my colleagues are a diverse and talented group of people. They are motivated and endeavour to be the best they can be

”

Wealth and to ensure our processes are streamlined to give added value to clients and relationship managers. It is really about promoting a partnership approach.

Where had your career taken you before you joined Barclays Wealth in Gibraltar?

I have worked in banking for 17 years and have worked as a cashier, a branch manager and was a financial advisor for a time. Therefore I understand what is important to clients and how back office functions can enhance the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

career file client experience.

Before coming to Barclays Wealth, I worked for Zurich Insurance where I was responsible for contact centres and the operational service teams in outsourcing call centres. I worked to enhance the experience clients receive and as a result the company was placed in the top ten of a poll of the best outsourcing call centres.

What challenges do you face in your new role and how are you equipped to deal with them?

One of the challenges I have encountered is gaining the trust of the team within Barclays Wealth in Gibraltar. We acknowledge we need to improve the level of customer experience and make sure that everything we do as a bank always comes back to how it impacts on the client so it was rewarding to gain the support of the team in this regard.

I’ve seen that my colleagues are a diverse and talented group of people. They are motivated and endeavour to be the best they can be in order to deliver the best possible service to clients.

What are your achievements to date?

My biggest achievement so far is gaining a deep understanding of the business and, more importantly of the community in which we operate. It helps me when thinking about how to take the business forward and how we can best benefit our client base.

What are your plans for 2012 regarding

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

business projects you wish to undertake?

I want to ensure that whatever we do in 2012, we look at ways to really raise the bar on client experience and challenge the way we do things both internally and externally. Most importantly, I want us to continue listening to feedback from clients. As for plans for the organisation, we are starting to upgrade our ATM network and have begun re-furbishing our client areas at the Main Street Branch.

What would you like to achieved by the end of 2012?

I want Barclays Wealth in Gibraltar to be the bank of choice, every time.

What attracted you to work on ‘The Rock?’

My grandfather was based in Gibraltar during World War Two, so we visited on a number of occasions with him. I also came on holiday here with my parents. It was those experiences,

“

I originally trained to be a farmer.

I attended agricultural college and even have a tractor driving licence, but the early mornings put me off!

”

coupled with the fact that Barclays Wealth is a strong and respected organisation, that really sealed it for me.

How do you like to spend your time outside the office?

I enjoy doing charity work. When I was living in England, I was Regional Chairperson for The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a national UK charity which provides free veterinary care for sick and injured animals.

My role was to support fundraising efforts in my region and we were delighted to have won The UK Fundraising Group of the Year Award in 2010. I’m still supporting their fundraising endeavours, but I would like to get involved with some other charities here in Gibraltar and have seen that Barclays Wealth is actively involved with charity and the community.

Had you not embarked on a career in finance, what would you have liked to do?

I originally trained to be a farmer. I attended agricultural college and even have a tractor driving licence, but the early mornings put me off! Instead I took a Business and Finance Diploma and gained my Financial Planning & Pension Certificates. And the rest, as they say, is history.

I am delighted to be working for Barclays Wealth in Gibraltar. I am looking forward to 2012 when I can meet more clients, enhance customer experience and play a part in the life of the community. n

15

Steve Grainger:

Bringing a Broad Perspective Steve Grainger has recently taken over the role of Managing Director at Fiduciary Management Ltd — we caught up with him to find out more about his new role and his areas of expertise.

Steve has a wealth of experience of global clients, I believe I have in managing fiduciary businesses gained a broad perspective and a at major financial institutions and significant appreciation of client he expects to bring this expertise to his new role. He has managed a great deal of change and acquired and restructured businesses, often involving cultural change.

“Working across multiple jurisdictions with a broad range

needs. I hope that I can use that tinually adapting to the changing knowledge and experience to help landscape for our services, achieve the Fiduciary Group, who are con- that sustainable growth I’ve mentioned,” he explains.

The Fiduciary Group, and Isolas, its associated law firm, have long established reputations for excellence in their fields, while maintaining “a family atmosphere and a great place to work,” Steve

Steve has taken on large and experienced teams here and says his days are extremely varied and often unpredictable

16

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

career moves explains. “As soon as I met Peter and Albert Isola and heard about their ethos of building sustainable business and their commitment to the community, I didn’t hesitate.”

But it wasn’t just the firm that attracted Steve to make the move: “Gibraltar was attractive to me for professional and personal reasons.

In a professional sense, I was impressed by Gibraltar’s progressive development and positioning as a finance centre. From a personal perspective, proximity to the UK and access to my family was an important factor, after spending 20 years on the other side of the Atlantic in the Caribbean and Bermuda.”

The main difference in his role here in Gibraltar is he is now working for an independent company, rather than a major financial institution “but in truth the business line is very similar.”

Steve has taken on large and experienced teams here and says his days are extremely varied and often unpredictable. “I am lucky to have such experienced teams to rely on and my role is often just to provide guidance or to authorise a particular course of action. I operate an open door style of management so that I have to be flexible in managing my day.

“My role is to provide continued leadership to the Group, develop strategic direction, and to set and monitor targets.” He deals with prospective client enquiries and any client service issues requiring his attention.

“I find myself in many meetings, be it with clients, intermediaries, or business partners,” he adds.

“It’s early days and I’m still reviewing our existing client base and our policies and procedures, so I’m also currently involved in a lot of internal meetings. Staff training, Human Resources, Risk & Compliance, Banking Services, Accounting and Support Services all come under my remit so I’m kept pretty busy!”

Steve has also started to travel,

“

I’m impressed by the depth of the financial services industry and the regulatory regime, as well as the infrastructure

including visiting the group’s offices in London and Zurich and their clients as well as jointly hosting a table at the recent Gibraltar Day in London.

“I’m impressed by the depth of the financial services industry and the regulatory regime, as well as the infrastructure,” he describes his thoughts on Gibraltar from professional perspective. “From a personal perspective, I love the fact I can walk to work in 10 minutes and I have Morrison’s on my doorstep! There seems to be a good range of activities and I’m already looking forward to enjoying the beaches next year although I am told they can get very busy!”

Having lived on islands for so many years, he finds the border issues “interesting” but says that is countered by the access to a wider and more experienced workforce.

“Although Gibraltar is attached to mainland Europe, it has the feel of an offshore island financial centre,” he states. “That aside, I’m always asked which country I like best, which I think is a little unfair.

I’ve enjoyed my time wherever I’ve lived and worked. The important thing is to embrace different cultures and integrate into the community to appreciate where you are living and the people you interact with. Every community has its own advantages and idiosyncrasies.”

He says the very fact that Gibraltar’s is a growing market in these harsh economic times is a good starting point! “I’m excited by the prospect of being part of that growth. The potential for Gibraltar

”

is very significant provided we continue to invest in infrastructure, update our trust legislation and maintain close cooperation between the private sector and government to take the steps necessary to continuously position Gibraltar as the place to do business.” Adding “I think some other financial centres have lost that important connection in the focus on International Compliance.”

When asked to describe his typical client he says “There is no such thing as a typical client in my experience! In the Fiduciary Group, we pride ourselves on providing bespoke solutions to match client needs. Years ago, a typical client might be an individual who wanted to incorporate a company to hold a property in, say, Spain or Portugal.

However, there are many reasons why a person may wish to incorpo-

rate a Gibraltar company, or indeed a company in any number of other jurisdictions.”

He describes the key features as confidentiality and privacy together with ease and efficiency of transfer, the pooling of a group of entrepreneurs’ resources and the routing of international trade and investments to one parent holding company. “Increasingly, more sophisticated solutions are required, including Trusts, Foundations and Family Office structures. We also provide Yacht Registration Services allowing the use of the valued Red Ensign. Clients may utilise our Wealth Management Services or may already have an asset manager of their own.

“We have found that some clients want to establish a mutual fund as part of their wealth structuring and we are able to assist them with the initial structuring of the fund and with the day to day administration through our Fund Administration arm.”

He concludes by saying “I could go on at greater length but, in short, it is essential to determine a client’s needs and customise a solution for them rather than try and fit them into a box.”

We wish Steve well in his new role. n

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

17

business & finance

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Are you happy at work

Employee happiness is sometimes not considered a serious topic, but at a time when a lot of businesses are struggling, the stress of an unhappy work environment can compound the problem and affect further performance of the company. Earning more money in your job is always a fantastic motivator, but studies show that it will not necessarily make you a happier employee.

Research shows that employees who report being happiest at work: • Stay twice as long in their jobs as their colleagues who claim to be most unhappy • Spend double their time at work focused on what they are paid to do • Take ten times less sick leave • Believe they are achieving their potential twice as much as less happy colleagues

Contribution Contribution is simply the makeup of tasks completed throughout the workday and can be a great indicator of how happy you are. If you are making a large contribution throughout your workday then chances are you have a stronger feeling of value to the success of the company.

Contribution is best achieved to the highest level when it is approached through a system where goals have been decided, chalThere are several driving factors lenges are assessed and successthat play a key role in employee fully surpassed in order to achieve happiness. the goal.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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business & finance times like these where you need to be extremely aware of conviction and carry through. It pays off in the end.

Culture The overall culture of a company plays a very important role in the happiness of an employee. Unfortunately it is also the one driver you may have very little control over.

This is something that needs to be assessed at the time of hiring by both yourself and the hiring manager because it can make a huge impact on your job performance.

Be sure to take company fit into consideration when moving to any new job in order to avoid an uncomfortable work situation. If you are unhappy in your current situation and you genuinely feel that you do not fit into the culture of the company then you may need to look at new career options and possibly speak to an employment professional.

Commitment Commitment is an excellent indication of how much you feel that you are doing something worthwhile. Those with strong commitment feel that their work matters and drives them to move forward. If you don’t have a strong commitment to the tasks that you complete on a daily basis then your work could very possibly be faltering which will in turn affect your conviction as well as contribution.

by Sarah Espigares, Community Manager at SRG Europe

Making an effective contribution to the work place doesn’t just affect your state of happiness, but also reflects upon your colleagues.

While it is great to know that your contribution is making a difference, you can’t do everything on your own. You need to encourage your colleagues to contribute effectively as well. This will help in creating a happier work environment for all, not just for you.

Conviction Conviction can be defined as short term motivation that keeps you driven through both the good times, but more so the bad times.

Like everything else, your work life can have its ups and downs.

Conviction is a combination of resilience, efficiency and effectiveness in your daily workload. A conscious decision to maintain conviction is required. It can be so easy to look negatively towards work when in the middle of a hard task, working on something new and unfamiliar or when you’re not getting along with another colleague. It is at

Confidence Having the confidence to do your job well is the key to all round success. If you are not confident in your abilities then you will falter in attaining success with the other four drivers. There is a fine balance surrounding the confidence you display in the workplace. If you lack confidence then you run the risk of not achieving your set tasks. Too much confidence can be viewed as arrogance and could possibly block your decision making abilities, which in turn can affect the achievement of completing your workload. This may be viewed negatively within your team.

These five drivers work as a collective in achieving happiness in the work place and can produce high levels of pride, trust and ideally recognition for your hard work. While recognition from your peers and managers is always nice to have, you are the best judge of your work and how happy you are doing it.

Awareness is always the first step to making a change. If you are aware of your satisfaction in your job, you can then utilise these drivers to ensure maximum success in building your career. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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business focus

Quad Moves Quad Consultancy — the recruitment professionals — have settled into their new offices on the 1st Floor, Royal Ocean Plaza, Ocean Village. the team are thrilled with the convenient new offices and welcome enquiries from companies with vacancies or candidates. Pop in to see them at Ocean Village or contact Tel: 200 44987 Email: career@quadconsultancy.com or visit the website: www.quadconsultancy.com n

New Book by Feetham — Visiting Professor & Partner at Hassans Visiting Professor, and partner at Hassans International Law Firm, Nigel Feetham, will be releasing a new book A Guide to Insurance: Combining Governance, Compliance and Regulation in December (Spiramus Press).

It is his third book. A common theme in

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these books has been the study of the evolution of a specific area of business law as well as the concept of jurisdictional competition.

The latest book contains a chapter contributed by Robin Amos. Mr Amos is an experienced insurance management practitioner with Aon

and originally trained as an economist.

Nigel Feetham said, “What I have attempted to do in this book is to bring together my knowledge of insurance law, regulation and management that covers the way captives as well as open market insurers are regulated, how they operate and what the potential issues are and also tried to put the subject broadly into a comparative framework in the hope that it will stimulate a more complete research than the one I have written.

“The catalyst for this book was a seminar I delivered with Robin Amos over two days to the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority in May 2011. I am delighted with Robin’s contribution to the book.

“Writing books whilst practising law fulltime is not easy but my clients and family are very supportive. These books are as much about sharing knowledge and expertise as they are about the articulation of the author’s views.”

Robin Amos said, “I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Professor Feetham on this new book project. He is recognised as a leading lawyer in the international insurance scene. I believe this book will be of interest to practitioners within the insurance and captive industry worldwide, particularly those subject to European Union jurisdiction.

“In my chapter contribution to the book the main theme is compliance with a core part of the EU Solvency II Directive and it is hoped this will also promote debate among those currently wrestling with this issue.” n GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Problem solving is our business: we put the pieces together Our clients turn to us to provide them with an informed perspective on complex business challenges. KPMG’s member firms combine a multi-disciplinary approach with practical industry knowledge to help clients meet challenges and respond to opportunities.

KPMG in Gibraltar provides audit, tax and advisory services, along with sector insight and expertise, to help local and international organisations negotiate risk and perform in the dynamic and challenging environments in which they do business.

KPMG - committed to excellence kpmg.gi

business news

Ibex at Lloyd’s Awards Ibex Insurance Services Ltd enjoyed great success at the Lloyd’s Iberia Awards dinner held for Lloyd’s coverholders in Madrid last month at the Westin Palace Hotel.

The event was arranged

by Lloyd’s to recognise the achievements of coverholders who provide access to the Lloyd’s market in the Iberian peninsula.

Prizes were awarded in three categories; best website, most efficient business model and best product.

Ibex was victorious in two of the three categories, winning outright in the category of ‘Most Efficient Business Model’ and joint winner of the ‘Best Website’ award for www.ibexinsure.com.

150 attendees from 27 coverholders were present at the ceremony and the jury was made up of representatives of the most important insurance associations in the Spanish market.

Juan Arsuaga, Head of Lloyd’s

Ibex Insurance pays out over 50 million euro in Claims In its 10th year of trading, Ibex Insurance has settled over 50 million euro of claims on behalf of various syndicates at Lloyd’s of London.

extremely proud of what we have achieved in 10 years of trading,” says David Whitmore, Director, Ibex Insurance.

Ibex Insurance has now increased their presence within the local Gibraltar market, with their smart new office at 68 Irish Town, as well as 14 offices in Spain and Portugal, a direct sales team who process all internet and direct phone calls and a 40 strong team based in the Gibraltar head office. Ibex Insurance continues to expand offering a wide range of insurance products such as motor, home and holiday apartment, health, marine, pet, business, and travel. n

It is a side to insurance that is not often For more information about Ibex Insurance contact thought about until the need arises. The majority 200 44628 or visit website www.ibexinsure.com of those taking out insurance are keenly concerned with the cost of the premium and tend to forget about the real reason for taking out insurance, which is of course to cover ourselves in case we should be involved in an accident, suffer a break-in to our home, or need to make a claim after a trip abroad has gone wrong.

Ibex Insurance began operations 10 years ago in Gibraltar offering motor insurance to the expatriate community in Spain, predominantly drivers of UK plated cars. Over the years Ibex Insurance has handled more than 44,000 claims and in return has settled more than 50 million euro in claims to clients.

With an English speaking claims team, and all policies and paperwork available in English, Ibex Insurance has become the leading provider of insurance to the expat market within the Iberian Peninsula.

“The syndicates have placed a great deal of trust in Ibex and I consider this to be a great endorsement to the knowledge, professionalism and experience of our claims team. I am

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Iberia, presented the awards to Ibex Managing Director, Richard Hill who said that he was delighted to accept the prizes which recognised the great efforts of all Ibex staff over the past year.

“The cornerstone of the Ibex business model is our Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system which enables us to provide instant cover and documentation to clients via our network of over 200 agents, Ibex Direct operation and 15 retail offices. Therefore, I was delighted that Lee Stuart, the General Manager of Cover. net, our EDI software provider was able to attend and share our celebrations.’’

These prestigious awards are now on display at the Ibex Insurance office in Irish Town. n

What a Diamond

It is time to get out the bunting, and wave your Union Jacks, as our Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

To mark 60 years of HM the Queen’s reign, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will centre around an extended weekend in June in 2012 — we will all enjoy an extra bank holiday on Tuesday 5th June 2012.

By moving the Spring Bank Holiday (the last Monday in May) to 4th June, this will result in a four day holiday in honour of the Diamond Jubilee, coinciding with the HM the Queen’s Official Birthday, also on 4th June. So you’ve got even more time to celebrate this momentous occasion! n GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

business file art profile

Gibraltar in Russia Alex Sergeev, founder and project manager of www. gibraltar.su recognised last year that Russia did not have a website to inform Russianspeaking users about Gibraltar and the opportunities it has to offer. To improve this, Alex and his team developed a website called Gibraltar.su.

Its main objective is to promote Gibraltar in Russia and other Russian-speaking countries in their native language. The site officially opened on 10th September 2011, and is currently the only professional website designed on the Russian web dedicated exclusively to Gibraltar. Due to aggressive promotion, the site is ranked top on Russian search engines.

One of the main purposes of the project is to promote Gibraltarian businesses in Russian-speaking countries. Investment companies, providers of financial services,

Alex Sergeev founder of Gibraltar.su

real estate firms, tour operators and wedding planners now have the opportunity to join the project and offer their services to Russian clients.

The latest statistics shows that in the first half of this year the Costa del Sol experienced a 63% plus increase in Russian tourists. Another figure shows that Russian investors showed interest in purchasing luxury properties on Costa del Sol — people who have high purchasing power and money to invest.

Located in the same region, Gibraltar also has a lot to offer to the Russian investors and

the goal is to show those advantages and attract them to the Rock. There are a number of Russian companies and private investors already utilising Gibraltar but the number of companies could be much higher.

The site will publish interviews with Gibraltarians, and encourage local artists, writers, and musicians to make contact so they can be presented to the Russian-speaking audience.

The site is regularly updated with recent news and events and any other interesting or useful information for visitors. Email info@ gibraltar.su for more information. n

Sovereign Tweetup

Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) Ltd recently hosted the latest Gibraltar social media Tweetup (organised by @workitgib) at the Royal Calpe on Main Street. Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) Ltd’s Managing Director Ian Le Breton took the opportunity to talk to Gibraltar’s Tweeps (Twitter users) about his experiences using Twitter as a business tool and Tweeps enjoyed a chance to meet face to face in a social environment. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECember 2011

23

Like a mountaineer, daring to climb an unscaled peak. Kokichi Mikimoto combined an exceptionally strong will with an indefatigable imagination, enabling him to realise his cherished dream of culturing perfect pearls.

MIKIMOTO has become an icon associated with pearls of all types, but the name only became known after Mr Kokichi Mikimoto cultured the first pearl in 1893.

Historically natural pearls had been important for many centuries, being the prized possessions of Indian and Eastern Royalty; fishermen would supplement their income by diving for oysters in the hope of finding a natural pearl inside, but this practice would eventually lead to the decimation of the natural pearl oyster beds and by definition there was no re-generation.

Mr Kokichi Mikimoto was descended from a family of noodle shop owners; he entered the marine products industry and became aware of the famous local product: Ise Pearls, which was the name of the indigenous variety of natural pearl from the akoya oyster. He recognised that the supply was exhaustible and chose to dedicate his life to finding a sustainable way of farming pearls.

Working alongside other marine experts he developed a culturing process using the akoya oyster that resulted in his first success in 1893, however, not withstanding this pioneering achievement, it was his undoubted genius at marketing the results world wide which established MIKIMOTO as the only name associated with pearls.

In 1910 Mikimoto exhibited a model of his pearl farm and items of jewellery made with cultured pearls at the Anglo-Japanese Fair in London. This was the first of many international exhibitions and fairs he used to promote his

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2011

invention and each time he unveiled a more elaborate show stopping centrepiece; a model of George Washington’s birthplace at the 1933 Century of Progress Fair in Chicago, a model of the LibertyBell, including the crack modelled out of blue tinged pearls, at the 1939 New York World Fair.

As his fame grew he began to receive objections from jewellers who regarded his invention as a threat to their trade in natural pearls, lawsuits were filed making accusations of fakery, but Mikimoto successfully challenged these and he had the satisfaction of having his process being scientifically declared ‘natural’; it was deemed that cultured pearls were grown naturally, not artificially.

Mikimoto realised that in order to present collections that would appeal to his new hard won

international audience he

needed to send his learn the art of manufacture They took back to

Literally cutting edge; NeoVintage was a real challenge to Mikimoto’s craftsmen, the skill required to cut the pearl to take a

craftsmen to Europe to

diamond and its setting is breathtaking. A laser is used to guarantee

western jewellery

a smooth edge, but is extremely risky; a very steady hand is required.

and design. these new skills Japan

Lastly, from the master craftsmen of the Mikimoto workshops, an astonishing example in the art of goldsmithing. The Aurora Collection is a combination of keshi pearl; ironically a totally natural bi-product of the culturing process, and diamond set in patterns that compliment the unique and baroque shape of the keshi pearls, the graduation in colour from gold to white is a study in the craft of the pearl sorter. A one of a kind set from a one of a kind jeweller.

Exclusively available at

60 Main Street

and developed a unique method that combined the dual skills of the East and West. In fact it is said that some of these European practices, handed down from mastercraftsmen to apprentice have been all but lost in the West.

Today the company that bears his name, still family run, has become a leader in the worldwide luxury industry; not only producing staggering pieces of pearl artistry, but also equally unique items of diamond and coloured gem set jewellery and, in Japan only, a delicate collection of gift items and cosmetic products using the pearl as their theme.

This year’s collections include: Dancing Leaves, a delicate infusion of yellow, white, red and green gold leaves decorated with pave diamonds that sway and dance as the wearer moves.

Continuing Mikimoto’s renown for jewellery that adapts to the wearers needs, we have Forget Me Knot; an inspired interpretation of a classical knot of diamonds set with a single akoya pearl and a pink sapphire that compliments the rosé colour of the pearl. The necklace can be worn as it is or for a more casual look the knot can be removed to be shown off on a simple chain of 18ct white gold.

The trend for the long vintage look has been re-interpreted with Tempo, a collection of artfully arranged akoya pearls in a variety of combinations set on long lengths of 18ct white gold chain; graduated multiple pearl sections or abstract size variations make for a very individual piece of jewellery.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2011

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business & finance

The Sound of Mexico with Luis ‘The Gentleman’ Caballero

by Mike Brufal

w ne arbor-

a night night

nd

in

Luis

lso a ro in

Luis Caballero, 71, is an internationally acclaimed master of mariachi singing (a genre of music originating in Jalisco, Mexico), and former boxer who fought for Gibraltar in the European and Commonwealth amateur championships.

Luis’s mother was nine months pregnant with twins when the Governor, Sir Clive Liddell, ordered some 13,000 Gibraltarians (including all women and children) to be evacuated at the start of World War 2. Consequently a handful of Gibraltarian heavily pregnant females were taken to the French hospital in Rabat to await the birth of their children. Luis and his twin sister were born but for some reason, perhaps to protest against this iniquitous decision, his father, serving in the Gibraltar Defence Force, did not register the births which would have made the babies Gibraltarians and British citizens.

After the end of the war and the family’s return to Gibraltar in 1945 Luis’ father went to collect the twins’ birth certificates to be told documetation didn’t exist, either for the births in Rabat (the hospital had been hit by a bomb and all records destroyed) or later registration

26

in Gibraltar. He was told to be patient and eventually was informed Luis would be registered as a British subject born in Rabat.

When the war ended Luis was a toddler so has few memories of it other than living in Kensington Palace mansion. When the bomb-

Luis started to sing and all the doors of the surrounding buildings opened and out came the neighbours to listen to this sensational voice

ing raids intensified, a contingent of Gibraltarians, which included Luis and his family, were sent to Chorley, Yorkshire. Tragedy struck during the stay when Luis’s twin sister became ill, died and was buried in the local cemetery.

Before returning to the Rock Luis attended

Leslie Crowther and Luis Caballero in Jersey summer season 1980 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

music file nursery school and remembers singing the songs of the time such as Roll Out the Barrel, The White Cliffs of Dover, We’ll Meet Again and Rum and Coca Cola — his first memory of singing in public as his fellow evacuees encouraged him for their entertainment.

On returning to Gibraltar the family lived at 15 Willis’ Road until the completion of the Glacis housing estate where he attended St Anne’s School and remembers his teachers affectionately — Miss Rugeroni and Miss Anita Bossino, the Headmistress. Years later, as a postman, he delivered letters to Miss Ruggeroni’s flat on Main Street, on top of Liptons (now Princess Silks) — although he handed mail to her sister he never saw Miss Rugeroni again. Luis used to play in the area of the Laguna and the nearby — but strictly out of bounds — leper hospital (La Zareto).

He stayed at St Anne’s until he moved to Plata Villa School in Withams Road and, following its closure, to Lourdes School in Castle Road where his form teacher was Brother Macnamara. Teachers who made an impression were Brother Fearon, Mr Gonsalez, Mr Mascari, Mr Requena, his cousin Joe Caballero and a young Richard Patterson who went on to become one of the Rock’s most successful swimmers. Luis was always a prominent member of the school choir.

Economic necessity meant leaving school at 14 and his first job was as messenger for Gieves the tailor in Main Street with the weekly wage of seven shillings and six pence (37.5p).

It was at this time his voice came to the notice of those outside his immediate circle. In those days a popular entertainment was holding verbenas in the various estates. A neighbour in Glacis was an electrician who supplied the somewhat primitive sound system for the verbena. When the equipment was set up he needed a singing voice to try it out and so a crowd of would be flamenco singers appeared as if by magic. A neighbour, seeing Luis in the crowd, demanded the youngster sing his version of the Mario Lanza hit Granada. Luis started to sing and all the doors of the surrounding buildings opened and out came the neighbours to listen to this sensational voice. He received an invitation to sing in future verbenas in the growing number of estates.

Father Rapallo was in charge of the choir of the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, and he invited Luis to join. Charles Capurro was the

Los Rancheros,Tony Vinhas, Rosemarie Alliende, Luis Caballero GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Los Zafiros with Tom O’Connor and Dianne Margaret — the summer season in Scarborough 1981

soloist, and Charles Montegriffo (who later became a senior executive at Barclays Bank) was a prominent member.

It was hard to live on his meagre salary so Luis moved to Roberts Pharmacy as messenger where the pay increased to 10/- a week (50p).

A financial breakthrough came when he joined the Bristol Hotel as a ‘buttons’ (page boy) for the princely sum of one pound 10 shillings a week, plus tips. He soon grew too tall to be a buttons and was sacked, but was offered another job as a shop assistant at BIA iron mongers where he was a happy worker despite long hours.

His uncle, James Vinales, was able to secure him a job on the City Council Electrical Department as a wireman boy electrician and he seized the opportunity, bought the text books, burned the midnight oil and became an experienced electrician.

During this time he sang whenever the opportunity arose and was famous for singing at

He sang whenever the opportunity arose and was famous for singing at the top of the ladder while carrying out electrical repairs

the top of the ladder while carrying out electrical repairs. He has fond memories of putting up lights on Main Street for Christmas and at the Gibraltar fair.

In 1965 Luis married Eulogia and they have a daughter, Maria Dolores, and a son, Jason.

He left the Electricity Department a year later to become a postman during the day and a private electrician after work.

His younger sister, Flori, and brother-in-law, Eduardo Cornelio joined him to form Los Huapangeros a trio singing Mexican songs. At that time there was considerable competition on the Rock from groups such as Los Travadores, Los Romanceros, Los Revoltosas, the Modernaires, the Terriers and the Diamond Boys. There were too many musicians to survive as semi-professionals and so in 1968 the trio decided to seek their fortune in the UK. During this time Luis turned his hand to amateur boxing. Frank Albert Dawes, with the help of the Commissioner of Police J.A. Abrahams, started the Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Club at the former Leper hospital off the laguna, which was converted into a gymnasium. The Hon Secretary was Edward Garcia and Dickie Dyer the coach and trainer helped

by Tito Ignacio. These were the days of John ‘White Bomber’ Ochello, Julio Abudarham, Manolo Baldachino, Francisco Porter, Sergio Guerrero and Jimmy Bossino. Luis had 20 bouts and went on to represent Gibraltar at the European Amateur championships held in Switzerland in 1958 and then Yugoslavia 1959 and at the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica

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music file 1966.

In 1959 he fought against the Cambridge University team. EB in the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote; ‘...in the welter weight fight Peter Goring found Caballero a tough customer who could counterpunch hard. In the initial stages, Goring surprised Caballero with successive rights and lefts to the face, but a right cross by Caballero in the third round shook Goring. In the end both boxers were indeed tired and the verdict went to Caballero.’

Two years later when the Cambridge Bath Soaks came to fight on the Rock he fought and out pointed Laurie Mitchell.

In 1968 Frank Dawes, now Gaming Manager of the Playboy Club in Park Lane, secured him a residency at the Playboy Club; by coincidence Los Cinco Ricardos were playing up the road at the Grosvenor House hotel.

Los Huapangeros acquired an agent, and after the stint at the Playboy Club played at the recently opened Batley Variety Club in Yorkshire. Top of the bill was Frankie Vaughan who had made a film on the Rock with Anna Neagle called The Lady is a Square. Frankie had many happy memories of his time in Gibraltar. Then followed a series of engagements on the club circuit supporting stars such as Chan Canasta. After three months his sister Flori became pregnant and so the trio broke up as Flori and Eduardo wanted to return to the Rock.

Luis went solo, singing in mainly Spanish and Latin American clubs in London by night and working as an electrician by day. At one stage he was an electrical charge hand at St Mary’s hospital, Paddington where he saw many Gibraltarian patients. Michael Mifsud contracted him to sing at Gibraltar Group dances in locations such as the Hammersmith Town Hall and he also sang in Pepe Pincho’s tapas bar La Roca.

Another trio was formed this time with sessions in La Costa Brava Club in Charing Cross Road and La Cucaracha on nearby Greek Street. Work expanded to singing in locations outside London where there were Spanish speakers. Incredibly there are penas from Galicia, Asturias, Valencia and the pena Andalucia de Londres to be found throughout London.

Luis, by incredible coincidence, lived in Verdi House on the Mozart estate, North Kensington and when Margaret Thatcher in 1980 encouraged tenants of council houses to buy their homes he did so. Since then he’s sold the property and moved to a semi-detached house in Eltham, South East London.

In 1977 Luis was invited to join the trio Los Zafiros, originally from Galicia and he stayed with them for a decade travelling round the world playing in Israel, Kenya, Zambia, Oman, France and Holland to name but a few. The trio also supported stars such as Sasha Distel, Tommy Cooper and Cilla Black.

Musicians have to adapt with the times (discos caused clubs with live music to close down) so Los Zafiros moved to the cruise industry and worked the circuit starting with the Caribbean and on one cruise supported Rita Moreno.

During a gap in the cruise schedule Luis visited Mexico for the first time and was able to sing supported by mariachi musicians

Their agent was Joe Collins, father of Joan and Jacqui, and living in the flat underneath the office was Cliff Richard. During a gap in the cruise schedule Luis visited Mexico for the first time and was able to sing supported by mariachi musicians and found himself in seventh heaven. Louis left Los Zafiros in 1979.

His debut disc Los Canciones de un Mariachi was recorded in 1984 and sold well. After time as a solo artist he was invited to sing at a reception in London to mark the National Day of Paraguay and as a result met two like-minded musicians and formed another trio, Los Rancheros. This lasted for a decade until the female member decided to move to Plymouth.

Luis retired from singing professionally in 2000 and, at the same time closed, his freelance electrician business. He still sings and when asked by former clients he will do his best to oblige.

Luis has only missed two National Days and this was the first year he has not been invited to sing. One of the highlights of his visits has been to sing at Mount Alvernia. The 2009 National Day was missed because his wife was ill and last year because he took her on a cruise to convalesce. However he will be back next year and hopes this time to be invited to sing his Mexican love songs.

A couple of years ago he recorded Mi Virgin de Europa and paid for 1000 copies which he gave to Bishop Charles Caruana to sell to raise money for Catholic charities.

Luis, commenting as a septuagenarian, said “Gibraltar’s young musicians are getting better and better and the more popular acts have a large enthusiastic following. The Ministry of Culture is taking much more interest in young musicians and goes out of its way to help them.

I am most impressed with all the talent that can be heard on the local music scene.” n

Singing with the Mariachis in a Mexican night club

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

music file

Piano Music Megamixes for Christmas

G

ibraltarian concert pianist and comp poser Aaron Monteverde has released

great new downloadable albums on iTunes. Christmas Spanish Megamix Hits and Christmas Megamix Hits single by Aaron

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Monteverde and the Gibraltar Choir, as well as the single Hallelujah, and Disney Themes Flamenco Style, by Aaron Monteverde. All albums can be easily downloaded, and this is a first for the artist who is eagerly awaiting the

international release of an album, featuring world famous Gypsy Legends. n For further information of the new iTunes album releases, join or subscribe to the Aaron Monteverde page on Facebook.

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recruitment

Patricia Darch Interior Design & Projects

Ocean Village Showroom Opens

Personalised customer service with top-quality products is the maxim that has governed the company Patricia Darch Interior Design & Projects for 25 years. Now, the prestigious interior design company opens a new showroom in Ocean Village.

Specialising in the design and decoration of villas, apartments and full renovation projects from Marbella to Gibraltar, their name is synonymous with a distinctive style and elegance, drawing on many years experience in interior decoration.

Operating with a truly international team including interior designers, artists and audio visual/lighting technicians using the latest technology and working together with local craftsmen and architects to provide a complete bespoke design service.

The new showroom in Ocean Village Prom-

enade shows off an extensive range of famous marques including Fendi Casa, B&B Italia, Malerba, Dedon, Ipe Cavalli, Blumarine bedding and linens, Missoni Home and Villeroy & Boch tableware. There are also many beautiful fabric collections such as Romo, Casamance, Lizzo, Hermes and the newly launched collection of Armani Casa fabrics.

A new addition to the range of services provided in the new showroom is a quality gift service to include a full wedding list package including consultation, gift wrapping and delivery. We look forward to meeting prospective brides and grooms to assist them in their choices.

Managing Director Nicolas Darch is delighted to welcome Gill Welland to the team with responsibility for heading up their Gibraltar operation.

Patricia Darch Interiors are also pleased to announce the opening of their new show apartment situated in the exclusive new development The Sails, at Queensway Quay which consists of 42 luxuriously appointed apartments, each possessing spectacular views of the Marina to the South and the Rock of Gibraltar to the East.

Clients are invited to browse at their leisure, take in the design, bespoke artwork and carefully selected pieces of furniture in this beautiful apartment. n To book an appointment please call the showroom on 21677776 or contact Gill Welland on mobile 60677775.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Sotogrande showroom Avda. Mar del Sur, 26 Torreguadiaro 11312, SOTOGRANDE Cadiz Tel: +34 956 615 350 Fax: +34 956 615 088

At Patricia Darch Interior Design & Projects we provide a complete custom design service with attention to client individuality.

Gibraltar showroom tel: +350 216 77776 Gibraltar showroom fax: +350 216 77775 Email: pdigib@patriciadarch.com www.patriciadarch.com

LATEST NEWS: Introducing Gill Welland who will be heading up our Gibraltar operations: Tel +350 60677775 Email: gill@patriciadarch.com Our Wedding List Service includes

New showroom

NOW OPEN

top marques from Villeroy & Boch, Missoni Home, Christofle and top quality bed linen by Blumarine.

in Ocean Village Promenade

OPENING HOURS: Monday - Friday: 10.00 - 18.00 Saturday: 10.00 - 16.00 Any other time by appointment only.

S

property update real estate

TRIES

NTINENTS IES

NENTS

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

T: + 350 200 400 41 F: + 350 200 440 11 sales@chesterton.gi lettings@chesterton.gi commercial@chesterton.gi

T: + 350 200 400 41 F: + 350 200 440 11 sales@chesterton.gi M.B.E., E.D., J.P., F.R.I.C.S., F.R.S.H. lettings@chesterton.gi AUCTIONEER,commercial@chesterton.gi ESTATE AGENT & VALUER

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

S.LEVY

For Property Advice, Contact Us

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

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

property directory construction

commercial interiors Bridge Solutions PO Box 598 Tel: 57185000 Fax: 200 77041 Space Interiors 6 Ellesmere House, City Mill Lane Tel: 200 73992 www.spaceinteriors.gi

transport services

homes & interiors

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

Portman Ltd General Suppliers

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

marine services

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

TARIK

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

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

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

32 32

• 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

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

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 • NOVEMBER 2011 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

property file

Dazzling Delights No matter which part of the home you are decorating, and how you wish to improve the beauty of your rooms, you will find that lighting makes or breaks the entire effort.

Lighting is not only used to light your home, it can also be used to enhance your home and emphasise certain aspects. But lighting is far harder than just putting up bright lights in one of the corners of the room, and can be something which has even the “experts” struggling to create the perfect look.

Ambient lighting is used to illuminate an entire room evenly, usually one light in the center of your ceiling from a light fixture or ceiling fan, or several recessed lights spread evenly over the ceiling, or natural lighting from windows or skylights.

Task lighting is used in a concentrated part of a room where more lighting is needed to perform a task. Examples are a reading lamp, a piano lamp, a billiard table lamp, a bedside table lamp, or an appliance light.

Shelves in the living room or decorative closets are perfect to be ‘pimped’, with simple dim lights that can be switched on only when needed. Apart from adding to the beauty of the room, this also helps eliminate dark corners

formed by uneven lighting. Beautifully lit corners make any room look simply stunning.

Decorative lighting is created when the light fixture is a focal point in the room. Chandeliers, decorative candles, light from a fireplace, and beautiful decorative lamps are examples of decorative lighting. If the room is tall enough, and grand enough to sport a chandelier, then bring one in without hesitation.

If you have a fine art piece or even an expensive collectible that you would like to display proudly, give its own special spot in the room and highlight it appropriately. Of course, take good care of the effects of such lighting on particular pieces of art before you put it under the spotlight, as your exquisite painting could be sensitive to it, and would require a more dimly-lighted atmosphere.

Ensure natural lighting merges well with artificial lighting, as the best form of lighting one can use during the day is natural. Our new airport, for example, is full of natural ‘sky lights’ and we too can include natural light wherever

Beautifully lit corners make any room look simply stunning

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

possible and allow for maximum natural ventilation. Try to merge natural light with any artificial lighting options to create a wonderful and flowing look to the entire room during daytime. Don’t forget to add dimmers to your lights to be able to adjust your lighting and set the perfect mood for your room.

Lighting is a matter of aesthetics at its very best, and it takes plenty of time, effort and the right approach to get it right. So, do not get disheartened if you do not get it right straight away — not every room needs all types of lighting. However, having multiple types of lighting effects in a room adds interest. n

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property file

*The*Festive*Table...

Whether you’re dining with family or a group of friends, a beautiful Christmas table, as festive as the rest of your home, really sets the mood for a wonderful evening.

You’ve set the table with your best plates, cutlery and glasses, and prepared enough varieties of food to please your entire family, but to finish it all off your will need a centrepiece that is not only beautiful, but gives your table that traditional festive touch.

The first thing to remember when decorating a table for Christmas is to make sure you pick a colour theme and stick with it. Of course, the standard colours for Christmas decorations are red, green, white, gold and silver. These are all good choices and will make your table very attractive. However, if you

want to try something unique you can go with blue, a light shade of purple or even use the colour most predominant in the rest of your room or home.

One of the most popular types of simple Christmas centrepieces, is made by using a small wreath and placing it in the centre of the table. It can be ready decorated or you could choose to do this yourself. If you are into a wintery theme, decorate this wreath with snowflakes or wrap it in white garland. If you want a traditional Christmas wreath feel, then use pretty ribbons and bows.

When you are through decorating the wreath, place a large red, or colour to match your theme, candle in the centre of it. If you think the long, thin tapered candles are better, then put several of those in the middle. You can buy them all in the same colour, or mix them up. You can also have them all the same size or have one or two taller candles with shorter ones around them. Be very careful not to place the candles too close to the wreath as the hot wax can start a fire.

Use lots of baubles to decorate the table, and run a string of Christmas lights down the centre, to add a different touch to the table. Pick lights with a white lead, to blend with a white tablecloth.

Have fun with inventive name cards — write your guests’ names in gold or silver pen on a leaf of holly, on a small stone or even an old style luggage tag.

Napkins should also conform to the colour theme of your Christmas centrepiece. Use two differently coloured napkins at each place setting. You can try red and green, silver and gold, red and gold ­ — whichever two colours have been used to decorate the table. Roll the napkins, either to-

gether or separately, then place one napkin on top of the other and tie it with some type of beautiful wired ribbon.

Wired ribbon can make the perfect napkin holder because it can be shaped to fit around either thick or thin napkins. Once you have tied them together, place them in the middle of the plate so your family and guests will be able to take in the whole effect of the table as soon as they enter the room.

Place a small gift at each table setting. Give collectible Christmas ornaments or small sachet bags filled with homemade Christmas candy, nuts or other small trinkets.

In fact, anything your guests can take away to remember the event.

If you have gone with snowmen, angels, bells or wreaths for your table decorations, try using stemware with the same decoration on it. That will complete the effect of the theme of your Christmas centrepiece and will make your table not only inviting, but a joy to sit down at.

It is really all about creating a unique festive atmosphere, which shows off your own distinct personality and gets everyone in that cheery mood. n

If you want to try something unique you can go with blue, a light shade of purple or even use the colour that is most predominant in your home 34

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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property file

Keeping up Appearances While Gibraltar has a temperate climate for humans, it offers an aggressive climate for its buildings.

Prolonged hot summers lead to premature degradation of roofing materials and Gibraltar’s “horizontal high-speed rain” tests the best water-proofing and building components, windows, roofs and walls will fail if not regularly maintained. John McKillop Smith FRICS of Chesterton Property Management explains the best approach to property maintenance.

In the future, it may be possible for buildings to be constructed utilising new methods, materials and components that remain in perpetual pristine condition; without the need for any maintenance, redecoration or repair.

We are however, individuals with the desire to constantly improve our circumstances and move on to bigger and better things.

Buildings are no different to people, requiring regular health-checks and maintenance to prolong their useful lives. Otherwise, properties quickly decay and dilapidate, due to: • Faulty initial design • Defective construction/repair • In-built obsolescence, poor selection of materials, components

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• Weathering by the elements • Inappropriate or irregular/inadequate maintenance • Lack of knowledge and expertise on their owners/property managers • Lack of commitment to providing value for money • Insufficient funds available to any expenditure, which is less-than-desperatelyurgent.

In the past, most of us relied on the government to provide us with housing and we had no responsibility for maintaining the aging property stock

In the past, most of us relied on the government to provide us with housing and we had no responsibility for maintaining the aging property stock. Nowadays, many have bought their own properties, but still expect others to maintain them and are reluctant to set aside finances to fund maintenance and periodic repair. Most of the government’s finances have

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

property file gone into constructing new housing. However, limited private or government money has been devoted to maintenance and it shows in many locations.

Our older properties, and the majority of the upper town, are slowly degrading and deteriorating; including the old government housing estates (Moorish Castle, Laguna and the Glacis Estates) until the only option will be demolition. In the meantime, we all live surrounded by unsightly dilapidation and decay; spoiling large areas of our homeland, that can quickly turn to slums or undesirable areas to live, work or pursue our leisure activities. In addition to the impact on Gibraltar’s corporate image, our common heritage is lost, our historic stock of period architecture; the irreplaceable homes and work places of our ancestors soon gone, impossible to replace.

Modern buildings have their place in our streetscape, as they provide essential accommodation, designed specifically to meet the requirements of new businesses and homes.

However, we must retain good examples of our older properties, whilst they remain in maintainable condition; without examples of the past, we face a bleak future. Does Gibraltar need to mimic Hong Kong or New York? Why not retain a mix of well-maintained properties of all ages? Must we lose our pedigree and national individuality, by devastating our history with the bulldozer?

Demolition and replacement totally ignores the modern concept of sustainability, one of the global challenges of our era is to achieve a sustainable built environment. Almost 50% of the UK construction output consists of repairs and maintenance. The “process” of maintenance needs to be more clearly understood and supported by efficient processes and practices.

Building maintenance, the key to sustaining the built environment, has been regarded as the ‘Cinderella’ of the building industry even though total expenditure on maintenance in the UK was over £70bn in 2006 [5.45% of UK, GDP].

How do we maintain our properties, at optimum cost?

It is in the nature of things that many building components deteriorate and wear out with time and use. Planned maintenance is a major asset-management strategy to ensure buildings and their components function adequately, preserve the value of our buildings, satisfy

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

legal obligations, and achieve best-value in terms of built assets.

Prudent property managers worldwide, now collect an annual financial provision (towards a Reserve Fund) as part of the annual service charge arrangements, based on estimated costs of the anticipated maintenance of the property and/or renewal of the building services installations incorporated therein.

Shrewd commercial/residential purchasers avoid properties (without adequate Reserve Funds) to escape erratic and often costly, unpredicted and unplanned hikes in their service charges.

The best approach is to commission a Planned Maintenance Plan (PMP) where an experienced professional (a Chartered Building Surveyor, for example) can inspect the property, view any property records available and produce a comprehensive plan of the maintenance requirements & typical expenditures envisaged at the property. This ensures an independent appraisal of the property, identifying the nature and estimated costs of maintaining it in substantial repair, for the next 25-years. The PMP often identifies costs and repairs that had not been envisaged by the current manager/owners and future maintenance priorities can then be established, in the full knowledge of the programmed repair/improvement costs.

An annual financial provision can then be calculated, based on this 25-year assessment.

Using the calculated provision, the PMP can be refined to suit the property manager’s required maintenance strategy and any specific planned expenditure envisaged. The same calculated

The PMP often identifies costs and repairs that had not been envisaged by the current manager/ owners and future maintenance priorities can then be established

reserve is then charged every year and the irritating unannounced peaks and troughs of annual service charges can be avoided.

PMPs are fair; if a lift requires major refurbishment every 20 years, then a long-term occupier pays 20 annual contributions of say £66pa towards lift refurbishment into the reserves. Alternately, if they move out after only 10 years, they will have contributed only half of their share of the cost of the working life of the lift. Without a PMP one can occupy a property for 19 years and contribute nothing towards the eventual lift refurbishment/replacement costs. A new occupier moving into the same office/flat then faces a bill of £1,320 for their share of a lift refurbishment in their first year of occupation. This is totally unfair, but often occurs — if appropriate reserve funds are not established and administered. n

John McKillop Smith FRICS

Chesterton Property Management (CPM) specialises in preparing Planned Maintenance Plans (PMPs) and John McKillop Smith FRICS, their Managing Director, has prepared over a hundred PMPs for a wide variety of commercial and residential properties in the last 25-years.

John has recently prepared PMPs for two local office buildings, a retail shopping complex and a block of thirty-one apartments. PMPs form the cornerstone of CPMs approach to long-term property management; they also demonstrate value-formoney and optimise maintenance costs.

John would be happy to arrange a PMP for your property and can be contacted on 200 61394.

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property file

Great Views from Buena Vista Mews Charmaigne and Paul Bray of Bray Properties presenting their Christmas donation to Beryl (centre) representing the Leukemia & Cancer Research charity

Christmas gift for leukemia charity!

To end 2011, Bray Properties recently presented the local Leukemia & Cancer Research charity with a cheque for £1000 to assist with their invaluable work in our community.

Speaking to the Gibraltar Magazine, Charmaigne Bray said “As a family who have lost a close relative to leukemia we know first hand the pain and suffering it can cause, and are pleased to be able to support such a worthy cause that affects so many.

A large part of the donation was raised by the bray family holding a stall outside their offices in Tradewinds on a sunny weekend in November. n

Situated in the tranquil location of Gibraltar’s beautiful south district, Buena Vista Mews offers an exceptional residential address away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre, yet only a short drive from Main Street.

Impressive in all aspects, the superb four bedroom, two bathroom townhouses have been designed and built to the highest standards and include high specification finishing throughout.

Main structure works commenced in early 2011 and, through to completion, have embraced local suppliers and best professional services.

The interiors of the final three remaining

Vergola is now serving Gibraltar The ingenious The unique, aerodynamic interlocking louvres of a Vergola roof can intelligently control sunlight, airflow and ventilation for apartments, houses and businesses like restaurants and bars. Unlike fragile and vulnerable awnings, a Vergola makes outdoor spaces usable all year round. The remote controlled, automatic roof can be opened at different angles, creating variable, adjustable environments — including full sun;

38

partial shade; and ventilation; as well as rain protection.

Vivia Bremer-Goldie and the team are available for free onsite, no obligation, consultations to show how Vergola’s unique opening roof can transform outdoor terraces and balconies. n For more information, readers can email enquiry@vergola.es or visit www.vergola.es. Alternatively, Vergola can be reached on (+34) 952 926 578.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

property file townhouses include impressive designer kitchens by ITEK which include quality Bosch electro-domestics, including built in microwave ovens.

An open plan ground floor opens out to a large private terraced area and further private garden/patio areas beyond. The bathrooms have been finished with white Roca vitrified china sanitary ware and includes a stylish shower unit with enclosed glass door. Luxury full height tiling completes a stylish spacious area.

All windows are full timber frame with modern easy clean facility and external non-paint finish. All glazing is double-glazed offering best temperature and reduced noise flow. The house comes with a complete area installed “invisible” heat/cooling/ventilation system which is independently controlled on each level offering a most comfortable living environment.

Top quality materials have been installed throughout, including oak landings and carpeted bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and a very useful loft for additional storage. All internal doors are solid oak finish.

The three remaining townhouses benefit from a private entrance patio, a spacious covered porch leading onto a small private garden and the master bedroom enjoys a spacious open, south-facing terrace with sea views.

The development also enjoys a communal swimming pool for the enjoyment of the owners and the five townhouses within this private residential development. Each of the townhouses further benefit from two private car parking spaces. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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kb_gib

travel file

Where in the World?

The Gibraltar Magazine has been on its travels again, this time to the Great Wall of China and the United States of America.

Sue stops for a good read on the Great Wall of China

Violet and Tom outside the Gibraltar Grill in Wisconsin

Pictured top left is Sue Lloyd of Lloyds TSB Bank in Gibraltar stopping for a rest from the amazing views on her trek along the Great Wall of China in October.

Sue, who featured on our pages earlier in 2011 for her sporting achievements since arriving in Gibraltar, was lucky enough to win the trip to the Great Wall in a competition. Now that’s what we call winning ways! Well done Sue and thanks very much for taking the time to send in the photo.

The picture on the bottom left was taken at the Gibraltar Grill in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, USA. Fish Creek is in Gibraltar Township hence the name of the Grill, and owner Tom Young proudly flies the Gibraltar flag whenever the gill is open.

After reading an article in The Gibraltar Magazine about Gibraltar’s US namesake, Gibraltarian Violet Buchanan (formerly Schembri), who lives with her husband Richie in Indiana, got in touch with Tom to tell him all about Gibraltar and send him some photographs.

Violet (who was one of Gibraltar’s first Woman Police Constables) and Richie live over eight hours’ drive from the Gibraltar Grill, however, in October, they finally made it up to Fish Creek to see the Gibraltar flag flying and to give Tom the latest edition of The Gibraltar Magazine. n

General Election Last month the Chief Minister (Peter Caruana of the GSD party) advised the Governor to dissolve Parliament and has called a General Election for Thursday 8th December 2011.

Gibraltar elects on national level a legislature. The Gibraltar Parliament has 17 members, all elected for a four year term in one constituency with each voter getting to vote for their selection of eight candidates.

The political parties who have put forward candidates for the Gibraltar Parliament are the Gibraltar Social Democrats; Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party / Gibraltar Liberal Party; and the Progressive Democratic Party. n

40

Chef Goes Mo-Bro

Scott Casey, like many other brave individuals has taken up the cause for men’s heath with the Movember campaign. For the month he will ‘Grow his Mo’, he will also be donating to the charity and urges that any further donations be made to www.movember.com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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history file

Mary Seacole:

A Brief Gibraltar Encounter

by Reg Reynolds

If Florence Nightingale was the Lady with the Lamp then Mary Seacole was the Lady with the Liquor.

Both of these great ladies are highly praised for their nursing accomplishments during the Crimean War (1853-1856) but they were very different personalities, which partly explains why Florence Nightingale achieved lasting fame while the name Mary Seacole languished in obscurity.

In these politically correct times many people believe that the reason Nightingale was glorified through the years, while Seacole was ignored, was because the former was white and the latter black. But another factor was that Nightingale was a highly respected and teetotal puritan while Seacole was a fun-loving, free spirit who liked a tipple and was suspected of being a woman of loose morals.

A chance meeting with a couple of soldiers at Gibraltar illustrates what a charmer Seacole was and how attractive she must have been to the soldiers in her care.

Before volunteering her services to Britain, Seacole had run boarding houses in various parts of the Caribbean, including Kingston, Jamaica. In 1855, aged 50, she travelled to the Crimea on board a steamship named the Hollander and it made a brief stop at Gibraltar.

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In her autobiography The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands, published in 1857, Mary wrote: “We spent a short time at Gibraltar and you may imagine that I was soon on shore making the best use of the few hours reprieve granted to the Hollander’s engines. I had an idea that I should do better alone, so I declined all offers of companionship, and selecting a brisk young fellow from the mob of ‘cicerones’ (guides) who offered their services, saw more of the art of fortifications in an hour or so than I could

Nightingale was a highly respected and teetotal puritan while Seacole was a funloving, free spirit who liked a tipple

understand in as many years. The pleasure was rather fatiguing, and I was not sorry to return to the market place, where I stood curiously watching its strange and motley population.”

It was while relaxing at the market place that Mary heard her named shouted out.

“Why, bless my soul, old fellow, if this is not our good old Mother Seacole!”

It took a few seconds for Mary to recognise the two men whom she described as being “set in a broad frame of a Crimean beard”. It turned out that they were two officers from the 48th who had been many times to her house in Kingston.

They had been wounded at Crimea and were being invalided home.

The trio took themselves to a tavern and renewed acquaintances over Spanish wine.

The officers were surprised that Mary was heading for the war zone and tried to warn her off by describing the terrible conditions. They told her she couldn’t even expect a roof over her head.

“And you are going to the front, old lady you, of all people in the world.”

“Why not, my sons? Won’t they be glad to have me there?”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

history file “By Jove! Yes. Mother,” answered one, an Irishman. “It isn’t many women — God bless them!-we’ve had to spoil us out there.”

“Do you think I shall be of any use when I get there?”

“Surely!”

“Then I will go, were the place a hundred times worse than you describe it. Can’t I rig up a hut with the packing cases, and sleep, if need be, on the straw, like Margery Daw? Mary wrote in her book that the men laughed and then drank to her success.

And successful Mary was. Not only did she get a roof over her head, she made her way to Balaclava where she set up, with her own money, the ‘British Hotel’ which provided accommodation, comfort and food for injured, sick and recovering officers. The hotel was near the front lines and, for a price, offered short periods of respite to officers who would soon return to the fighting. Mary served alcohol at the hotel and this was considered scandalous by the prim Nightingale and other abstemious members of Victorian high society. There were also rumours that Mary was running a brothel.

But Mary did far more than run the hotel. A self-taught nurse, she had gained experience with tropical diseases while treating victims of cholera and yellow-fever *[see note] in the Caribbean. In Crimea she was also an active battlefield nurse where she dressed wounds, administered medicines and gave medical advice.

Her services did not go without recognition. In 1856, a letter to the Times sparked the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

organisation of a military festival, backed by war-time commanders Lord Rokeby and Lord Paget, in her honour. The event ran over four days and more than 1,000 performers took part.

During the proceedings Mary was awarded the Crimean Medal, French Legion of Honour and the Turkish Medal. In her declining years she liked to dress up in her favourite colours of red and yellow, proudly displaying her medals.

Thanks to her wide spread popularity at the time, Mary made a small fortune from her autobiography and this meant she was able to continue travelling, primarily between England and Jamaica. When she died on 14th May, 1881 she left an estate of 2,500 pounds. She is buried at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Harrow Road, London.

Mary Seacole was born Mary Jane Grant in

1805 to a freeborn black mother and a white Scottish soldier. Growing up she considered herself to be ‘Creole’ and British. In 1836 she married Edwin Seacole but he died in 1844 Mary’s book was republished in 1984 and her contribution to nursing and humanity has once again been recognised. In 2004 she was voted ‘Greatest Black Briton’.

As the snippet of her experience in Gibraltar shows, she would have been an easy woman for a soldier to like. n

Mary made a small fortune from her autobiography and this meant she was able to continue travelling, primarily between England and Jamaica

43

From left to right: Daphne, Davina, Nicola, Kerry & Amanda

activities

Succubus

...on music, artistry & infamy

In more recent years, music has developed into a theatrical experience encompassing sound, visual design and other forms. Notable examples include the recent surge in “Junk bands” that create music using recycled materials such as dustbins as drums or saw blades played with a violin bow.

Pink Floyd’s The Wall showed the surreal nature of the group through video, Alice Cooper exploits his popular image and perceptions by staging his own suicides, then there are acts like Twisted Sister and Marilyn Manson who are themselves part of the art by styling a persona around the performance, usually with elaborate costumes and make-up.

Formed in 1998; well before alternative and Goth styles had been accepted as part of our culture, the members of local band Succubus; who were teenagers at the time, fell into each other’s company from a love of music and a desire to start a band.

The girls noticed they were different from your average teenage girls, identifying with groups such as the Misfits instead of the then popular Spice Girls. The group sought to experiment with something new, and bring their unique artistic spin to Gibraltar’s well-established music scene.

The group featured Kerry Ann Ghio on vocals, Nicola Taylor on keyboard and backing vocals, Davina Mañasco as guitarist, Daphne Balbuena on drums and Amanda Gomez on bass. So far so standard, but the group defied expectations for any teenage band.

At 19, the average garage band would be learning to play and creating a repertoire of some popular songs to cover. By the time Succubus had begun performing, they had a practice room and had composed their own original songs, their live performances were a theatrical spectacle — the girls would be clad head-to-toe in black and leather, with shocking make-up; their shows included

by Karim Corby

Being the first to attempt any artistic endeavour puts you squarely in society’s crosshairs. When it comes to the new, the abstract and the unknown, the same questions arise; is it avant-garde or subversive? Is it the beginnings of culture or a cult? Because of this, it takes a particular brand of courage to be the first. It is in this spirit that I introduce the members of Succubus, a band given the dubious honour of being Gibraltar’s first in two departments — the first all-girl band and the first gothic act to boot.

44

A betting agent and a nurse, Amanda and Daphne are still in touch with their hardcore roots

GIBR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

show time elaborate dances or staged rituals alongside the music, and within their first year, they’d already released an original album.

They say any publicity is good publicity and the girls quickly gained plenty due to their notoriety, appearing under headlines such as The Witches of Gibwich and The spite girls, they were cited as “the ones the Christian brothers once warned us about”, but even their staunchest critics were strangely drawn to this fierce, eccentric new act.

Kerry explains; “People may have talked but most of all it was out of curiosity. We were different, they hadn’t come across anything like us.” Davina continues; “We were experimenting with our music, why not our style? People thought it was to shock, but what you saw on stage was us, just more so.”

It must be said, that musician’s artistic licences are checked against current society’s norms.

For example, glam rock legends Twisted Sister spent years fighting allusions of sexual deviancy and ultimately wound up defending

their practises to a senate committee. The same can be said for Marilyn Manson, whose eccentric style and music has seen him falsely accused of a number of outlandish activities, such as dousing his audiences in blood and some even claimed his music was responsible for the Columbine school massacre.

Even Succubus was not exempt, and stories began to surface, claiming the girls spent their free time opening tombs and killing small animals, homework permitting of course.

The best indication of their double image came from an encounter Kerry recalls. A lady approached her to say, “I may not like your music, but I’m glad there’s finally a girl band in town.

It’s about time.”

Similarly, they found that their teenage fans would congratulate them and simultaneously mention how their parents forbade them from listening. This curiosity worked to their advantage, and after a short time they were already called on to perform around Gibraltar, culminating in an event at the Gibraltar fair, supporting Melon Diesel; where they were offered the opportunity to tempt in the crowds like their demonic counterparts and warm up the stage for Melon Diesel.

Almost a decade after their formation, at a glance the ladies still shows touches of the band’s décor — the make-up is more subtle, the clothes dark yet tasteful, their lives, very much what any person would consider the norm. Kerry is happily married and raising two children, Nicola

Nicola & Kerry, years later and the girls are all still close friends

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

“

Davina made her own costumes, and even today she retains her unique style

is a teacher, Davina is an artist and shop owner, Daphne a nurse in the GHA and Amanda works in one of Gibraltar’s many betting companies.

When asked what they learned

We were experimenting with our music, why not our style? People thought it was to shock, but what you saw on stage was us, just more so

”

from their experiences, the ladies were forgiving. Nicola explained “There will always be people on both sides. We were talked about until we were gone and they found something new to talk about.”

Davina adds: “I think people are more open to it these days, but there will always be people who have a different take.” Kerry concludes by adding; “If we had the chance to do it again, we would, and if some teens asked for advice for their own band? All I can say is enjoy it, because we all did.” n

45

events

Members of the cast with director Raul Santos

‘La Roca’ film a winner in Seville!

of the cast from Gibraltar and the Campo area could attend this special occasion. The film was presented to a packed cinema, and was Directed by Raul Santos, and produced by 700g Films, La Roca premiered followed by an after party for the cast, proat the Cine Nervion as part of the Seville European Film Festival on Friday duction team.

La Roca then proceeded to taking the award 4th November, taking the prize for Best European Documentary. for Best European Documentary later on that The film tells the story of Gibraltar and La was an emotional experience for all those week. A huge congratulations to director, cast and crew for this outstanding achieveLinea — particularly before and after the clo- who attended the premiere.

A courtesy bus was organised so members ment! n sure of the frontier by Spain’s Franco — and

Taking the Plunge with the Polar Bear Swims

photos © DM Parody (http://dotcom.gi/photo

Christmas is a time of celebration and over-indulgence so by Boxing Day some may feel the need to get the heart racing again. The Caleta Hotel and the Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) have just the events — the annual polar bear swims, which see crowds of people braving the chilly December waters for fun, thrills, friendship and even for charity.

46

Participants in the Caleta Hotel’s event will begin arriving at 11.30am at Catalan Bay for a midday start, and later will be treated to mulled wine and mince pies courtesy of the Caleta Hotel. They will also receive a certificate for taking part. GASA’s event will be held on their own grounds at the slightly earlier time of 11am. The swim aims to prove that their roster of swimmers aren’t simply comfortable in a heated pool but can stand toe to toe with the most avid polar bears.

Of course, friends, family and spectators are welcome. So whether you’ll be taking the plunge or cheering them on, go along for a fun and quirky event that promises some laughs and a challenge in the midst of an otherwise lazy month. n Last year’s participants get a soaking

For information on the polar bear swims, call the Caleta Hotel 20076501, or GASA 20072869.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

fashion

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

leisure & sport

Retail& Activities

shopping & gifts

Sacha’s

hair & beauty

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

lessons & tuition

DUTY FREE WINES, SPIRITS & TOBACCO

GACHE & CO LTD

open 7 days 79 Main Street

EST. 1830

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

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

photography

Health & Beauty Salon

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

Don House Arcade Tel: 20077311

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

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

Tel: 200 73786

newsagents/books

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

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAziNE MAGAZINE •• DECeMBer DECEMBER 2011 2011

47 47

health & well-being

by Joma Ormrod(BOst.), Registered Osteopath, Atlantic Suites Health Spa

School bags putting kids at risk of back pain October saw ‘BackCare awareness week’ emphasising the importance of not over-loading children’s schools bag. The charity BackCare is believes young backs are being damaged by overweight school bags and badly-designed chairs.

Heavy bags can put pressure on the discs between the vertebrae which can cause long term back pain in small and still-developing bodies and children can suffer muscular pain, headaches, tingling and numbness in the arms and legs and even mobility problems.

Children should never carry more than about 15% of their own body weight. Parents can help by packing their children’s rucksacks and making sure that the heavier items are nearer to the child’s back.

48

Heavier items on the outside of the straining their back. bag tend to throw out the child’s centre of gravity out of balance, Other suggestions include: which leads to bad posture and 4 A backpack is usually more increases the chances of them comfortable than a bag

Heavier items on the outside of the bag tend to throw out the child’s centre of gravity out of balance, which leads to bad posture

that puts strain on only one shoulder, but even a backpack shouldn’t be overloaded.

4 When buying a bag, buy a sturdy, well-designed bag with wide, padded shoulder straps that reduces pressure on the neck and shoulder area. Buy a bag with adjustable straps which can be altered as the child grows.

4 Check your child’s posture after he has put the bag on. If you notice your child leaning forward or slouching, check if the bag is too heavy or if it has been packed incorrectly.

4 Make sure your child is only carrying the items they need for school that day — remove any unnecessary books and equipment 4 An increase of and more use of permanent child lockers for storing equipment or books that can be left at school.

The long term effects from carrying heavy bags include strains on the neck and shoulder leading to headaches, fatigue and an early development of poor posture along with strain to arms and wrists Another challenge to children’s health, and one which is specifically an issue for girls, are shoes in the form of high heels and flat pumps.

Wearing high heels (anything over 2”) is especially stressful on the joints of the foot because the whole weight of the body is forced into a narrow, pointed area.

High heels can contribute to knee and back problems because of the way wearers are forced to pay attention to their balance and to take shorter strides. Heels also force the thigh muscles to work harder, putting extra strain on the knee joints and tendon that runs from the knee cap to the thigh bone. Compared with walking barefoot, high heels increase the pressure on the inside of the knee by around 26 percent and over time this increased pressure on the knee can lead to osteoarthritis.

As with most things, moderation is the key here. Wearing the same type of shoe all the time can force your foot into an unnatural position. Flat shoes are usually easier on your feet than heels, but with no shock absorbency and little heel support, there is a risk of developing a painful condition called plantar fasciitis (pain on the soles of you feet) and calcaneal bursitis (pain under your heel).

The answer is to change your style of shoes regularly and avoid the extremes — don’t wear heels that are too high or shoes that are too flat. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

health & well being

Caring in the Community Many people in the community need daily help, whether elderly or suffering from other illnesses or disabilities. Grand Home Care is a new service to Gibraltar aimed at helping those in need of daily care, allowing people to remain at home and enjoy a good quality of life.

Artur Wasowicz, Managing Director, and Mary de Santos, General Manager of Grand Home Care

Located at 3 Turnbull’s Lane, just off Main Street, Grand Home Care’s friendly office and headquarters offers support for those in need of domiciliary care or assistance.

A new service to Gibraltar, established in July this year, the company already boasts a growing a client base, and seven dedicated

night sits, and structured sits for people with Alzheimer’s, and dementia care up to 24 hours a day.

Artur Wasowicz, Managing Director of GHC, has 10 years’ experience of running businesses, and General Manager, Mary de Santos, has 12 years’ experience in the care industry — both are experts in their field.

Artur talks of some of the positive aspects of their work; “We have seen many success stories while out in the community and received lots of positive feedback. We have also been instrumental in helping some of our clients to access other resources and support within the community that they were unaware they were entitled to.”

Staff are carefully screened and have strong care backgrounds, and it is clear from their experience that they are true advocates for the cause. Grand Home Care adheres to the UK Standards of Care as set down in the Care Standards Act. The company is also seeking membership of the UK Home Care Association, which assesses policies and practices to make sure they meet all UK Care Standards requirements. n

staff providing personal care to people who need it. Grand Home Care (GHC) was introduced as an alternative way of looking after the well-being of adults in need of care in the community. It offers practical care and housekeeping including planning, preparing meals, For more information about the services Grand housework and pet care. It also offers day and Home Care have to offer, visit www.ghc.gi.

Natural Beauty at Renaissance Would you like to have naturally pretty nails? At Renaissance Salon, located in Don House Arcade, right next to the Bread Bin, Peri can provide exactly this!

She is currently introducing a programme of manicure treatments aimed at achieving this goal.

It consists of ten manicures with a free eleventh treatment which includes a luxury heat treatment for baby soft silky skin. Your hands will look beautifully cared for and feel sensational, which is essential for feeling great when out and about over the festive and New Year season.

Each one hour treatment focuses on stimulating the natural, healthy growth of the nail, with massage of the cuticles using the Award Winning organic Dr Hauschka oil, and an aromatic massage of the hands, using blends of essential oils. The massage is especially beneficial for treating weak growth or problem nails.

The treatment also includes filing, cuticle trimming, buffing and varnish, and is ideal for the woman wishing to look after the health of her nails and hands, using natural products. Well what would you expect from Peri at Renaissance who has built up an enviable reputation in

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Gibraltar over the past 11 years for the excellence of her naturally inspired treatments? The Salon has been described as “ a haven of tranquility” and one visit will tell you exactly why!

The programme of 10 manicure treatments, along with the vast array of her other naturally based pampering experiences, makes an ideal Christmas present. All can be obtained through one of her custom designed Gift Vouchers which makes an ideal Christmas present. As well as the above treatment Peri, a former teacher, also offers a deeply relaxing reflexology treatment from her colleague Helen, which is another great gift! Plus there are countless other luxurious and pampering treatments available suitable for everyone. So whatever takes your fancy a Renaissance Gift Voucher is the key to a whole new world for you or your loved one.

So why not pop along to Renaissance at Don House Arcade, just off Main Street, or call her on 20077311. n

Peri Martin at Renaissance

49

Dr. Marco Vricella, HC Marbella Hospital

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p/FX :PVq

away from work. That’s why this month is popular for tummy tucks and liposuction, allowing you to start the New Year looking and feeling like new.

What’s at the top of your Christmas Wish List? To look younger, more in shape and feel more confident and positive? If so, then it might be worthwhile finding out more about how cosmetic surgery can help.

If on the other hand you are planning family celebrations and an active party season, then why not consider a private consultation with Dr. Marco Vricella of Aria Medical Group this month, and find out more about procedures available in the New Year?

This is always the time of year when we dress up and make ourselves look our very best. It’s great fun, but often our thoughts turn to how we might like to improve the way we look. So December could be your month to make these dreams a reality.

The Christmas Holidays are a great time to discretely have a procedure, with time for a relaxing recovery whilst you are

After all, at Aria Medical Group we know that cosmetic surgery can really transform lives, creating a more confident you. Face lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction and breast reductions & enhancements for example are all procedures which will make you look and feel your best, renewing your appearance and taking years off you!

To find out more please feel free to book a consultation. All consultations are private and free and it is your opportunity to find out more, and to understand your suitability for a procedure so you are able to make an informed decision.

To find out more please feel free to book a free consultation. Dr. Vricella holds free consultations at College Clinic, Regal House, Gibraltar every 2 weeks – for dates and to book an appointment please call:

+ 34 952 895 088 or email:

info@ariamedicalgroup.com websitel:

www.ariamedicalgroup.com

* Your first post operative year - we offer you the best possible service, without question.

%FDFNCFS JT UIF NPOUI PG GFTUJWF GVO PGGJDF QBSUJFT GBNJMZ HBUIFSJOHT BOE $ISJTUNBT NFSSJNFOU *U JT BMTP B GBOUBTUJD NPOUI UP DPOTJEFS IBWJOH DPTNFUJD TVSHFSZ

Cosmetic Surgery | Non Surgical Procedures | Cosmetic Dentistry

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FREE private consultations FREE genuine aftercare* FREE revision surgery* FREE 24 hour helpline*

Book your consultation

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* Your first post operative year - we offer you the best possible service, without question.

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By phone: (+34) 952 895 088 in English (+34) 662 936 058 en EspaĂąol Or online: info@ariamedicalgroup.com

Season’s Greetings!

And best wishes for 2012 to all our valued clients!

Dr. Marco Vricella Director of the Aesthetic Surgery unit at HC Marbella Hospital

FREE Consultations | Gibraltar |

Marbella

|

Madrid

health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

McTimoney Chiropractor

Your Family Chemists

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

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

CHEMISTS

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

PASSANO OPTICIANS LTD

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

Tel: 200 44797

British Registered Optometrists

Chiropodists

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

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

ChiropraCtors STEINER CHIROPRACTIC CLINICS

Chiropractic Health Clinic

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc DC

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

Member of the British Chiropractic Association

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

College Clinic, Regal Hse. Tel: 200 77777

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

Tel: 200 44226 Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA McTimoney Chiropractor, Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Flr, 58 Main St Tel: 200 41733 After hours: 200 40026

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

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

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

The Health Store

5 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 20073765

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

Suppliers of Glucosamine, Ginkgo Biloba and all vitamins.

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

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

JOHN W. MILES

HEARING CENTRE

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

Opticians / Optometrists

BSc (Podiatry), M.Ch.S

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

STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST

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

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

OSTEOPATHS

• Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children

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

• Wart (Verruca) Clinic • Diabetics

PERSONAL TRAINERS

Tel: 200 77777

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

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

Isabella Jimenez BSc (hons) 3/8 Turnbull’s Lane Tel: 54002226 email: jimenez.isabella@gmail.com

Need somebody to talk to?

Physicians

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

Psychologist

7 days a week 6-10pm

52 what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DeCEMBER 2011

l

health & well-being

Bat For Lashes Would you love to have thicker and fuller eyelashes? Claudia of Claudia’s Clinic offers her clients a unique, new and innovative eyelash treatment which makes your eyelashes grow thicker and longer permanently.

Exclusive to Claudia’s Clinic, this treatment promotes the natural re-growth of your eyelashes.

Unlike eyelash extensions, which are temporary, this treatment provides a permanent solution to thinner eyelashes, which lack volume.

The first visible results can be seen one month into the treatment, and extremely good results are visible

within the second month.

Priced at £120 for four weeks treatment, the application takes just five minutes, and must be done three times a week. Payment of half the amount can be done at the start of the treatment, with the remaining half due a few weeks into the treatment.

Make your eyelashes look amaz-

ing for 2012, with this new and unique treatment, only available at Claudia’s Clinic.

Not sure what to give your loved one for Christmas?

Claudia’s Clinic has gift vouchers available, so you can treat someone special to some pampering, at the hands of Claudia and her team, on the first floor at 58 Main Street. n

Aphrodite’s Spooky Fundraiser for SANDS The girls of Aphrodite Beauty on the Ocean Village Promenade got out their spookiest outfits last month to fundraise for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS) — www.uk-sands.org — a charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

53

health issues

Giles Ramirez:

Ultimately

by Jolene Gomez

With more than 30 years on the local and international music scene, Giles Ramirez has embarked on his first solo project, Ultimately.

Looking back at his musical career, Giles felt the time was right to take the plunge, and go it alone. Despite his many achievements, Giles has never thought of himself as a star, and remained humble and level-headed.

“I have always kept my feet on the ground, and always done everything for my passion for music, as it is much more than a hobby to me,” he says smiling.

As a young boy, Giles was interested in music, but it wasn’t until the early ’80s, he started to take his writing and composing seriously. “Stephen McLaren and myself would play at the Bayside Drama Studio for Christmas and end of term concerts at school.

You could say these were my teenage beginnings in music, with my good friend, who is like a brother to me,” Giles explains.

54

After working with various bands, such as Ash, and even trying his luck in UK, Giles returned to Gibraltar and formed Heads ‘O’ Tails, who had a pretty big following locally, especially after winning the Gibraltar International Song Festival in 1991, with the song Hard Times, written by Giles and Stephen.

“Although popular on the local scene, the band broke up the fol-

lowing year. I went on holiday with my wife, and on my return, had an unexpected message on my answering machine. A guy called Joe Soiza, who was born in Gibraltar but lived in London all his life, had heard one of my demos at Dennis Valerga’s studio in the UK. He offered me an audition for an up-and-coming band he was forming called Ghost. That message changed my life,” Giles

explains.

Within a week, Giles flew to London to record the demo, and eventually moved to Stratford-uponAvon. Ghost landed a publishing deal in London with Dick Leahy Music Ltd, which had worked with George Michael, Queen, and Pink Floyd. They achieved a recording contract and release their debut album, The Other Side, showcasing an album-oriented rock sound.

Behind this project was none other than Don Arden, music tycoon and father-in-law to Ozzy Osborne.

“For me to see our album in the shops was extremely surreal, however, what really impacted me as an artist was to see the people that were behind us, and the people who were investing in us. I realised things were actually happening!”

Ghost was busy on their UK tour, and even played in a festival at the Astoria 2 called Gods of AOR, which was recorded by MTV, and screened on their weekly programme, Headbanger’s Ball, a popular show viewed by rock enthusiasts worldwide.

The album was launched in Gibraltar, with a gig in Coaling Island, supported by Treehouse (later known as Melon Diesel), in the summer of ’95. With huge promotion behind the band, it sold over 3,000 tickets.

Despite his involvement with Ghost, Giles still managed to contribute to the local scene by being involved in a programme called Made in Gib, which aired on GBC and was a huge success. That same year he entered the Gibraltar International Song Festival, this time dueting with Andrea Martin with his own composition Touch Me Now, taking first place.

“

He offered me an audition for an upand-coming band he was forming called Ghost. That message changed my life

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

community

“

What really impacted me as an artist was to see the people that were behind us, and the people who were investing in us. I realised things were actually happening After the break-up of Ghost, Giles was called on to record and co-write the Bolton Wanderers’ Football Club anthem, called The Wanderers with fellow Ghost guitarist Steve Reid.

“Within a week, we shot the video in Bolton, with the football team taking part, and the single was released during the inauguration of the Reebok Stadium. To hear 30,000 people (Gibraltar’s population) was a thrilling experience. The video was shown before every match, and I’m still known in Bolton as the ‘Wander Kid’,” he laughs.

A few years later, Giles and Stephen McLaren began a new project called Reach, and landed a record deal with RCA/BMG Spain. They released their debut album, and their first single, Sigo Sin Dormir, entered the Spanish Top 40 charts.

After touring extensively with the hit band of the time, Estopa, playing to crowds of over 15,000 on a daily basis, they were “unfairly dropped by the record label.

But you learn from these experiences, on how to deal with business aspects and legalities of the music scene,” Giles explains.

Giles continued to be active in the local scene, with his band The Spoons, donating £2,000 of their

“

”

record sales to local charities. He was also one of the singers in the Need U Need Us project, and has performed extensively on the Rock at charity shows and National Day Rock Concerts.

His most recent project, Ultimately, is a compilation of his own songs, from the recently recorded to older ones which have been revamped, but all with Giles’ distinctive style.

“In previous bands I worked on the lyrical content, and left the album production and marketing to someone else. I have found that bands tie you down, and everybody is not as enthusiastic as yourself. So it came to the point that I wanted to write and produce an album by myself,” he states.

Contributing to the album are Stephen McLaren, Nigel Palmer, Guy Palmer, Christian Hook, Danny Vaughan, and Giles’ daughter Cora Ramirez on backing vocals.

“I’m very excited with this new project, and happy with how it has turned out. The mastering was done in Valencia, which has given the album an excellent, professional sound. Huge credit must go to Nigel Palmer who was responsible for the mixing, recording, arranging and engineering of the album (except for the track Heaven produced and mixed by Stephen

McLaren and Killer World acoustic version with alternate lyrics, produced and mixed by Charlie Moore). Glen Sanders is the talent behind the album’s artwork, and will be responsible for the future video,” Giles explains.

The album is very diverse, with a variety of song styles and lyrical content — rock ballads, up tempo songs, elements of R&B, some country-esque tunes and even electronic voice effects, it is an album for people of all musical tastes.

“The title, Ultimately, encapsulates the timing of this album — it was the right time to do it.

The lyrical content was created during different facets of my life, and not all songs are talking about personal experiences. However, many people will identify with the songs, as they portray real emotion. One song is about an orphan, another relates to the internet, and how meeting people via social networking can change a person’s life. The song Unfinished Business sums up the album, as this will

The title, Ultimately, encapsulates the timing of this album —­­ it was the right time to do it

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

”

55

music file definitely not be my last project, and I still have a lot to give to the music scene,” he smiles.

The album launch party will take place in Gibraltar in December.

“The public has always been welcoming and supportive towards my ventures — even after taking a hiatus for a few years, people never seem to forget me, and always respond positively to my work.

Nothing fills me with more pride

“

than to launch my work here, and it is an honour to do this for my people,” Giles explains.

You can grab hard copies of the album at local record shops, and the album will be available digitally at a later date.

For more information, view his website www.gilesramirez.moonfruit.com, and watch this space, as Giles’ Ultimately takes the music scene by storm. n

Nothing fills me with more pride than to launch my work here, and it is an honour to do this for my people

”

Heads`O` Tails: Tony Prescott , Giles Ramirez, Stephen Mclaren & Peter Chichon

Calendar of Events:

What’s On on the Rock December ’11 Saturday 3rd December Craft & Collectors Fair at St Andrew’s Church 10am to 2pm. Entrance fee £1.00. Standing fee £10 to include table and cloth. Proceeds to the Church Restoration Fund. For information Tel: 54023166 Email: viviend13@hotmail.com Thursday 8th December Gibraltar Election Friday 9th to Sunday 11th December, Friday 16th to Sunday 18th December Santa is Coming! Santa’s Grotto. Santa Claus will once again be visiting the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre. Time: 6-8pm. Tickets: £5.00 may be purchased in advance from the Leisure Centre’s reception. (All children visiting the Grotto will receive a gift and have their photo taken). For further information Tel: 20044777

56

further information Tel: 20045895 Wednesday 14th December GBC Open Day (in aid of Local Charities) 9.30am-6pm – Radio Road Show at the Piazza.

Followed by a variety show live on GBC TV from 9pm. For information contact Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation Tel: 20079760 or email: openday@gbc.gi Thursday 15th December The Gibraltar National Choir “Carol by Candlelight” at Holy Trinity Church 8pm.

Tickets £10 available from the Art & Craft Shop, Casemates Square or at the door 7pm . For information Tel: 20061165 or 54831000

Saturday 10th December Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Tour meets at George Don Gates (south end of Grand Parade). Time: 10.30am. No fee but donations welcome. For info Tel: 20072639 Email: alameda@wildlife. gib.gi

Monday 26th December Traditional Boxing Day Polar Bear Swim at Catalan Bay. For information contact the Caleta Hotel. Tel: 20076501 or email: sales@ caletahotel.gi Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) GASA Polar Bear Swim meets at GASA swimming pool, 10 Europort Avenue at 11am.

For information Tel: 20072869

Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th December Tiny Tots Nursery – Christmas Show presents “Santa’s Bedtime Stories” at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Time: 6pm. Tickets £5.00 available from Tiny Tots Nursery – Grand Parade. For

Saturday 31st December New Year’s Eve Celebrations. Live entertainment and fireworks to welcome the New Year at Casemates Square. For information contact the Ministry of Culture Tel: 20048063 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

photo competition

The Gibraltar Magazine Competition

Are you the Face of Gibraltar 2011?

This month, you can enter our exciting new competition to be selected as The Gibraltar Magazine’s Face of Gibraltar 2011-2012.

Open to all residents of Gibraltar, all you have to do to enter is send us your photo, by email or by drop a copy into our office, and have the chance to see your — or your loved one’s — face in the magazine over the coming months.

Our winners will be announced in the March 2012 edition. Our panel will select one winner from both a male and female category so everyone has a chance of winning.

To enter, please email a photograph (head shot only) with your name, age, and address to info@ thegibraltarmagazine.com or bring it to us at The Gibraltar Magazine, 17 Turnbull’s Lane, PO Box 1124, Gibraltar. All entries must be received by 1st February 2012.

We look forward to seeing your pictures!

Terms and Conditions: One entry per person. Deadline for entries 1st February 2012.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

57

history file

Thomas Bunbury:

An Old Veteran’s Tale Thomas Bunbury, born in Gibraltar on 19th May 1791, never knew the name of his mother, and neither do we. His father, Major Benjamin Bunbury, in sowing his wild oats, inevitably cast a few on fertile ground and young Thomas was the result. Not an uncommon tale, but whereas many a man would have walked away and left the unfortunate mother to cope with their child, Ben Bunbury was, to give him his due, a man of some honour and decency. He not only acknowledged the child, but paid for his schooling by the Church of England. When Ben married, seven years later, he made no secret of his past, and his accommodating wife, Anne (née Cowling), welcomed the boy, on at least one recorded occasion, into their home.

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Ben wanted to do his best by the fruit of his impetuous youth, and the man to help him do it was his brother, Hamilton Bunbury, who happened to be a colonel in the 3rd Regiment of Foot (the Buffs). Hamilton agreed to help the lad, even though young Thomas had once thrown a glass of wine in his face during an ugly scene at a family get together. Gallantly allowing bygones to be bygones, Uncle Hamilton arranged for his short-tempered young nephew to join the regiment in 1807. Maybe he thought a touch of military discipline would do the fellow good, or maybe, recalling his own early days in the barracks, he relished the idea of the insolent whelp being subjected to the indignities of the traditional initiation rites, especially the one where… but no, there are ladies present.

In any case, it was the beginning of a remarkable, if controversial career. It started conventionally enough. Bunbury’s induction into the Buffs coincided neatly with the beginning of the Peninsular War, instantly giving him that most desirable of opportunities for a young British soldier of the time — a chance to don the warpaint and wallop the French.

It was carefully explained to the lad that while tossing a glass of wine in a Frenchman’s face was considered a most fearful insult, it was seldom fatal, and of limited value in combat. (Perhaps this esteemed organ’s celebrated wine columnist could suggest a suitable wine for tossing into a Frenchman’s face?) Always willing to learn, he conscientiously took on board what his instructors told him, and became so adept at the more lethal arts of war, and so eager to demonstrate his mastery of them, that he was soon being regularly mentioned in dispatches.

For more than three years, from 1808 to 1812, he played his part in battle after battle — Oporto, Talavera, Barorosa, Tarifa, Nivelle. He was present at the taking of Seville, and fought fiercely in the defence of the bridge at Puento Largo. When Bayonne fell under siege, Thomas Bunbury was there. Twice he was badly wounded — the first time during a retreat (his commanders preferred the more technical term “tactical withdrawal”) from Bayer. So badly was he injured that the government, assuming he was about to die, granted him a pension of 100 pounds a year, payable from Christmas of 1827.

It was, of course, just the fillip he required.

He went on to make a full and, so far as the pensionmaster was concerned, a most costly and regrettable recovery. Sound again in wind and limb, the enthusiastic Bunbury went on to suffer a second serious wounding at the Battle of the Nive. This impertinence placed the authorities in a delicate situation. Once bitten, twice shy. Granting the man a second pension was to risk an open-ended, long-term commitment; yet such bravery was clearly deserving of some monetary reward. They decided to give him a year’s pay and tell him to be more careful in future.

In 1814, Thomas Bunbury was 23 years old and, given his proclivity for attracting potentially fatal injuries at the hands of the enemy, lucky to be alive. He had risen to the rank of Captain and had somehow found time to master Portuguese. Perfect! What better excuse to unload him onto the Portuguese Army as, oh I don’t know, let’s say a “special advisor”? That way, if he got wounded again, the Portuguese would have to award him a pension. Brilliant!

Trebles all round at the War Office.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

history file

by Dave Wood Tom Bunbury may have been a dedicated and courageous soldier, but he did have a little spare time, and most of it was spent partying and seeking out the company of attractive young ladies, who invariably fell victim to his charm and his riveting tales of derring-do. “Ah yes”, he would say, his jutting chin silhouetted starkly against the setting sun, “I took a bad one from Brother Pierre on the Nive. Would you, perhaps, like to see my scars?”

What fair maiden could resist? By comparison, shooting fish in a barrel was more difficult than genius-level Sudoku.

Bunbury stayed with the Portuguese Army for several years, earning himself the title of Companion and Knight, the Military Order of the Tower and the Sword, and a gold medal.

King Don Juan (no relation) thought it a poor reward for the man’s efforts, but secretly sighed with satisfaction at avoiding the necessity of granting the man a pension.

In October 1822, Bunbury left the service of the Portuguese and transferred seamlessly, retaining the rank of Captain, to the 80th Foot Regiment. The regiment was at that time stationed in Malta, and there followed five years of relative peace and inactivity in the Mediterranean sunshine, marred finally by news of the death of Bunbury’s father in tragic circumstances. In August 1827, Benjamin Bunbury, and his only legitimate son, Thomas’s 18-year old half brother, Henry, were riding in a pony chaise when something frightened the horse, which bolted, and in doing so overturned the carriage.

The two men were trapped underneath it for three hours, subjected all the while to the kicking of the terrified animal. Eventually, a passer-by came to their rescue, but Bunbury Sr never spoke again. He lay speechless in his bed for the better part of a week, and then died. Henry survived, and as the legitimate heir, inherited his father’s estate and titles. Thomas got nothing, but he knew the rules, and had never expected to benefit from his father’s death. Benjamin had known the rules too, which is why he made such strenuous efforts to ensure his illegitimate son should benefit while he was alive.

So, a successful Peninsular campaign, some fruitful years among the Portuguese, a cushy interlude in the Malta sunshine. Had that been all, the name of Thomas Bunbury would probably now be long forgotten, except among military archivists. It is the events of the latter part of his life that have earned him a place in the history books. The years of destiny began

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

on 21st November 1834. Bunbury was 43 years old and a prime candidate for a classic mid-life crisis when he was promoted to the rank of Major and ordered to escort a bunch of convicted felons to enforced exile in Sydney, Australia.

Transportation, as it was known, was a popular punishment. In effect, it swept criminals under the carpet. On the far side of the world they were out of sight, out of mind, and somebody else’s problem. Unfortunately, they soon became bored and started to play cricket.

In all, Thomas Bunbury escorted 17 groups of convicts to Australia before, in 1838, being placed in command of the penal colony on Norfolk Island. His views on the prisoners and how they should be treated ran to the harsh. He was an enthusiastic advocate of the maintenance of discipline by the use of the infamous cat o’ nine tails, professing surprise that the unspeakable villains in his charge should feel shamed by their public punishment when they felt no remorse for their wicked crimes. Another favourite aphorism, which did not quite put him in the Oscar Wilde class as a dinner table wit, was “if a man is too sick to work, he is too sick to eat”.

By this maxim he succeeded in reducing the

His travelling companion on the voyage was the Governor’s wife, and it was often rumoured that their relationship involved more than the occasional game of deck quoits

morning queue for hospital treatment by half, presumably at the cost of doubling the work of the gravediggers.

The prisoners were not the only targets of his hard, frequently brutal management style.

The soldiers who acted as prison guards were allowed to keep small private gardens in which they grew vegetables for their own use, and which they were allowed to sell to the convicts.

Many of them chose to build small huts on their land. Bunbury, either for aesthetic reasons, or just for the hell of it, ordered the huts to be destroyed. It was a step too far. The soldiers mutinied, and a warship was dispatched to restore order. To pre-empt an almost certain lynching, Bunbury was recalled to England in July 1839.

A year later he was given a second chance, and sent this time to New Zealand. His travelling companion on the voyage was the Governor’s wife, and it was often rumoured in the coming years that their relationship involved more than the occasional game of deck quoits. Nevertheless, he is remembered by New Zealanders today as St Heliers’ first farmer, and the first military commander of Auckland. From May to June, 1840, he was chiefly responsible for getting the Maori chiefs of both the North and South Islands to effectively sign away the rights to their lands in the Treaty of Waitangi. Now regarded as New Zealand’s founding document, it is also known as the Herald-Bunbury Treaty (the Herald being the ship in which Bunbury sailed around the islands collecting signatures).

He built a stone barracks in Auckland, and a house on his 116-acre St Heliers estate, both of which are still standing, as is a memorial stone raised in his memory at Karaka Bay. On 26th July 1844 he became a LieutenantColonel and thereafter sailed to India to become an active soldier once again in the Indian campaigns. On the way he was shipwrecked in the Andaman Islands — an incident which he described at length in the third and final volume of his memoirs, Reminiscences of a Veteran.

Retiring in 1853, Bunbury, now 62, abruptly married 29-year old Clara Matilda Harriott.

Clearly his popularity with the ladies remained undimmed, but the union did not produce the late-life consolation of children. To fill his long, hours, he set to work on his autobiography, which was published in 1861, the year of his death, which came — make of this what you will — on Christmas Day, the day when his pension fell due. n

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events

Chocolate Delights for the Festive Season!

Once again, AKIN will be raising funds for the Regent School Project in Sierra Leone, by selling three types of advent calendars (75g each) plus the traditional chocolate Santa — 200g of quality chocolate to delight young and old!

The Santas and calendars are priced at £2, and the more chocolates sold, the more children will benefit from improved education in Sierra Leone.

Last year AKIN Sierra Leone raised over £7,000 through the sale of chocolates and these funds were used to completely rebuild and furnish the Church of Christ Primary School located in Regent Village.

This was AKIN’s second school refurbishment and they will soon be starting work on the third school project in Kabala in the north of the country.

AKIN have also organised a car

raffle, and have so far raised over £5,000, and are still busy selling tickets, priced at £5. The car was paid for at the end of September so every ticket sold now will mean an extra £5 in the funds. The top

The more chocolates that are sold, the more children will benefit from improved education in Sierra Leone

prizes are a Renault Clio, a Honda motorcycle, a TV, a high-spec laptop, plus many others — in total there are 18 fantastic prizes. n For more information on the project visit AKIN’s website (www.akincharity.org). To buy chocolates or raffle tickets or get involved in the fundraising, contact Jimmy Bruzon on mobile: 57631000 or e-mail: jimbruzon@hotmail.com.

Gibraltar’s Ice Factor takes to the Rink!...

Jenni’s Ice Academy held their “X Factor on Ice” finals recently, with a panel of judges composed of various members of the press, entertainment and event fields.

The Ice Factor Skaters

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The event, sponsored by Bruno’s Restaurant, and held at the ice rink at King’s Bastion Leisure Centre, featured three categories following an exciting midterm course held by the academy.

Category One for beginners was hotly contested with the eventual winner Bryony Rutherford taking her first ever trophy. Category Two for academy one skaters was a tight fight for the top place; Alicia Linares coming out on top with her dynamic performance. At academy level two Gibraltar’s top skaters battled it out, and the winner Bobbie Holgate-Pope excelled to win.

This was the first X Factor-type competition to be held on ice by the academy and was thoroughly enjoyed by the skaters. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Sir Anthony Hoskins

history file Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good Oh! The Roast Beef of old England.

And old English Roast Beef!’

After the hands had partaken of dinner the rest of the afternoon was devoted to mirth and music.”

Sounds like a jolly good time was had by all. The Gibraltar Christmas was certainly an improvement over the previous year when the Christmas party was held at Acapulco, Mexico.

The temperature, which at its peak reached 120°F, wasn’t conducive to good cheer and the festive mood was dampened, to say the least, when a canoe full of visitors capsized and one man drowned.

Vice-Admiral Hoskins had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean fleet on 11th March 1889. His flagship was, and remained, HMS Alexandra until just days before the happy Christmas party at Gibraltar.

Hoskins left the Camperdown in May 1890 (he was promoted to Admiral in June that year) and transferred his flag to HMS Victoria where it remained until August 1891 when he was appointed First Naval Lord.

In tragic irony his last two flagships, Camperdown and Victoria, were involved in one of the

by Reg worst Royal Navy peacetime disasters. On the Reynolds afternoon of 22nd June, 1893 the Mediterranean Fleet (eight battleships and three large cruisers) were practising close manouevers off the coast of Tripoli when the bow of Camperdown sliced into the Victoria below the water line on her starboard side. It was a hot day and all of the hatches and means of ventilation were open. Because of that and the gaping hole in her side Victoria went down in just ten minutes with the loss of 358 lives. Among the dead was Vice-Admiral Sir George Tyron, Hoskins replacement as Commander-in-Chief. The Camperdown, commanded keys, geese… besides a good show of Christmas by Rear-Admiral Albert Markhan, was badly puddings, tarts, etc. Chinese lanterns were also damaged but remained afloat and suffered no conspicuous in the messes which presented a loss of life. brilliant effect when illuminated. At 12 noon the A court martial was held in Malta in July 1893. reed band paraded the mess deck to the tune of Although some blamed the Camperdown for the The Roast Beef of Old England. accident the court found Vice-Admiral Tyron wholly responsible.

‘When mighty Roast Beef was the Englishman’s Distressed by the news of the disaster Admiral food, Anthony Hiley Hoskins retired from his post as It ennobled our brains and enriched our blood.

First Naval Lord. He died in 1901 aged 73. n

Happy Christmas & Summer Tragedy

Christmas at Gibraltar in December 1889 turned out to be quite a good one for the crew of HMS Camperdown.

Vice-Admiral Sir Anthony Hoskins had made the nearly new (commissioned that July) battleship his flagship of the Mediterranean fleet and the 10,600 ton, 330-foot long dreadnought proved ideal for a Christmas party as one British newspaper reported: “The hands were astir early Christmas morning, busily preparing their Christmas dinner. Others were engaged completing the decoration of the messes with evergreens and coloured paper. The band mess was very tastefully decorated and was considered by all to be the best. The mess tables were literally covered with goodly things consisting of beef, ham, tur-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

In tragic irony his last two flagships, Camperdown and Victoria, were involved in one of the worst Royal Navy peacetime disasters

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events

by Elena Scialtiel

Tear up, Cosqui: Popism is born!

He has been hush-hush for a while, but he’s again making headlines with an explosive palette that mirrors his personality.

Paul Cosquieri, or Cosqui, as he signs himself in square capitals, is back at the Fine Arts Gallery with an exhibition that definitely thinks out of the box, even if it features only one-square metre paintings.

And when size doesn’t matter, one can focus on technique and subject matters, if they can be so defined, since abstraction attains its purest in these 35 untitled works catalogued only by number. Onlookers imprint them in their mind like on blank canvas, without preconception

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about what the artist wanted to say through them.

More than abstract, it is expressionism, or a merging of the two, aptly named ‘Abstract Popism’, a label that encompasses collage and painting for a destructive-creative process.

The idea comes from dilapidated layered advertising posters, torn by the elements until the stacked sheets form a new picture in its own right, drawn by the hand of time and chance, and often splashed with dirt or scribbled with

graffiti.

Paul began to reproduce this labour of nature in his artwork three years ago, and some samples have been already exhibited, but getting out of the closet in such large scale is a brave move even for the non-conformist artist of the Rock series, where the physical subject matter was just an instrument, like paint or canvas, to fashion an idea well beyond the skyline of the iconic North Face.

Loving or loathing it, if you enjoy it with un-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

art file biased heart, Abstract Popism is bound to leave a mark: you’ll leave the vaults in turmoil of emotions, none of which will be indifference.

First of all for the sheer visual impact from this neat line-up of squares, identical in size but very different in hues and state of mind, second for the boldness of the project, and most significantly for the immediate connection with pop culture and its cult for aesthetic excellence and branded lifestyle.

Paul uses cut-outs from glossy magazines or packaging as if they were splodges of paint, somehow depleting their concrete substance with a mystifying absolution of shapes into clusters of colour. However, they stand out and convey a message, which is different for each ‘reader’, through their own perception of sensual icons like stiletto heels or everyday commodities like breakfast cereal.

The information overload contained in each picture transforms it into ‘art in motion’, almost a video, with the inverse effect that the nearer you approach, the more you’re able to see the bigger picture and notice details hidden in the obvious concoction of figurative and abstract.

Being about the passage of time and the saturated bombardment of imagery society has accustomed us to, for Paul it is only fair his paintings take time to be figured out and have a story to be told by the art consumer as much as by the producer.

“The idea I have no control on their outcome seduces me. I am almost playing God with my ‘backwards collage’: I create it, destroy it — and most of all, I just let it happen.” Thus Paul describes his inventive method, which consists of building up layer upon layer of paint, paper, cardboard or rags with tons of glue, and then tearing it apart, without being too intentional but surely being brave.

Therefore, Paul’s intense work becomes three-dimensional not just because of its texturing, but for the nifty amount of hours invested in each work, paired with the time the consumer will spend deciphering every inch of it.

Influenced by Gerhard Richter’s work, he doesn’t plan the result and has no control over

GibDFAS lecture

The Joy and the Torment Well into its new season, GibDFAS offers a festive gift in the form of a lecture by Mr. Douglas Skeggs, author of the book on Monet River of Light which has sold over 30,000 copies worldwide. Entitled Monet and The Impressionists - The Joy and The Torment the lecture will take place on Wednesday, 14th December, at 7.30pm at the O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel.

Just at the time when photography was to take over many of the roles of commissioned painting, the Impressionists produced their movement in a blaze of light, meeting in the

Particularly popular with a public in their early 20s it may seem child’s play to the more conservative mind who demands structure in artwork GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Cafe Guerbois in Paris and started one of the greatest revolutions in the visual arts. Probably unequalled in popularity to this day, Monet and his friends created an ambiance of calm, charm and happiness, proving once again that art has its uses, to lift the spirits, record with realism as well as decorate the home!

Go along and enjoy this virtual Christmas Card on 14th December, relax with a drink at 6.30pm at the Eliott Hotel (top floor) and view the glowing colours created over a century ago, expertly presented by one of GibDFAS’s favourite lecturers. n

it — and if something goes wrong there is no room for redoing. Yet, the fun lies exactly in anticipating the surprise without having a clear picture in mind about what to expect, confident each is really unique.

Of course sometimes it doesn’t live up to expectations, so it is just a case of returning to square one, since there is no scarcity of glossy magazines around — hey who knows, maybe one day this very page will be part of art history!

Particularly popular with a public in their early 20s (literally and metaphorically), it may seem child’s play to the more conservative mind who demands structure in artwork, yet it is undeniably down to the stroke of a genius making an organic composition out of a heap of unrelated items that have the potential appeal of the bottom of a wastepaper basket spilt on a stained floor.

Abstract Popism premieres in Gibraltar on 14th December and will be on until the New Year, before travelling to Spain and further afield. And strong of Cosqui’s break in the Far East, hopefully it will ride the dragon in the Fragrant Harbour. n

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events

Lorraine Buhagiar:

by Jolene Gomez

Art for Art’s Sake

Mural

Lorraine Buhagiar was always surrounded by creativity and nature in Stoke-On-Trent’s countryside, so it’s no surprise that after taking a foundation course in Art, and ending up in Gibraltar by sheer coincidence, she has become a well-known artist on the local scene.

“At home, my parents were always making things and creating with their hands. My mother was very resourceful, and always sewing, knitting, etc. My dad was a carpenter and always doing things around the house. The atmosphere at home, in general, was very creative,” she says.

“I decided to go for a foundation course in Art and absolutely loved it, being taught the basics of painting and drawing. After I completed this, I got a job as a commercial artist

Mira flores

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working for a weatherproof clothing company.

Although it was great fun at first, it soon became quite mundane. In the ’70s it was important to get a job, and there was not as much support for the arts as there is now,” she explains.

She knew she needed something different in her life, and decided to leave England with a friend. Another friend who was in the Navy had just been to Gibraltar, and suggested they go there — everyone spoke English, the post boxes were the same as those at home, and they used three-pin plugs!

“We had never been to Gibraltar, but we took the challenge and booked a return flight, just in case! We stayed here for a week, managing to get a flat with a job at Both Worlds,” she remembers smiling.

Soon she met her husband, decided to settle down in Gibraltar, and has made it her home for the past 31 years.

Due to work obligations, art became a hobby

“

In the ’70s it was important to get a job, and there was not as much support for the arts as there is now

”

that would chew on her spare time. “My husband suggested I show Mario Finlayson of the Arts Centre my work, and although hesitant at first, I visited the Arts Centre. Mario was very encouraging and generous with his time, and asked me if I wanted to enter my paintings into the local competition, and attend life classes with him at the Arts Centre,” she explains.

“Working full-time initially, then later having two children, I didn’t have much time to paint so I just entered competitions such as

Lorraine Buhagiar GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

art file the International and Heritage. I was successful on quite a few occasions, and this got me motivated. Eventually when my children were older I was able to work part-time and dedicate more time to painting,” she smiles.

Her first exhibition, in May 2006, was an emotional experience in more ways than one.

Her niece was studying Fine Art at university and during her second year she had to study an artist, and decided to do a case study of her aunt. “Although I had always imagined doing an exhibition, I never thought I had enough material, or that my work was good enough for a solo exhibition. I had some work prepared, but needed to do many more pieces. The idea was daunting, but having been asked by my niece, I couldn’t refuse!” she states.

For Lorraine, the exhibition was more about helping her niece with her project than exposing her artwork — it helped her focus on the exhibition differently. “It was a combined effort by the whole family. My husband made the frames, the rest of the family organised the canapés for the opening night. With everyone helping out it was a beautiful and emotional evening,” she explains.

The evening was a success, and something that Lorraine would love to repeat in the future, perhaps a joint work exhibition with another local artist. She feels her work has changed a lot in the past few years, as her beginnings with watercolours have evolved into acrylic masterpieces, and she would love to expose her new work in the near future. Watch this space!

“I feel artists expose a lot about themselves when organising an exhibition, and it is always a challenge on an artistic and personal level, as getting together enough material is not easy. It is a daunting experience, at least for me, similar to when I was asked to do the murals at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre,” she explains.

Although she was used to doing small, detailed paintings, she was overwhelmed when approached to do this large project. It proved a physical challenge for her, as she stood on scaffolding for three months to complete it, but it did transform her into a better artist, and pushed her to trying different things.

“I researched the subject matter, as the brief had specific requirements, but I wanted to add my own flair to the project in keeping with what I was asked to do,” she explains.

At the moment, Lorraine attends life draw-

Anna

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Geramiums

ing sessions organised by Paul Cosqueri, which she describes as a social get-together, where the attendees create, talk and live art, led by the enthusiastic Paul, who always makes the classes great fun. She also does volunteer work at the Fine Arts Gallery, which is a way of keeping in touch with ongoing exhibitions.

“I’m a firm believer that art speaks for itself, and if you have something to offer, there are various ways to get your work out there. For me, it’s inspiring to see younger artists working with enthusiasm, and a group of artists working together.

“Art should always be done for art’s sake, and for the creative process of the artist to prosper,” she concludes. n

“

I am a firm believer that art speaks for itself, and if you have something to offer, there are various ways to get your work out there

”

Tea in Hyde Park

Beautiful Venice

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arts file

Miss Gibraltar Calendar 2012

Celebrating Fifty Years of Beauty

Featuring past Miss Gibraltar winners, the calendar will be launched during early December. All monies collected will be in aid of Wobbles — a children’s charity aiming to raise funds for children with disabilities, and most importantly, put a smile on a child’s face.

“The calendar does not include the typical

Photos by Gabriella Martinez

Renowned make-up artist Deepak Ramchandani has joined forces with top fashion photographer Jayden Fa to bring The Official Limited Edition Miss Gibraltar Calendar 2012 — Celebrating 50 Years of Beauty, which will be launched during early December.

Jayden and Guy at work on location with Hayley O’Brien

pageant shots — for years I had written out many ideas in my notebook, but never found a good platform to execute them until now,” Jayden explains. “The calendar is a crossover between fashion and concept photography, portraying our past beauty queens as models.”

The photos were taken over the past few

months, and feature 17 past Miss Gibraltar winners from different decades, including Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino.

“We want to show the women as being versatile models, and want to break boundaries from the stereotypical shots, by offering a mixed bag of photos, to provide the public with a unique and tasteful calendar,” Jayden explains.

“Giving the opportunity to past beauty queens — who perhaps have been out of the photography and modelling scene for a while — to be a part of this calendar, has turned this into an emotional experience. To see some of them overcome with emotion after seeing how good they looked on camera, was extremely gratifying,” Deepak says smiling.

Another member of the creative team is

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The calendar is a crossover between fashion and concept photography, portraying our past beauty queens as models

Deepak working on Larissa Dalli

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”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

arts file

Guy directing Kaiane Aldorino

Guy Baglietto, who assisted Jayden, as well as helping behind the scenes and directing the models during the shoots. “I wanted to make the models feel comfortable, and remove any insecurities they had, as some of them had not done a shoot in years,” Guy says.

“To think that not only are we changing children’s lives through the charity, but we are also making the models feel special and beautiful, and boosting their self-esteem, makes the project worthwhile,” Jayden adds.

The team have taken their creativity to the limit, and have worked with various fashion designers, including adopted Gibraltarian Ismael Lopez, Dorcas Hammond, Pricilla Sacramento, Christel Mifsud, as well as an array of hair stylists and body make-up artists.

Gabriella Martinez was responsible for the behind the scenes photography, as the team wanted to keep as many memories of this project as possible, and as Jayden was busy shooting the models, appointing another photographer for the behind the scenes photos was a great idea.

Calendars are priced £10, and will be officially launched on Tuesday 13th December, at Casemates Vaults, Casemates Square, from 6pm to 8pm. From 14th to 17th December, they will be sold at the ICC, Casemates, from 10am to 2pm.

On 17th December, there will be a signing session at the ICC with past Miss Gibraltar’s, including Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino, present.

Calendars can be pre-ordered online, by sending an email to missgibraltarcalendar@ hotmail.com, and will be sold in a variety of shops in town. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

“

Giving the opportunity to past beauty queens, who perhaps have been out of the photography and modelling scene for a while, to be a part of this calendar, has turned this into an emotional experience

”

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by Richard Cartwright

Pantomimes are very popular in Gibraltar, but increasingly in other parts of Europe magic shows are taking off in a big way during yuletide, so this Christmas, local illusionist Jordan Lopez is planning a resplendent feast of magic in Masters of Illusion being staged at Ince’s Hall!

“I much prefer the word ‘illusion’ as opposed to ‘magic’ because in reality there isn’t such a thing as magic — but I can certainly create an illusion and make you believe what you see happening on stage is

photo: David Rodriguez

“

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I worked for production companies that made programmes for Channel 4 and some of the other main networks like Fox TV

”

real or, magic, if you prefer. In reality, you are simply being tricked!”

That’s the candid view of illusionist Jordan Lopez who has been in love with the world of magicians since he was seven.

“I think I must have been to 100 circuses as a boy and have always been interested in that form of entertainment. I’ve always admired Paul Daniels and David Copperfield, who’s an icon of the world of illusion.” The urge to get involved in that magical world remained dormant for many years and it’s only in recently Jordan has really got involved in illusions!

In the world of entertainment our illusionist has been very involved in television and dabbled in radio for a time too. He was a presenter

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

photo: David Rodriguez

*Faster*Than*Magic

photo: David Rodriguez

performing arts on Radio Gibraltar for a while but became more involved in TV work.

He presented a youth programme but his forte lay behind the camera which is where he directs most of his attention, apart from ‘magic’, of course, nowadays.

“TV and radio, to a point, are my two passions and I went off to university in Buckinghamshire (BCUC) to obtain a degree in media and television studies. I stayed in the UK and managed to get some work as a cameraman which is what I mainly work as today.

“Full-time jobs in television and in the film industry are not there for the taking at the best of times but I managed to get work on and off, and gained tremendous experience in many fields. I worked for production companies that made programmes for Channel 4 and some of the other main networks like Fox TV. “I was involved in field work, news gathering jobs, with international companies wanting corporate videos made, and I did some music videos too. It was all freelance work in the main but I was kept relatively busy.”

More recently Jordan has been on the Rock working freelance for GBC, filming Party Political Broadcasts (PPBs) and doing other jobs which come his way. For the time being Gibraltar is his base but he doesn’t rule out going off again to some other part of the world should an opportunity knock at the door!

So what re-ignited the magical flame in this young man, who recalls owning a Spanish magic set including the must-have magic wand in the box, and a Marvin’s Magic collection from Hamleys of Regent Street?

“Well, I was invited up the Coast to Benalmadena one weekend and saw an advert for a magic show that was being staged in town. I went along and, to cut a long story short, was more than impressed by what I

saw and it gave me the inspiration to start getting involved in a more serious way.”

Jordan is referring to the Dutch illusionists, Magic Unlimited, who have appeared in Gibraltar a number of times and are based on the Costa del Sol for much of the year.

“We have since become great friends and, at the time, they loaned me some equipment to help me get started and set up Faster than Magic, which is what I call my act. We keep in touch all the time. They travel a lot all over Europe and beyond and I feel it’s important to keep that contact alive to discuss the different aspects of our work.”

Jordan describes his chosen form of entertainment as “expensive!”

All of the established tricks or illusions are copyright and costly to purchase. It’s not easy to come up with completely fresh, new tricks, although there are individuals working on new ideas all the time.

Although the same basic, deceptive, pieces of equipment are used, it’s in the presentation where a good performer stands above the rest. Jordan explains, “When it comes to ‘manipulation’ the Chinese are the best, for ‘illusion’ you go to Las Vegas and for ‘mentalism’, it has to be Derren Brown.”

Well cameraman and illusionist Jordan, who practised and practised for the benefit of family members for quite a number of years, but never had the confidence to break out on stage for a wider public did so... eventually!

26 year old Jordan, who has already appeared in a number of big shows locally and is now

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Jordan Lopez behind the camera

working hard getting ready for the Christmas production of Masters of Illusion presented by the Ministry of Culture and organised by Faster than Magic.

When it comes to ‘manipulation’ the Chinese are the best, for ‘illusion’ you go to Las Vegas and for ‘mentalism’, it has to be Derren Brown

”

The show will be staged at Ince’s Hall on 15th and 16th December and will include Javi and Mago Juan Manuel from Spain and Jamie Zammitt from Gibraltar as well as Jordan’s Faster than Magic team, comprising sister Shayla, Gianna, Nicole and the master illusionist Jordan! There’ll be one or two more acts making up the show.

Tickets, £8, are on sale at the Nature Shop in Casemates and proceeds go towards the GBC Open Day Fund. n

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puzzle page

by Alan Gravett

SUDOKU

6

Win a lunch for two at

8

The Cannon Bar

1

2

4

3

5

7 9

11

10 12 13

14 15

16

17 18

19

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

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One entry per person.

Closing date: 20th December 2011

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

Last month’s winner: Iris Caetano 2 Electra Flats, Scud Hill

One entry per person.

Closing date: 20th December 2011 Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

20

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

Last month’s winner: May Gerord, 13/5 Kings Street

Across 1. Old Cowboy hero with a horse called Trigger (3,6) 8. Picked up aurally; judged a trial (5) 9. English eastern city with a Premier league football

team (7) 10. Surprised; alert (4-4) 11. Light over the head indicating piety (4) 13. Male bees with no sting and who do not make

honey (6) 14. Public building usually with ancient artefacts etc.

on display (6) 16. Belonging to you and me (4) 17. Board games (8) 19. Artist; decorator (7) 20. Head (slang) (5) 21. Kitchen tool for making meringues etc. (9) Down 1. Blushed (8) 2. Over there (6) 3. Plant with edible pods sometimes called lady’s

fingers (4) 4. People who lived during the reign of the monarch

from 1558 to 1603 (12) 5. Educator (12) 6. Neil Simon play adapted into a film starring Jack

Lemmon and Walter Matthau (3,3,6) 7. (Now illegal in the UK), a form of hunting where

greyhounds pursue a rapid mammal (4,8) 12. Cylindrical vegetable used in salads and for

pickling (8) 15. Turkish mountain where Noah’s Ark is said to

have come to rest (6) 18. Visible sign of an eye infection (4)

Jotting Pad ...

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Homemade, Boac, Comic, Mahatma, Demonstrator, Insult, Monroe, Headmistress, Idiotic, Pitch, Trek, Couscous. Down: Hock, Wishlist, Members, Alike, Microclimate, Damask, Psycho, Choreographs, Octet, Risotto, Chairman, Thus.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

events

Diwali Invited guests and staff gathered at the Khubchands store on Main Street to celebrate the Indian “festival of lights” — Diwali — last month. Tasty treats, soft drinks and the Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band marching to the store completed the gathering. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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Photo: Mark Galliano

Allan and Jay Alman

Allan & Jay: Come in Leon

the Rock’s Chameleons

by Karim Corby

Allan Alman is an institution in Gibraltar; easily recognised as the colourful proprietor of Rock on the Rock club, tucked away in Town Range. Over the years Allan has established himself and his club as a Mecca for youth music, hosting a variety of events from live bands to guest DJs and music themed nights. He offers rehearsal rooms for artists all over Gibraltar and plays a major role in musical events around town — the best known being the annual Battle of the Bands which this year saw upcoming local artists The Noiz take first place.

This year’s show was hosted in the youth pavilion of the Gibraltar fair and Allan took the opportunity to also showcase his latest musical project. Rather then acting as organiser, he took the stage as the lead singer of band Come in Leon — the brainchild of Allan and son Jay, as well as a collaborative effort between a number of Gibraltar’s well-known musicians.

The band was formed in 2009 and combines Allan’s experience in music with Jay’s skill in

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composition, and for those who know Allan, the sound is unlike anything he’s ever done before.

The band’s name Come in Leon is a play on the word Chameleon, representing the variety of styles and influences that went into the compositions.

“We all had different tastes in

“

music,” says Allan. “My style comes from ’70s classic rock, Tristan’s is metal, and Danny is Glam, Charlie prefers the indie and alternative scene, and Jay’s background is more modern acts like Foo Fighters and Muse.”

The band’s repertoire mixes funk, soul, rock, and punk into a

We didn’t want to limit ourselves to one style, we want to appeal to a wider audience as well as experiment a little

”

form that can only be described as ‘fusion’. Allan explains “We didn’t want to limit ourselves to one style, we want to appeal to a wider audience as well as experiment a little. If you look at the bands who really made it, they were the ones that offered something different, in the ’60s it was the Beatles, later it was Pink Floyd.”

Allan has decades of music experience tucked under his belt, both from his work at the club, hosting bands as well as per-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

forming as vocalist and touring in a number of acts as far back as the ’80s with Oracle and later with Tredegar, which, featured several members of Budgie a band widely considered to be one of the first heavy metal bands and a seminal influence to many acts in that niche. Tredegar have collaborated with members of Cloven Hoof, Persian Risk and even Black Sabbath.

Taking his experience into account, there was no doubt Allan had the skill and talent demanded of a vocalist, but in his words; “It was a totally different style of music; and people were sceptical, they wondered if I could change, and at first, so did I. After the first rehearsal though, I raised a couple of eyebrows, people were impressed.”

The current line up of Come in Leon is members who have made a name for themselves performing in and around Gibraltar, be it as a regular in the Eliott Jazz Night or as a live act in Lord Nelson, and each one of them has, at some point or another, graced the stage at Allan’s establishment.

Come in Leon is currently preparing for the launch of its debut album Sugar in the Ashtray composed, recorded and performed

by Allan and Jay Alman, Danny De Lara, Tristan Howes and

Charlie Moore. The songs were recorded in and around Rock on the Rock including, as Allan puts it; “Weird places, but it seems to have worked.”

Sugar in the Ashtray will be released in December to coincide with a live performance in Rock on the Rock on 23rd December, featuring new performers and a few guests including Nicky Gonzalez on sax, Chris Calderon on keyboards and Jenson ‘Jay’ Callejon on drums.

The album will also be available on iTunes and will be released with a video of the band by Donovan Torres.

Half of the band’s profits for the show and the album will be donated to charity. “Our main focus is recognition,” says Allan. “Money is good, it shows

a band’s success, but what we want is recognition for the work the band has put in, and if we can do some good while we’re at it, all the better.”

So to all rockers, moshers and head-bobbers, this is an event not to be missed. With the money going to a good cause, it is very hard to think of a good reason not

“

Money is good, it shows a band’s success, but what we want is recognition for the work the band has put in

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

”

Jay Alman is credited as composer but can be heard performing on the up-coming CD

Photo: David Rodriguez

Danny De Lara performing at Battle of the Bands 2011

to show your support.

Hardcore supporters should pick up the CD or download the album on iTunes and be treated to a rare performance by Jay Alman, and see this talented young man is not only a competent composer, but more than holds his own with these Rock on the Rock veterans.n

Photo: Mark Galliano

Steene Busto and Tristan Howes performing at Rock on the Rock

Photo: Mark Galliano

music scene

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history file

Cecile, Joel and Emily will be experiencing a Global Xchange with VSO

Our Youth Go Global X Global Xchange is a volunteer youth exchange programme for 18-22 year olds which is managed by Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). This month saw the first four participants from Gibraltar starting their greatly anticipated exchange.

The projects help participants become actively involved in their host community and involve a bilateral exchange. The volunteer placements last for a total of six months — three months working on a volunteer placement in the UK and another three months working on a volunteer project in an exchange country.

Placements have included working on AIDS awareness campaigns, working with vulnerable people, focusing on education, and developing youth leadership. Volunteers have also contributed to sustainable programmes in Asia working with farmers on agriculture, training young people in IT skills and working alongside young national volunteers in Africa or Asia to design and run events and campaigns to promote changes aimed at reducing poverty.

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In the UK, participants may work on projects helping young people to be involved in the community through youth projects, creating campaigns for change and becoming active contributors to the local community.

The project in Gibraltar is being funded by the Kusuma Trust which considers Global Xchange perfect for young people who want to make a real difference in local communities, travel and learn about different cultures.

“It will help young people to develop new skills which will be

attractive to future employers and educational institutions,” a representative of Kusuma Trust explained. “Of course it will also open young people’s mind to different issues that affect different communities and will help them to become active global citizens.”

Although the volunteering aspect of Global Xchange will be totally funded by the Kusuma Trust, Gibraltar citizens will be supported to fund-raise to ensure the continuation of Global Xchange work. This year’s GX volunteers are Meenal Viz, Cecile Teuma, Joel

Global Xchange is perfect for young people who want to make a real difference in local communities, travel and learn about different cultures

Francis and Emily Batty.

Meenal Viz’s exchange is in Mozambique and Swansea.

“My six month programme with Global Xchange is one which I hope to take as an adventure as well as a challenge,” she says. “I will spend three months in Mozambique and another three months in Swansea.

Since there will be volunteers working with Global Xchange in Mozambique, we will be living in a host home. Each volunteer will be a host to one of us who is travelling from the UK. “As well as being excited and enthusiastic for my future projects within the community in Mozambique, I do feel a bit nervous,” she explains. “With no running water and very limited electricity, my lifestyle will change quite drastically.

However, this is something not

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

youth projects

by Mark Montovio many people my age can say they have experienced. Knowing there will be another eight volunteers in the same boat as me makes me feel a lot better!

“My projects in Mozambique will mainly revolve around working with school children as well as HIV/AIDS patients. We will be running workshops with the community to provide them with better resources for learning. Our overall aim is to build a community and provide them with sustainable resources,” she adds.

“Our next three months in Swansea will be much much cooler, in terms of weather of course! This will be more of a culture shock to our counterparts from Mozambique. This is the whole aim of the programme. We learn from our counterparts and they learn from us.

“We aren’t aware fully of our projects in Swansea but they will be based around the same idea.

We hope to build a community in Swansea in areas which aren’t as privileged and once again, provide them with sustainable resources.

“I hope my six month journey changes me as a person and allows me to have a whole new perspective on our global community. I hope to gain many skills and opportunities where I can make a difference whether big or small,” she concludes.

Cecile Teuma’s exchange is in Birmingham and Kenya.

“VSO’s Global Xchange programme is a huge opportunity for self-development and to experience how less fortunate people live in other parts of the world,” she says. “Having recently completed a Criminology and Psychology degree, joining the programme will expand my knowledge and, I am sure, put me on an even better track towards my future career.

“I am very glad that the Kusuma Trust in Gibraltar has chosen to support VSO, enabling myself and others from here to benefit from the Xchange programme.

“Although we still do not have the full details of what’s expected of us, I already know the programme

will comprise three months living in Birmingham undertaking some youth leadership work together with a young person from Kenya, with whom I will then spend a further three months in Malindi, Kenya, carrying out a similar project.

Joel Francis’s exchange is in Manchester and Rajasthan, India.

“I am a student taking a gap year and I wanted to do charity work overseas to help and give back to communities that need it,” he explains. “I am very excited about leaving and I am expecting it to be an eye opening, fun experience.”

Emily Batty’s exchange is also in Manchester and Rajasthan, India.

“Why did I make the decision to embark on this venture with the Global Xchange programme?

After researching copious amounts of voluntary opportunities abroad, this Xchange (afforded to me by the Kusuma Trust) seemed to be the one that stood out from the rest. It focuses upon sustainable development and global awareness through engaging and living with host family homes within two polar-opposite cultures.

“I was really drawn to the prospect of volunteering in two dynamic communities alongside a counter-part with whom I shall spend the entire duration of the programme — three months in Manchester, and three months in north-west India. Together we will be working as a unit, and we will be getting deeply involved with each community through community projects, campaigns, health and education — a broad multitude of acts in aid of sustainable development.” n For more information on the programme, visit the Global Xchange website www.globalxhange.org.uk or contact the Kusuma Trust to see what other opportunities are available in the near future — www.kusumatrust.gi.

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Will be working as a unit, and we will be getting deeply involved with each community through community projects

”

Meenal Viz

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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community events

New Airport for the Rock Last month the much anticipated Gibraltar International Airport opened its doors for the public to view. It partially opened to flights at the end of November and will be fully operational in the new year.

With increased facilities for baggage handling, retail outlets, more check-in desks, escalator,s and glass lifts and VIP areas, this airport is state-of-the-art.

There is free wifi (take note Heathrow/Gatwick!) and recharge points for laptops and phones (pictured left).

And best of all? The views from the airport are simply stunning of course... n

Lights!

11-year-old Kevin Castle carried out the honours of switching on the Christmas illuminations which will brighten Gibraltar’s main thoroughfare throughout the festive season, until 6th January 2012. As customary they will remain on through the nights of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, 5th January 2012.

Following the switching on ceremony the Sacred Heart School Middle School choir performed a selection of popular carols. n

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photo by David Rodriguez

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

events

Superyacht Stampede at Ocean Village As proof that Gibraltar’s Ocean Village is a superyacht magnet, last month in just one week six heavyweight vessels cruised in all requiring berths. Thanks to 2010’s Premier Berth expansion programme, there was space for all as well as a fantastic photo opportunity for passersby.

Ros Astengo, Business and Development Manager at the Ocean Village Pier Office, comments, “We had 33m Suakin, 43m Calliope, 55m Turquoise, 56.5m Hampshire, 60m Sea Pearl and mammoth 61.5m Solemar all at anchor in our marina this week. Literally tens of millions of pounds worth of luxury.

“Ocean Village continues to be their marina of choice as Gibraltar’s fuel is tax-free, up to 40% cheaper than neighbouring Spain, our berth rates start from £3.50 per metre per day for boats of this size and of course it makes

strategic sense. Geographically, Gibraltar is at the confluence of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic — a familiar British stop off for the megayacht ‘milk run’. Ocean Village has no competition.”

Off the water, Ocean Village has plenty to entertain and occupy visiting crews. The Marina offers retail therapy with fashion boutiques and liquor stores (and an all-important chandlery), hospitality heaven with everything from Irish pubs to authentic Indian cuisine as well as nightclubs and Gibraltar ’s only combined

casino, bingo club and sports betting zone. A Health Club is also on-hand for maintaining that body beautiful.

As a recent innovation, the retailers and restaurants in Ocean Village marina have launched a special “Premier Card” offering discounts in the various waterside establishments. Marina users will get their own day version of the Premier Card which will entitle them to all of the standard advantages alongside additional discounts from the Hire-U-Shop and Sheppard’s Chandlery. n

Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465 email: gibfamanon@yahoo.com

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

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

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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“My father had a cabaret, and from the age of three I was already singing tango. I imitated all the tango singers and dancers who came to the cabaret, and grew up in this atmosphere,” Raul explains. “When I was eight, José Virulazo taught me the basic dance steps — those eight movements which give you the rhythm of the tango. I instantly fell in love, and like any inquisitive apprentice, I wanted to learn more and more.”

It was Pepito Avellaneda who recommended Raul train seriously, and after following his advice, Raul dabbled with all styles and techniques, and took classes from the best. “I started to take classes with every teacher I met: Juan Carlos Copes, Roberto Herrera, ‘El Negro’ Terraza, Martín Ojeda and Martín Gutiérrez — I got the best out of all of them.”

The coup in Argentina in 1955 that ousted General Perón had profound consequences for the country as a whole, and for the tango in particular, launching the region into a kind of modern Dark Age of Tango, he explains.

The new military government was made up of members of the upper classes, for whom the culture of the masses was alien and dangerous.

They did not understand the tango, and definitely did not dance it.

The repressive right-wing regime encouraged other dance styles, such as rock and roll, at a time when conservatives all over the world were trying to stop young people dancing to this wild new music. But it served the purpos-

The Tango did not disappear.

It was pushed underground, often danced in smoky, murky pubs and cabarets of the suburbs, which kept it raw and alive

Takes two to Tango!

Raul Rusconi: Takes

2 to Tango

by Jolene Gomez

Originating from La Plata, Argentina, Tango blood flows through Raul Rusconi’s veins. Immersed in the world of Tango by his father, he learned from celebrated Argentinean greats, and is now offering his skills and expertise in Gibraltar, with the hope of establishing a love for the Tango here.

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es of the regime, and it served them well.

Although specific songs were banned, some of the titles had to be changed, and they tried to kill the tango, the tango did not disappear.

It was pushed underground, often danced in smoky, murky pubs and cabarets of the suburbs, which kept it raw and alive.

With the fall of the military junta in Argentina in 1983, a spectacular Tango Renaissance began in Buenos Aires. After taking classes with the grand masters of tango, Raul was already a specialised dancer and teacher. “The atmosphere was extraordinary, and suddenly everybody wanted to dance, and wanted to learn to tango — the ultimate symbol of Argentina to the rest of the world — because suddenly it felt alright to be proud to be Argentine again. It was a great time,” Raul remembers.

As did many Argentines, Raúl Rusconi went to Spain, eight years ago, carrying a briefcase full of tango. He first opened it in Granada, later in Barcelona, and now in Tarifa, where he works as a dancer and teacher, and establish the Underground Tango School.

“In Europe there were many teachers who opened the doors for the rest of us, and tango is very well known here thanks to them. I have taught seminars in London, Italy and all over Europe, and have performed in exhibitions all

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

by Jolene Gomez

Tango enthusiasts at the Instituto Cervantes

over the world,” Raul explains.

One of Raul’s most incredible experiences on stage, was performing with a live orchestra in Tarifa. “My dance partner was unable to perform that evening, so I had to do it alone. I then received the devastating news that my father had passed away in my dear Argentina. I was in shock, but I knew I had to perform, and to say goodbye to my father by dancing would have been my father’s dream. So I turned up at the venue, much to the amazement of the organisers and musicians, and performed for my father. It was a very emotional experience — the orchestra played like never before, and I don’t remember what I did on stage. I was just overcome with grief and passion and had flashes of my father whilst I performed. It was an overwhelming experience,” he says.

As his wife is English, he has travelled to Gibraltar on various occasions, and always felt the Rock was calling him to work here and inspire people to tango.

“I then contacted the King’s Bastion (leisure complex) where I started teaching. The classes were well received. I was then contacted by the Instituto Cervantes to organise activities there. As it has recently opened, it was a great opportunity for me to start promoting tango on the Rock.”

Everybody thinks the tango is a difficult style, but Raul has taught people all over the world, and is convinced he can teach anyone to tango, along with with his assistant Veronica Horcajadas.

“The first step is coming to classes, which are worked at a slow pace and the environment is great, non-competitive and lots of fun. There

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

is no need to come with a partner, as sometimes it’s best to get confidence in your own movement, and then move to couple work.

The classes start with weight changes, and the concept of leading and following. I then proceed to moulding these people into dancers,” he explains.

Raul is available for group sessions, and private classes. He likes to prepare dancers for exhibitions, and Milongas — an event where the tango is danced. “To organise a Milonga, all that is required is a space large enough to have the dancers, and a music system. Then we need, of course, the dancers. At the start of the evening, a basic step is taught for those people who do not know anything about the tango, then the music and the dancing starts.

This can be in the open air, or a closed environment. At this social event, the atmosphere is very welcoming,” he explains.

Raul would love to organise a Milonga in Gibraltar, where he feels it would be popular.

The idea is to wake the dancer inside of every-

“

The first step is coming to class, which are worked at a slow pace and the class environment is great, non-competitive and lots of fun

”

one, as tango is a social dance, not exclusively for professional, competitive dancers. n It you would like to try the tango, Raul teaches at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre on Wednesdays at 6pm, and at the Instituto Cervantes on Fridays at 5.30pm. For more information, Raul can be contacted on Tel: 00 34 669680488, or email raulrusconi@yahoo.es.

Raul with partner Veronica

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charity projects When the late Peter Caetano visited London in 1987 for treatment for cancer, his was not a pleasant experience. Illness never is, but not only was there the discomfort of his treatment, he also found London’s cheaper hotels bleak and lacking the sort of human contact and sense of ‘home’ that would have helped ease his discomfort.

Back in Gibraltar after treatment, Caetano was determined to do something to improve the situation of invalid Gibraltarians in the capital and discussed the need with friends.

Years earlier and on a different tangent, Albert Poggio — then a university student in London who later was to become ‘Mr Gibraltar’ to hundreds of British politicians as head of the Rock’s official offices — had his own dream.

A ‘home from home’ where students and other visitors from Gibraltar could meet to share their common interests and slake any homesickness.

“Somehow the two concepts gelled and the idea of a ‘Gibraltar House’ in London was born,” Poggio explains. “Peter Caetano was the moving force and worked tirelessly to get

He found London’s cheaper hotels bleak and lacking the sort of human contact and sense of ‘home’ that would have helped ease his discomfort

Calpe House in Bayswater, London

Calpe House:

by Peter Schirmer

Family Away from Home for Patients Gibraltarians are noted for their charitable generosity, and they dipped deep into their pockets in 1987 and 1988 raising in less than 18 months a staggering £300,000 to help fulfill the dream of a local man dying from cancer. Their generosity and the co-operation of local bodies, such as the Red Cross, led to the purchase of Calpe House, the graceful Georgian house in Bayswater which in the intervening years has given comfort to and eased the cares of hundreds of Gibraltarians visiting London for medical treatment.

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things up and moving; and Joe Bossano, the then Chief Minister, threw down a challenge that Government would contribute a pound for every pound the public raised.”

The £600,000 raised by the joint contributions bought the five-storey house in Bayswater which was converted into 10 small two-bedroom flats each of which could accommodate two patients sponsored by the GHA and the relative who accompanied them. Each flat had shared kitchens, sitting rooms and bathrooms.

Today Calpe House is ‘conservatively’ valued at £6 million. It is owned jointly by the Gibraltar Government and the Calpe House Trust — a charitable organisation registered in both Britain and Gibraltar. As a charity it does not pay rates on the property which otherwise would be financially crippling. Basic running costs are about £50,000 a year.

“We gave a 50% share to the Gibraltar Government as a mark of appreciation for the Joe Bossano regime’s generosity,” says Poggio.

“The Caruana government has been equally supportive, and most of the basic running costs are covered by the allowance per patient paid by the GHA’s sponsored patients department.

But the Government has no say in the actual running of the Trust.

“At the Gibraltar end, for the past 20 years the Trust has benefited from the unstinting efforts of Charlie Tilbury who runs the office on the Rock while for many years Margaret North — a Gibraltarian living in London did stalwart service managing the Bayswater building.

The success of the project was immediate, and since its opening in 1989 Calpe House has been a temporary ‘home’ to more than 1,000 Gibraltarians sent to Britain for treatment in

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

charity projects London and nearby hospitals.

“We chose Bayswater originally because so many patients were being sent by the GHA to St Mary’s Hospital near St Pancras and to St. Thomas’s — both of which are within comfortable travelling distance of Calpe House,” Poggio explains.

“The most important aspect of Calpe House is less the accommodation than the therapy it provides,” says Poggio. “Gibraltarians are not used to being on their own — we’re an open friendly community — and at Calpe House the patients are with people they can relate to.

Sure, they’ll probably start off by discussing their illnesses or treatments… but that’s soon forgotten as they turn to parochial matters, mutual acquaintances — and politics,” he adds with a laugh.

Fortunately that early Gibraltarian generosity has not waned and as well as regular contributions to the trust — Westside School for instance is currently running fund-raising events from which Calpe House will benefit — the Red Cross and the GBC Open Day have each contributed ‘something more than £10,000’ which will go towards much needed replacements of furniture as general refurbishment of the ten flats, Poggio tells me.

“With the accommodation and facilities constantly in use there is a similarly constant need for maintenance, repairs and redecoration. We intend to provide at least one ground floor apartment which will be kitted out to help any handicapped patients.”

But Gibraltar’s ‘home from home’ for medical patients in London is no longer adequate to meet the demand and the Trust is considering selling the property in Bayswater and moving further out from the centre of London — anywhere within a five-mile radius of Victoria Station — where properties are cheaper and it should be possible to find a building that could be converted to more flatlets, but with better facilities such as en-suite bathrooms for each bedroom.

“We have started to look,” says Poggio.

“But if we find anywhere, we will probably need to turn to the government for a bridging loan... so that we can keep the present Calpe House up and running while we prepare the new one.” Poggio doesn’t say so, but he can be fairly certain that Gibraltar’s generously deep pockets will also be opened. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

The £600,000 raised by the joint contributions bought the five-storey house in Bayswater which was converted into 10 small two-bedroom flats

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Baileys Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Serves 8 For the base: 1/2 cup toasted pecan nuts, cooled and

crushed 2 cups chocolate Oreo cookies, crushed 1/4 cup caster sugar 6 tsp melted butter For the filling: 1 kg cream cheese 1.5 cups caster sugar 5 eggs 1 cup Baileys 1 tsp vanilla extract, or 2 vanilla pods,

halved and seeds scraped 1 cup chocolate chips Coffee cream topping: 1 cup chilled whipping cream 2 tbs butter 1 tsp instant coffee powder Chocolate to grate as a garnish

Festively Fabulous

by Fifty-Five Chef Scott Casey

It’s Christmas time and this month’s selection of recipes are perfect for your festive menus. Traditional Roast Turkey with a twist and the Glazed Gammon adds colour to a great seasonal dish, not forgetting the indulgent Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake to finish.

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To make the base, mix all the ingredients well together in a bowl and then push into a 10 inch spring form pan in the base and also one inch up the side. Bake at 170ºC for 7- 10 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.

For the filling beat the cream cheese in a bowl with an electric mixer, gradually adding the sugar and then the eggs 1 at a time, incorporating well in between each egg. Then add the Baileys and vanilla. Now sprinkle half the chocolate chips over the base and add the rest to the filling mix. Mix well. Then pour the filling over the base. Bake at 175ºC for 1 hour and then start checking every five minutes. It will be ready when you can gently shake the oven tray the cheesecake is on and the filling hardly moves. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

For the topping beat all the ingredients together well and spread evenly over the cheesecake once cooled. Set in the fridge over night before serving the next day.

Serve a nice wedge with some grated white or dark chocolate over top.

Delicious! n

Roast Turkey Breast wrapped in Sage & Smoked Bacon with Bread & Apricot Stuffing Serves 6 For the Turkey: 1 large turkey breast, skin removed

(note allow 200g for each person) 1 pack fresh sage, leaves picked and

stalks removed 2 packs smoked bacon rashes 1 roll butchers twine For the Stuffing: 1 loaf 3-4 day old sliced bread, crusts

removed 1 cup unsalted butter 1 cup minced brown onions 1 cup finely chopped dried apricots

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

food & drink mon when cooking 300ml cold water 2 brown onions, sliced roughly 22 whole cloves, 10 plus about

another 12 to stud the gammon 4 large fresh bay leaves The Glaze: 150g soft brown sugar 4 oranges, juice and zest of three

of them 3 tsp honey 3 tbs orange marmalade 3 tbs wholegrain mustard

1 cup finely chopped button mushrooms 1 tsp salt 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/5cup finely chopped celery, stalks and

leaves 100ml chicken stock (optional, depending

if you like a moist stuffing or a drier

version)

Place the gammon in a large heavy based pot and cover with water. Bring to the boil remove from the heat and then drain. Return the gammon to the pot and add the fresh orange juice and water, sliced onions and cloves.

Bring to the boil once again and then reduce heat to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook gently for 3 hours, checking regularly that it doesn’t need topping up with more water.

Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC. Remove the gammon from the liquid and place in a roasting tin. Peel off the skin leaving a thin layer of fat. Score the joint in a criss cross diamond fashion and stud each diamond with a clove.

Set aside whilst you construct the glaze. Simply combine all the ingredients for the glaze well and then spoon over the gammon. Roast for about 45 minutes, basting regularly with the glaze and roasting juices, until cooked and golden all over.

Set aside to rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with some apple sauce or compote and pickled red cabbage. n

Chef Scott Casey

Preheat the oven to 220ºC. For the stuffing, in a large pot melt the butter then add the onion celery and mushrooms. Cook over a medium heat until soft. Add the salt and pepper and set aside. Meanwhile, tear the bread up roughly and place in a food processor.

Turn into bread crumbs then add the onion mix. Add the finely chopped apricots and the chicken stock to make into a nice stuffing mix consistency. Set aside until ready to use.

Remove the bacon rashes from the packs and lay across a clean bench, over lapping each slice/rash by half 2mm. Butterfly the turkey breast and spoon in the stuffing mix, evenly across the middle. Fold the other flap of the turkey breast over to make a circular cylinder. Now place 10 pieces of the butchers twine out on another area of the bench, about half a centimetre apart.

Wrap the bacon rashes around the turkey cylinder and lift onto the twine. Tie these as tight as possible and place into a baking tin.

Add 200ml of chicken stock in the tray with the turkey and roast for 1 and a half hours, or until cooked. Check by piercing the breast with a skewer and the juices should run clear.

Rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serves with your favourite festive accompaniants and enjoy. n

Honey and Marmalade Glazed Gammon Serves 8-10 For the Gammon: 6kg joint of gammon Fresh orange juice, enough to cover the gam-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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food & drink As is now traditional, Waterfront Restaurant will once again be organising their Christmas Market, at Queensway Quay Marina.

This event proved extremely popular last year, and with all the stalls now booked, it looks like it is going to be a great day for all the family once again this year.

The Christmas Market will take place on Tuesday 6th December, and will include lots of stalls with great Christmas ideas, selling arts

Waterfront Christmas

Market

and crafts from local artists and craft makers, such as the Gibraltar Arts and Crafts Association.

Starting as from 5pm till late, there will also be a Charity Prize Grand Tombola for you to try your luck, as well as a children’s activity and crafts making area for the little ones as

Party Time at Cafe Rojo

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well.

With performances from the Gibraltar National Choir, fun food and games, it is no wonder that even Santa Clause has made a space in his extremely busy schedule, to pay a visit during the afternoon.

Join in the festive fun for all the family! n

Two of the many party tables at Cafe Rojo this month were Patsy’s 60th birthday (below) and Stephanie’s birthday (below left). Thanks Annette for sending in the pics!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEmBER 2011

Venetian Masquerade Dinner 55 invites you to celebrate in style at our New Year’s Eve Venetian Masquerade Dinner. Bring in 2012 with an exquisite and extravagant evening in the splendour of 55.

Dress to impress for this glamorous occasion, masks can be as extravagant as you wish...

A warm welcome awaits you with our red carpet where you will be escorted to the bar where a Harry’s Bar Bellini and canapés await. This is followed by an exquisite dinner in the restaurant and then you will make your way down to the Main Bar to welcome in 2012.

Gala Dinner £75 (£85 Non Members)

Bar Only £25

(£35 Non Members)

Arrival from 7 p.m.

(Non Members must be over 25)

Gala Dinner Menu On Arrival: Harry’s Bar Bellinis with Celebratory Canapes Starters: Seafood Trio of Queen Scallop Thermidor, Smoked Trout Mousse and Handpicked Crab Tian Curried cauliflower and creamed leek, charred brioche, avocado and chilli salsa Argentinean Fillet of Beef Carpaccio Dill pickle and flat leaf parsley salad, soft poached Quails eggs, wholegrain mustard, shaved Grana Padana Goats Cheese and Basil Soufflé Exotic mushroom trio, peppered asparagus, parmesan and French Brie melt Palate Cleansing Sorbet Mains: Lobster and Chive Crusted Sea Bass Fillet Truffle whipped potato puree, mange tout, confit vine tomatoes, Mussel and Saffron broth Slow Roast Rack of New Zealand Lamb Duck fat fondant, steamed broccolini, pimentos, rosemary and Rioja jus Homemade Butternut Squash and Pine Nut Ravioli Winter vegetable ragout, burnt sage butter, ricotta stuffed courgette flower, citrus olive tapenade Palate Cleansing Sorbet Desserts: Individual Swiss Chocolate and Beetroot Tartlet Grand Marnier mascarpone, cinnamon tuiles, orange sherbet The Classic Homemade Individual Tiramisu Amaretto soaked sponge fingers, Frangelico mascarpone Selected Italian Cheese Plate Truffle and black pepper honey, grissini, seeded grapes, Port and Plum paste Espresso Martini Shot

55 Private Members Club 267 Main Street Gibraltar

+350 200 79655

for more information please visit fifty-five.gi/nye or call +350 200 79655

restaurants l Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449 Modern Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square. Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard. No smoking inside.

Free WiFi. l Cafe Rojo 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738 Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee.

Brunch menu (10am-12pm) includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious desserts (chocolate mousse in a must).

Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner 7-10pm includes Roast Pumpkin, Mushroom, & Spinach Curry; Marinated Tuna Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; pasta dishes such as Langoustine, Lime & Coconut; Pear, Walnut & Blue Cheese; and Creamy Mixed Seafood; and salads such as Warm Goats’ Cheese, Fresh Spinach & Chargrilled Aubergine; and Roast Duck, Chorizo & Pancetta Salad.

Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and Saturday lunch.

Casa Pepe 18 Queensway Quay Marina.

Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com Casa Pepe is a delightful bar/ restaurant in the prestigious Queensway Quay Marina. A wonderful location for business meetings, engagements, weddings, anniversaries etc. Specialising in a broad range of raciones (plates to share) with a very comprehensive a la carte menu. Daily specials may include fresh fish caught locally and a selection of Argentinean beef. With a menu including dishes such as Caracoles a la Llauna Snails, Rabo de Toro Oxtail, Carrillada de Cerro Iberico Iberico pork cheeks, large rib steaks from Avila and special to order whole suckling pig.

Open: Monday-Friday: lunch and evening meal, Saturday: evenings only, Sunday: lunch only.

Fifty-Five Private Member’s Club 267 Main Street Tel: 200 79655

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Savannah Lounge 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 www.savannah.gi Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, Savannah has been created with fun and style in mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good music. The venue hosts regular events with invited DJs and shows from abroad.

Open: Sunday-Thurs midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

Solo Bar & Grill Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828 Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery — perfect for business functions or lunches — and part of the popular Cafe Solo stable. Serving everything from Goats’ Cheese Salad, Mediterranean Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Beer Battered John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, and Chargrilled Sirloin Steak. This is a delightful venue in Europort with a cosy mezzanine level and terrace seating. Well worth a visit, or two!

Open: 12-8pm. Available for private functions and corporate events — call 200 62828 Gibraltar’s premier Private Member’s Club to book your function or event. where members can enjoy fine dining and impeccable service in luxurious surroundThe Waterfront ings. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Queensway Quay Marina Saturday also offering a daily Business Lunch Tel: 200 45666 menu. Once a month 55 opens for traditional www.gibwaterfront.com Sunday lunch and holds a variety of culinary The Waterfront, established for over 16 years, themed evenings i.e. Thai/Japanese Fusion. is situated on the quayside at Queensway The main bar offers a full bar snack menu Quay Marina; the epitome of peace and and is the perfect place after a long day at tranquillity. Open seven days a week from work. On Thursday and Fridays you can 9am until late the restaurant offers everything relax to the mix of Soul & ’80s music by 55’s from a cup of tea or coffee right through resident DJ, take advantage of Happy Hour to three course meals with Champagne! A and enjoy the sushi menu from 6pm. Special comprehensive bar snack menu is available occasions or important business clients can all day from 10.15am; the a la carte menu be entertained in the Private Dining Room from midday through to 10.30pm, featuring (up to 10 people). Afternoon tea Thursday to daily specials. The barbecue grill is open Saturday -6pm. For info on membership or to daily from 7pm offering sumptuous steaks, make a reservation for lunch or dinner so you aged in-house, and fabulous fish including can enjoy the 55 experience contact Louise by dorada and sea bass. A delicious array of phone or email louise@fifty-five.gi desserts and ice creams are also available.

Boasting extensive terraces the restaurant Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace provides the ideal location for summer ‘al Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay fresco’ dining and drinking with stunning For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 sunsets. Also catering for large party bookE-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi ings including weddings, holy communions, Overlooking the Mediterranean from Catalan birthdays etc the Waterfront is the ideal venue Bay, Nunos’ Spanish chef with Three Star for any occasion.

Michellin experience offers a variety of Italian cuisine. The restaurant has now moved from its location on the lower floors and can now be found at the reception level of the hotel. informaleating A quick peak at the menu reveals the chef’s celebrated Salmorejo is on the menu, as are his baby squid burgers (Insalata di Calamari). Amin's The Office From the main dishes you can choose from a 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932 variety of fresh fish and meat dishes. Or you Sit down, informal and friendly restaurant. could go for the house speciality of fresh, Amin is well known in Gibraltar for his home-made pasta where you can choose from Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisine. a wide range of options. Open: Monday to Open early for breakfast at 7am right through Saturday 19.30 to 22.30 and lunchtimes for the day. Try the Moroccan soups, couscous, lamb tagines and kebabs. group bookings.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Open: 7.00am to midnight.

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

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 11am4.30pm FusionDeli 11 Cooperage Lane (by BHS) Tel: 200 63940 FusionDeli is a great little takeaway which specialises in delicious and freshly cooked Malaysian food plus some old farvourites.

It is innovative, tasty and affordable and all served in the iconic noodle box. Breakfast of giant toast, bagels or croissant. Lunches of Malaysian curries, noodles with various sauces and veg, chicken, beef or prawns. Old favs of salads, egg fried rice, wanton chips, and chippy curry sauce. Plus a variety of wraps, pitta breads and baps (with curry, barbecue pork or chicken, or beef steak).

And don't forget the cakes and pudding plus coffees and soft drinks. Well worth a visit.

Open: 11am-4.30pm Get Stuffed Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food.

Serving all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, pasta, pies, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day. Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat. Just A Nibble 1st Flr ICC Tel: 200 78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and snacks. Meals include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli con carne, and a great new range of pies (from Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole range of tasty alternatives) plus all the old favourites; jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials.

Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014 Bright and airy, recently redecorated cafe on the first floor of the ICC. All home-made food including daily specials, vegetarian options and desserts. Eat in or take-away. Try their daily roast with everything on or their allday breakfast. Non-smoking restaurant with terrace smoking area. Friendly, cheerful and fully licensed with sensible prices.

Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Mumbai Curry House Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Traditional well-stablished British fish and chip shop, located on Main Street opposite the Convent, with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. The menu includes old favourites cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers.

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

Solo Express Grnd Flr, International Commercial Centre & Eurotowers Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes (white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or hummous, avocado and roasted red pepper. The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta, etc and are great value.

Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes (such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout the day. Eat-in available.

Soups in winter. Free Wifi.

Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do piaza... in fact all you would expect from an Indian cuisine take-away.

Large vegetarian selection. Halal food is available, as is outside catering for parties and meetings. Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Dosa and Choley The Tasty Bite Bhature.

Open: 7 days a week 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 59a Irish Town.

Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 late.

Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, Munchies Cafe 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of! Try the 42390 A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an quiches, tortillas and jackets spuds with all unusual range of sandwiches on white or kinds of fillings. This little place gets busy granary bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, with those popping out from the offices for desserts, homemade ice-cream and hot/cold lunch so get there early. drinks. Business lunches, parties and kids Open: Monday - Saturday. parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minimum 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. l Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625 Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee,

Verdi Verdi Unit G10, ICC, Casemates (behind taxis).

Tel: 200 60733 Verdi Verdi offers morning and afternoon coffee as well as all home-made and delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh homebaked bread and desserts. A wide selection of freshly made sandwiches and baguettes to eat in or take away. Try the light and fluffy homemade pizzas, or the falafels.

Daily specials soups are fabulous and filling. Delicious coffees. Ask for Idan's hot homemade chilli relish — sweet and scrummy. Free WiFi. Open: Mon & Thurs: 7.30am - 6pm, Friday 7.30am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 3pm. Saturday closed.

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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.

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.

Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to represent Nelson’s ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace Starter s& snacks include fresh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, Lordy’s potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con carne and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips. Try one of the salads or Nelson’s platters. Jacket potatoes, The Final Whistle burgers and children’s menu. Credit cards ac4, Cornwall’s Parade Friendly sports bar with six screens. If it’s live, cepted. Live music Venue of the Year, with live it’s on, and often more than one game on at a music on stage every night. Free Wifi. Open: time for full sports coverage. Fun atmosphere from 10am till very late. with special offers during premier matches. All The Lounge sports fans welcome.

Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 Open 10am until late, 7 days a week.

Stylish lounge bar right on the quayside at Queensway Quay with very reasonably priced The Gibraltar Arms drinks and light bites from 10am until late.

184 Main St. Tel: 200 72133 Free WiFi, popular quizzes on Sundays (from www.gibraltararms.gi Good food served all day at this typical pub 7.30pm) and a relaxed friendly atmosphere... right on Main Street. Everything from all day always plenty of people / yachties to chat to. breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and Events (matches etc) covered on large screen the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, TV. Great place to chill out. Open: 10am from bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Ter- Monday to Saturday until late and from 12pm race seating right on Main Street to watch the on Sundays (get there early if you want a seat world go by. Open: from 8am (10am Sundays) for the quiz). until late.

O’Reilly’s Leisure Island, Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888 Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports cover10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 age and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from www.lordnelson.gi 9am). Guinness on draught. Food includes salE-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi

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ads, jackets, beef and Guinness ale pie, Molly’s mussels, drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato pancake wrapped around delicioius fillings), sandwiches, rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

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 (see ad for details).

Open: Sunday-Thurs midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this small cosy bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal). Lunch/evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Home of Med Golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters club. Outside seating.

Open: from 7am every day. Located: first right off Main St (walking from N to S).

The Three Owls Irish Town. Tel: 200 77446 The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ground floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily. First floor ‘Hoots’ bar, two match pool tables, poker machines, dartboard, bar, open from 5pm daily.

Second Floor the ‘Nest’ — American pool table, poker machine, card table, bar — open from 7pm daily and also at weekends for the Rugby Union matches. If you are looking for a sociable game of pool or darts this is the place to be.

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast. Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Supporter’s Club.

Open: from 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 1am Friday, and from 11am - 1am Saturdays.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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

Visit us and step back in history

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

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

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

GLMS Music Venue of the Year.

Official Home to Gibraltar Rugby Club Free WiFi

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

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

DAILY SPECIALS Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449

SMITH’S

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

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

restaurant bar guide &

295 MAIN ST Tel: 200 74254

Get Stuffed!

Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006 Take-Away, Sandwiches & Hot Food Different Special 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

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924 GIBRALTARMAGAZINE MAGAZINE••DECEMBER DECEMBER2011 2011 GIBRALTAR

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

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The essential (wine) guide to Christmas The joyous time of year is here again, as you may have noticed. It appears that some people actually enjoy thinking of what to buy for presents, then shopping for them, wrapping them up, receiving a pair of socks in return, listening to that ghastly Slade song, eating dry turkey, and watching children squabble, cry and make other loud noises. If you are such a person, read no further. For those who wish to get through this joyous time without committing a criminal offence I offer the following guidance.

1

Presents Forget socks, scarves and scent.

These only get put in the draw for recycling next year. My brother and I swapped the same socks for about ten years until we called a truce. Now we agree on finding a good bottle costing under £20 to give each other. The skill lies in finding one that he thinks is better than it actually is (and he tries to do the same for me).

For your brother (or possibly

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sister), I suggest a Muga at about £15 from all suppliers (Saccone & Speed have one at £16.90 which is a treat). Bottles for other relatives and friends are generally a better idea than yet another bar of soap — and you may get to enjoy some of the contents.

Children of any age should be given a bottle for laying down; they will appreciate your forethought in later years much more than a toy now.

2

Shopping This is a very pleasurable experience if buying bottles for all and sundry. There may even be an opportunity to taste a few — just to make sure, of course, that they are suitable for your friends and relations. It may be necessary to try a varied range. This is a great improvement on gazing at an array of gifts and finally choosing various items which you would not normally buy at a cost greater

than you would normally pay.

You then find yourself standing in a queue at the cash desk behind other shoppers to whom it apparently comes as surprise that payment is necessary because only when the total is requested do they start searching for the money or other means to pay. Then they have not got quite enough, so there is a long debate about which item should be left out. At this stage only a glass of wine can help.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

wine column So it will still be necessary to go to few sips of it down the children it the wine shop. might send them to sleep.

3

Present wrapping Once again, this is a pleasure if it is a bottle. You just roll it up inside the paper and attach sticky tape as necessary. A ribbon, if required, is easy to tie around the neck for an extra touch. Compare this with the struggle of wrapping, say, a piece of clothing or even a book.

The clothing is squashy and will not allow sticky tape to be applied; without fail the amount of paper cut will be too large for the book.

Some shops offer a gift wrapping service but this is cheating and anyone receiving the present will know that you did not wrap it yourself because it has been so perfectly done. Ideally, the gift wrapping service should provide a ‘sloppy’ level, with creased paper, irregular folds and sticky tape covering all the parcel except the ends: this would more accurately reflect my own skill at wrapping and might persuade the recipient that I had done it myself.

5

Turkey Don’t, with or without the trimmings. It is difficult to find a wine which works with the insipid dry taste. If you are obliged to have turkey, then drink a heavy wine such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Anglo-Hispano have a decent one at £11.50). This will at least anaesthetise your taste buds from other influences. A full fillet of beef, complemented by a proper claret (Anglo-Hispano have a Chateau St Georges at £20) is the best way to celebrate and does not require getting up at crack of dawn in order to put the thing in the oven.

6

After the celebrations comes the clearing up Assuming you are sensible enough to have given and received only bottles this is a quick and easy operation. Otherwise it can cast a pall over the whole exercise. You discover stains where there ought not to be stains; the unspeakable remains of what the All the trimmings children have been doing; and a Why is it only turkey at Christ- depression that can last for some mas which comes on menus ‘with time. all the trimmings’? Trimmings are waste clippings from material The only answer, therefore, is used to make curtains and such. to plan in advance which bottles I suppose the tired sausage, burnt to give to whom and which ones bacon and frozen cranberry sauce should be drunk at the various can properly be described as waste junctures. That will ensure a material, but that may not be the happy Christmas. n intention.

Besides this, the festive season means those same tired songs blaring out of all loudspeakers; realising that you have forgotten to send cards to various people who will resent the fact; trying to make the lights on the tree work, and saying, through gritted teeth: ‘The children do love it and we do it all for them’.

While I have no objection to the children loving it, why can’t the little b*****s go and love it somewhere else? And if they must love it when with me, could they at least keep their expressions of joy at a more muted level?

Inevitably, the over-excitement leads to tears of one sort or another so it is not clear that they are still loving it. The only safe retreat is a good bottle — and if you can get a

4

Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

Grand Casemates Square Tel: 200

44449 for reservations

Saturday Chill Out with DJ Eric from 7pm

If you are obliged to have turkey, then drink a heavy wine such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

93

A ro u n d To w n It is December and just when we would normally all be rushing around taking about Christmas and festive things, instead election talk is reaching fever pitch with our General Election called for Thursday 8th December.

If you fancy something a bit more relaxing on a Saturday early in December pop along to the St Andrew’s Church between 10am and 2pm for the Craft and Collector’s Fair. The perfect place to pick up handcrafted and unusual Christmas gifts.

Good news for our singers this month... Under the leadership of musical director Christian Santos, the Santos Productions Choir (see pic top right of them arriving back in Gibraltar) competed at the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition — MACC 2011 — at the end of November. This was the first time the local choir has taken part in this competition, held at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music. A total of 12 choirs took part, and our local youngsters not only came second in the Youth Choirs section, but were also the only choir in the competition to receive a standing ovation from the audience! Christian was also given the organisers choice award for his work as musical director. Well done to everyone involved!

Need a little music to get you in the Christmas spirit? Pop along to the Holy Trinity Cathedral on 25th December at 7pm to listen to the Gibraltar National Choir’s Carols by Candlelight. Tickets are available from the Arts & Crafts Shop in Casemates Square and are priced at £10.00.

For the kids Santa’s Grotto is a must, and you can pop along on 9-11th and 16th-18th at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre from 6-8pm. Ho ho ho!

And now for a very, very special happy birthday wish. Elizabeth Pizarro Malin, fondly known as Baby, will be celebrating her 100th birthday, on the 20th December. Here (bottom right) she is pictured with her beloved daughter, Ubi. Many happy returns, from all at the Gibraltar Magazine Baby! Doesn’t she look amazing?

Other birthdays this month include Alistair Locke of Cafe Solo and Christina Williams of Barclays on 12th December, youth worker Rebecca

This page: Hallowe’en fun photos by David Rodriguez

94 94

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

The Santos Productions Choir returns to Gibraltar victorious

Figueras on 17th, make-up artist Deepak Ramchandani of Seruyas on 21st, Bianca Yeo of Quad Consultants on 23rd, Ludovic Leroy of Newton Systems on 27th, Gibraltar Radio’s Jonathan Scott on 30th and, last but not least, photographer Jayden Fa on 31st December. Many happy returns to them and to everyone celebrating a special event in this month of special events!

Don’t forget to enter our Face of Gibraltar competition (see page 57). Anyone can enter and you can enter yourself or your loved one’s picture for consideration. We’ll be choosing the Face of Gibraltar male and female winner to publish in our March 2012 edition so get snapping and send ’em in!

Well that’s it until after Christmas. Some of you hardy chaps will be taking the plunge in one of the two Polar Bear swims on Boxing Day (see page 46) — we’ve had a discussion in the office and decided to enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies while watching this year! See you all for the New Year’s celebrations. A happy and prosperous 2012 to one and all...

Arts and Crafts members, Sabrina, Lili and their children, modelling some of the lovely articles which will be available at the Waterfront Christmas Market Baby and daughter Ubi

Happy birthday to Michelle of the Lounge who celebrated her birthday with friends at Cafe Rojo GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Photos: ’80s revival night at Salsa Fuego in aid of GBC Open Day

95 95

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

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

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

Exhibition Vin’s Gallery at the Rock, The Rock Hotel. Original paintings, prints, and souvenirs

by Vin Mifsud and her pupils. Monday - Saturday 9.30-11am and 8-10pm.

The Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society Affiliated to the UK NADFAS organisation meets third Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm at Eliott Hotel - lecturers & experts from the UK to talk on Art etc. Contact: ChairmanClaus Olesen: 200 02024 claus.olesen@sghambros. com. Membership Ian leBreton: 200 76173 ilebreton@SovereignGroup.com Knit and Natter Group: Tuesdays from 11am3pm, at Arts & Crafts Shop, Casemates balconyFree to join and refreshments provided. Tel: 20073865 for more information.

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet at the Rock Hotel on Mondays at 3pm. For further information please ring Vin at 20073660 or Roy at 20075995. All welcome.

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 - 11pm.

Dance Adult Dance Classes Wednesday evenings at the Youth Disco Room, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Cha-Cha, Salsa and Merengue. Lessons £5 and all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or dance@trainingtm.net 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.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Flexibility, Hip Hop & Dance Theatre classes held weekly at Urban Dance Studio for Performing Arts, No. 2 Jumpers Bastion. Contact Yalta (54012212) or Jolene (54015125).

History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Tuesday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

New singers always welcome. Tel: 54831000.

St Andrew’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting

96

Don’t be bored... do something fun! self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road. Tel: 200 59818 Quizzes 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 7.30pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners’ Club www.hdcgib. com UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Creative Writers Group meet every Tuesday at the Eliott Hotel bar at 8pm. The workshop is run

by Carla, Tel: 54006696 and is aimed at learning to write fiction and non-fiction, for pleasure or publication. Each session is £5.00.

Sports Supporters Clubs 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. 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).

Cheerleading: Gibraltar Rockettes Cheerleading Club. Classes for girls aged 3+. Contact Gina: 58008338.

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/ Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training. Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.

Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages October-May. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly. Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates. Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front.

Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: 200 41795 or 200 41874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 200 70929.

Pilates: Monday & Wednesday 11-12am for beginners, and intermediate classes Monday & Wednesday 9:30-10:45am, at Shotokai Karate Centre. Contact Chantal: 60618882 or 60624275.

Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season. Tel: Linda 200 74753.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards, weekday evenings. For more information contact Sally Tel: 200 74661.

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

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

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

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding.

Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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 & ESF). Adult/junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs.

Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah’s Dive Club Tel: Leslie 200 79601, 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944. Commercial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8.45am, 12- 4pm, 8- 9pm. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Lizanne 200 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: 200 Mari 44142.

Tai Chi: Children’s fun Tai Chi at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range, Saturdays 11-12am. Beginners Tuesdays & Thursdays at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre. 6.30-8pm. Adults £5, Children £2, all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or rocktaichi@traningtm.net Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: Ten-Pin Bowling takes place at King’s Bowl in the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre every day. To have a go call 200 77338 to reserve your lane. Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Contact Charly on 56014000 or Paul on 54029749.

Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847.

Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, competitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-mail: gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

events Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues & Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support for single, separated, divorced/widowed people, meet 8pm Mon at St Andrew’s Church.

Mummy and Me Breastfeeding Support Group for mums who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breastfed to get together for coffee, chat and support.

Partners and older children welcome. Meets first Wednesday of every month at Chilton Court Community Hall at 1.30pm. Enquiries and support 54014517.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 6pm - 10pm.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@cab.gi or visit 10 Governor’s Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge. Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard’s Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month. Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@ hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meet alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For info Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8 Serfaty’s Passage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www. gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group for compulsive overeating problems. Tel: helpline for meetings info 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren. Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Meet Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and ex-Service personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481. E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi With Dignity Gibraltar support for separated, divorced/ widowed or single people. Meet Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities.

Tel: 54007181 or 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hrs).

Religious Services Baha’i Faith Tel: 200 73287 www.gibnet. com/bahai email:bahai@gibraltar.gi Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 200 52002. Queensway. Sunday service 11am.

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Tel: 200 78377. Sung Eucharist, Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day

Petanque Tournament Winners The final ranking tournaments in both the women’s and men’s sections have been completed, and the player rankings for 2011 have been decided.

In the women’s section, the final was won by Elizabeth Dalli who got the better of Pat Edmundson winning by two games to nil.

After taking into account the results of all ranking tournaments for the year, in 2011 the women’s top position was Marie Paz Santos.

In the men’s section, the final pitted the President, Mario Victory, against the Secretary, John Dalli. Although John triumphed by two games to nil, Mario’s appearance in the final meant he obtained enough points to retain his lead in the rankings ending up as the No.1 ranked

player for 2011.

The National Week competition was for mixed triples, with draws held to establish the various teams. The teams were divided into two groups with the eventual group winners contesting the final.

The final was won by the team made up of Conchi Serrano, Eric Rowbottom, and Manolo Baglietto. Congratulations to all the winners and participants of these exciting tournaments, organised by the Gibraltar Petanque Association. n Ranked No.1 Marie Paz Santos

Final Winner John Dalli

Final Winner Elizabeth Dalli

Cowburn 29 pts.

Winner of Category 2 (1321 handicap) was Russell Blesset 28 pts, runner up Louis Calvente 26 pts.

Winner of 3rd category (22-36 handicap) Ann Hillerton 33 pts; runner up Darren Vincent 31 pts.

The Barclays Wealth Trophy

tournament day was sunny & clear.

The new 2011 – 2012 Med Golf season is now well underway, the second event of the season was recently staged at Dehesa Montenmedio Golf Club.

The skies cleared and

It was a good early season start for Steve McEwan. Steve won the Barclays Wealth Trophy and a pro shop voucher for 100 euro with an overall score of 35 pts.

Saints Suite 21a Don House, 30-38 Main Street. Tel: 200 50433. Sundays 10am.

Church of Scotland St Andrew’s, Governor’s Pde. Tel: 200 77040. Worship & Sunday School 10.30am. Bible Study Tues 7.30pm.

Evangelical Bretheren Assembly, Queensway Quay. Sun 11am, Tues Bible Study 6pm, Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer’s Lane Tel: 200 42515.

Jehovah’s Witness 6 Europort Avenue

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

Ranked No.1 Mario Victory

National Day Winners

Med Golf always rewards results for golfers of all levels and so we have 3 categories for players to compete in.

Winner of Category 1 (0-12 handicap) was Peter Warren 33 pts (also best gross score 80 shots).

The runner up was Mike

Tel: 200 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 200 72606.

Methodist 297 Main St Tel/Fax 200 40870 email minister@methodist.org.gi Minister: Revd Fidel Patron. Sunday 11am Morning Worship, 8pm Evening Service. Prayer meetings Monday+ Wednesday to Friday 7pm and Tuesdays 8pm. Communion celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings of the month, and other special occasions.

The best 2 ball combined points prize went to Steve Munns/teve McEwan with 68 Stableford points.

For info visit www. teetimespain.com or contact Johnathan on mobile 56001055 or by e-mail at jg@medgolf.gi

Alpha Course: held Thursdays 8pm.

House Groups meet for Christian fellowship, prayer and study on a regular basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Sunday School meets Sunday mornings alongside morning worship.

Roman Catholic Cathedral St Mary the Crowned, 215 Main St Tel: 200 76688.

The Cityline Church 13 Castle St Tel: 200 75755 email: citylinegib@yahoo. com. Meet: Tues 8pm, Sundays 11am.

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information

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he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered of great conservational value. It’s the perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa. Botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds. Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking.

Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free with Nature Reserve ticket. Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. Narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a unique sandwich of armour plate/ teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’.

Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

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.

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.

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!

Useful Numbers

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to anyone who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. Sgt. Major Ince suggested tunnelling and there are over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside.

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one of the earliest British building on the Rock.

Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-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.

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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.

Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance.........................Tel: 190 Police................................. Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number.................Tel: 112 Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station....... Tel: 200 75728 Police............................. Tel: 200 72500 Emergency Nos: Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

GibiBikes Locations • Frontier • Victoria Stadium • Waterport Road (Watergardens) • Waterport Road (Waterport Terraces) • Eurotowers • Reclamation Road (Leisure Centre) • Commonwealth Parade Car Park • Rosia Road (Jumpers building) • Rosia Road (Bayview Terraces) • Grand Parade Car Park (Cable Car) • Southport Gates (Ince’s Hall) • Line Wall Road (City Hall) • Line Wall Road (Orange Bastion) • Market Place • Eastern Beach Road (coming soon) • Catalan Bay (viewing platform) • St Joseph’s School • Europa Point • Rosia Parade

www.gibibikes.gi

Bus Routes & Timetables

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Rd, 9am - 7pm daily (free).

Business Information

Financial Serv. Commission Tel: 200 40283/4 Chamber of Commerce. . . . Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business . Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry. . . . . . . . Tel: 200 78193 Airport (general info.) . . . . . Tel: 200 73026 Hospital, St Bernards . . . . . Tel: 200 79700 Weather information. . . . . . . . . Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update. . . . Tel: 200 42777 Gibraltar Museum Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane open 10am-6pm (Sat. 10am-2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Exhibitions also at Casemates gallery.

Registry Office Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road. Gibibikes is a scheme for public use of bikes taken from stations around the Rock. Visit www.gibibikes.gi for info.

Public Holidays 2012

Gibraltar & United Kingdom New Year’s Day Monday 2nd January (in lieu of Sunday 1st January) Commonwealth Day Monday 12th March* Good Friday Friday 6th April Easter Monday Monday 9th April May Day Monday 7th May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 4th June Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tuesday 5th June Queen’s Birthday Monday 18th June Late Summer BH Monday 27th August Gib National Day Monday 10th September* Christmas Day Tuesday 25th December Boxing Day Wednesday 26th December *Gibraltar only

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar.

Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

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atural History & Heritage Park admission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle). Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Adults £10, children 5-12 years: £5, children age under 4 free, vehicles £2. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times, tours available by taxi/mini bus. Also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm MonSun. Last cable down: 5.45pm). 50p per person to walk with no entrance tickets.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2011

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