The Gibraltar Magazine - May 2011

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

g

ibraltar the

May 2011 Vol. 16 No. 07 FREE

Johnny’s Story

Restaurateur in the Ivy League

Events & the Best Laid Plans

Tax: Are Benefits Beneficial?

Blades on the Rock

How to be Invincible

The Best of Bass & much more...

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007

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TRUST TAKES PATIENCE. REWARD TAKES TRUST. Whatever or wherever the challenge, we can provide the solutions.

In an ever-changing world, new challenges frequently arise in our personal lives and in the corporate and commercial world. Whether it’s advice, structures, planning or strategies that need resolution, Hassans has the expertise to meet clients’ exacting requirements. Our diversity means we are adaptable and flexible. We are innovative, cosmopolitan, multi-lingual and above all client focused.

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take a look... what’s inside

arts & lifestyle

features

62 63 64 66 69 72 78 84

A Restaurateur in the Ivy League € Glen Diani: Best of Bass Johnny’s Life through the Lens

business & finance 8 9 14 16 18 20 21 24 26

Business & Finance Guide Events and the Best Laid Plans € Belly Dancing and Union Lobbying The Network Benefits

32 34 36 37 38

40 60 74

HR Clinic: Your Questions Answered Belilos Celebrates 25 Years Shahid Azeem: Football, IT & Wobbles How to be Invincible

property files

32-39

Hot Topics Market Review Property Directory Taking the Inside Out Construction File

food & drink

80-89

80 Life’s a Beach at O’Reilly’s 82 Food Fusion 85-88 Restaurant & Bar Guide 89 Wine: Mayflower Lunch

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

health & medical 50 53 54 56

8 Years of Changing Lives Fashion: If The Shoe Fits Planes, Yachts and Automobiles A Lifetime in the Theatre € In Focus: Photography Winners RifCom: Bridge Between Continents Surianne: For the Love of Music Spring Festival

history & heritage

Are Benefits Still Beneficial

48-57

Expansion for Mills & Mills Caring Past & Present Families Anonymous Cross Volunteers

regulars 68 Puzzle Page 90-91Around Town

information

70-71 94

City Centre Map Gibraltar Information

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

28 42 44

It Happened in Gibraltar The Boy with One Shoe Queen of the East’s Gibraltar Farewell €

gibraltar the

May 2011 Vol. 16 No. 07 FREE

Johnny’s Story

Restaurateur in the Ivy League

Events & the Best Laid Plans

Tax: Are Benefits Beneficial?

Blades on the Rock

How to be Invincible

The Best of Bass & much more...

Photo by Jamie Hunter. The Blades will be performing in Gibraltar on 21st and 22nd May.

Vol. 16 No. 07 MAY 2011

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• MAY MAY 2011 2011 GIBRALTAR

business & finance

Events – and how they derail even the best laid plans

by Ian Le Breton

Imagine you play a leading role in public life — let’s say the government minister in charge of finance.

What an influential person you would be. Such individuals are likely to be overworked at the best of times. But these are not the best of times. In many ways these are the worst economic times I have ever witnessed — and I am almost 50! Of course, people of my parents’ generation will have endured far worse, but in the context of world war that is hardly a fair comparison.

So there you are, in charge of the nation’s finances. You are trying to steer a steady course down the economic road ahead, mainly by attempting to balance income against expenditure. In order to explain her financial priorities, Margaret Thatcher used a famous analogy of a housewife budgeting. It was an attempt to make us believe that even governments have to work on the same basis as the rest of us.

For those of us who work for a salary in the knowledge that a pay cheque will be forthcoming at the end of the month, such budgeting, whilst never easy, does at least provide a fairly accurate idea of the amount likely to be received.

Similarly the majority of the outgoings will be fixed and therefore, once again, will be more or less a known quantity. All very straightforward.

Back to the fantasy where instead of managing the household budget, it’s the whole economy for which you are responsible. Some of the figures will be relatively stable or at least quantifiable. But then something happens

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

— unexpected, unplanned for and, quite possibly, unwelcome. Put another way — your carefully thought out economic plan could be derailed by events.

When he was asked what represented the greatest challenge for a statesman, Harold Macmillan replied: “Events, my dear boy, events.”

How appropriate such a phrase would have been to financial planners in the first few weeks of 2011. In the space of just a couple of months, we have seen unrest or revolution in several places, natural disasters and even the spectre of radiation leaks in Japan.

When he was asked what represented the greatest challenge for a statesman, Harold Macmillan replied: “Events, my dear boy, events”

When we first heard of the challenges to the ancien régime in Tunisia, perhaps we thought it was to be an isolated phenomenon. Then came Egypt and the end of 30-years of Mubarak rule.

After that, trouble flared in Bahrain, Syria and Yemen. And who could have foreseen a few months ago that the UN would sanction military action in Libya. But what comes next? What if the population rose up in the richest state of all — Saudi Arabia? The implications of sudden shock rises in the oil price or threats to supply should not be under-estimated.

In the Far East, no-one will forget the horrific scenes as the giant tsunami wave swept across vast areas of Japan following the strong offshore earthquake. The resulting problems at the nuclear facility at Fukushima added to the sense of hopelessness felt across the world.

The ramifications of the nuclear problem reverberated around the world. German voters in the vital Baden-Wuerttemberg region took the opportunity to vote for the Greens in larger numbers than ever before. Politically,

business & finance Chancellor Merkel was clearly damaged; some commentators now forecast a further decline in her fortunes the next time Germans are asked to vote. This loss was ever more troublesome for the ruling party coming as it did in one of the most prosperous regions of the country, home to Porsche and Daimler amongst others. This is important given Germany’s leading role within the EU and the implications for the embattled Eurozone.

And talking of the Eurozone, from the British perspective, this is perhaps one of the better examples of how events can derail plans. The 12-month-old coalition government has initiated a swingeing range of cuts across the public sector at the same time as increasing taxation. The numbers are mind-boggling as I have set out in this column in the past. The latest estimate is that the annual deficit — the amount we spend less the amount received by the Exchequer is set to be around £140bn this year — that’s £140,000,000,000! And then what happens?

No less than three Eurozone countries — first Greece, then Ireland and now Portugal have been forced to accept financial assistance from the EU emergency funding facility.

But hang on. What does this have to do with Britain? It’s not even in the Eurozone so why should it get involved and why should it be required to assist? The previous government signed up to that, although when the permanent facility is renewed in 2013, the UK’s direct role will be considerably lessened. In the case of Portugal’s rescue, Britain is to guarantee the loan to the extent of £7bn. As Foreign Secretary William Hague was at pains to point out at the time, this is known as a “contingent liability” — a bit like when you guarantee the bank who is lending to your child so they can buy their first car. Britain will not be asked to make any actual payments unless Portugal defaults — in itself a very unlikely scenario. But who can say

what may be around the corner?

So let’s turn to Gibraltar. Here, our Finance Minister manages the economy of Gibraltar as a whole, but he or she is powerless to control interest rates, and by extension the exchange rate. Regular readers will know I am always writing about the pound’s exchange rate against the euro which is the most important currency for most of us here, other than sterling. These rates are based on the free market ­— that is to say, they are influenced by events, almost all of which are totally out of Gibraltar’s control.

UK Chancellor George Osborne set out in his 23rd March budget a whole series of measures based on a forecast GDP growth rate, some assumptions as to interest and inflation rates and, of course, the amount he could spend, compared to the likely level of taxation receipts.

The amount he had to borrow was slightly less than the gloomy picture he painted during his first, emergency, budget last year. But that was before he had to ensure that the Ministry of Defence had the resources to open this new “front” in Libya — and who could have predicted the steep rise in oil prices to today’s heady levels?

As I fill up the car and fret that the price has almost doubled since I arrived here seven years

Planning a budget is an economic minefield.

Macmillan’s “events”, in all their troublesome unpredictability, are still the main challenge facing politicians today

ago, it is little comfort that my friends in Spain and the UK are paying up to 25% more than I am for what is really a basic necessity. But it’s not just fuel. People’s grocery bills have also been rising by more than the official rate of inflation.

A lot of this is down to oil. Energy costs make up such a large percentage of the cost of many goods and that it is perhaps the single most important, and variable, factor that planners need to consider.

Put simply, planning a budget is an economic minefield. Macmillan’s “events”, in all their troublesome unpredictability, are still the main challenge facing politicians today. And the same goes for us in dealing with our personal finances.

We can plan and budget to cover most things but something is sure to come along to derail that plan. That is “real life” and thankfully not all events have negative consequences.

As so often in the financial world, it’s not what happens that is important, it’s how we deal with what happens. This is why it’s important to obtain advice — perhaps from the bank when dealing with budgeting and overdrafts and so on. When investing, ask qualified investment managers for help. It’s worth it in the long run.

And let’s hope the second half of 2011 is rather less “event full” than the first six months. I wouldn’t hold your breath! n

Expert Speaker Series

PERSUASION and INFLUENCE Thursday 5th May 2-5pm at Credit Suisse, 1st Floor, Neptune House Philip Hesketh will continue the Expert Speaker series with a talk entitled Persuasion and Inluence, on Thursday 5th May, 2-5pm at Credit Suisse, 1st Floor, Neptune House. Philip works with people of all professions to help them develop business relationships and become more persuasive and influential.

Philip Hesketh is a Psychology graduate from Newcastle University and a Sales graduate from Procter & Gamble. In 1986 he was the creator, New Business Director and Managing Partner of an advertising agency, Advertising Principles.

He sold his interest in the business, after 17 consecutive years of growth, with the agency employing 150 people.

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Having spent his entire working life studying and practising influence and persuasion Philip is now a full time speaker on ‘The Psychology of Persuasion’. His book How To Persuade and Influence People is a number one Amazon best seller.

What you can expect: A highly interactive afternoon where each member is given the opportunity to develop the tools to become more persuasive, promote their business better and make more money. Philip speaks in a style that has been described as both ‘enlightening and entertaining’.

What you will learn: The seven psychological reasons why people buy your product or service and what to do to improve the way

you promote your company. The five keys to persuasion and influence. The Top 10 ‘Killer Questions’ to help develop relationships and turn those relationships into profitable partnerships. The rules for discounting and how to hold a high price. How to turn relationships into business partnerships.

The full price of the morning is £75 per delegate. This is reduced to £55 per delegate for those organisations who are members of The Gibraltar HR Forum, The Chamber of Commerce or The Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses.

For more information please contact Sarah Gomersall mobile: +44 7805 071 083 Email: sarah@provensolutions.me

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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Cruise Ships Encouraged to Stay Longer in Port Cruise ships visiting Gibraltar will soon be allowed to open on-board casinos and shops to their passengers after 6pm, providing an incentive to remain alongside until the following morning. This should encourage cruise ships to extend their calls to Gibraltar, staying later in the evenings.

Until now, ships usually sailed at 5 or 6pm to reach international waters to open their revenue-earning onboard outlets for their passengers, even if their next port of call was close by.

This initiative will give passengers and off-duty crew the opportunity to come ashore in the evenings, creating additional business for local traders. Ships will save fuel by remaining tied up for longer. It will also enable local tour operators to offer a wider range of shore excursions for passengers who will have more time to see what Gibraltar has to offer, on tour and independently.

The relevant legislation is now being drafted to allow for this initia-

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tive to become law.

Deputy Chief Minister, Joe Holliday, discussed the idea with major cruise lines during a visit to Miami prior to the start of the Cruise Shipping Miami Convention in March, to allow cruise companies to factor this into their schedules for 2012.

“I was extremely pleased with the reaction of the cruise lines to this incentive, as it is a win-win situation for everybody. The cruise operators can offer more tours to their passengers, offer more time ashore to their off-duty crews and importantly save fuel which is their top priority at present, while Gibraltar will benefit from ships extending their stay into the evening.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

business news

Barclays Wealth International launches iInvest Barclays Wealth, a leading global wealth management firm and the UK’s largest, has announced the launch of Barclays Wealth iInvest, a new international investment service for Barclays Wealth International clients. Barclays Wealth iInvest enables clients to invest in products across a range of global markets and asset classes, from one single investment account, in GBP, US or EUR currencies.

Barclays Wealth iInvest is available to UK non-domiciles, UK expats, foreign nationals and residents of Gibraltar, who have a minimum of £50,000 to invest.

International investment advisers will provide clients with expert advice to help them build bespoke portfolios that are tailored around their individual investment profile.

Barclays Wealth iInvest clients can place money in products that invest in: shares, bonds, commodities, exchange traded funds, managed funds, structured products.

Commenting on the launch of this new offering, Derek Sene, Head of Personal Banking, Bar-

clays Wealth Gibraltar, said: “In this current environment where interest rates are lower than the rate of inflation, investors are seeing savings being eroded in real terms. With little expectation that interest rates will rise higher than inflation any time soon, Barclays Wealth iInvest provides an opportunity potentially to boost returns through diversification.

There is a strong case for investing across geographies and the launch of Barclays Wealth iInvest is in direct response to client appetite for access to products that provide returns from shares, bonds, exchange traded funds, managed funds and structured products across the globe.” n

Barclays Wealth iInvest provides an opportunity potentially to boost returns through diversification

Spring Law in Gibraltar The Gibraltar office of Spring Law was set up earlier this year by Chris Keightley-Pugh (pictured). Spring Law Gibraltar is an associate office of the Spring Law Group which has its head office in London. The London office has three partners and employs a further 14 solicitors all with specialists skills having been recruited from top London law firms. To find out more about Spring Law and the services it offers visit www.springlaw. co.uk. Spring Law, Suite 3, 1st Floor Ellicott House No 1 Town Range Gibraltar Tel: 20064001 Email: chris.keightleypugh@springlaw.co.uk

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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profile

Zohra: Belly Dancing & Union Lobbying

by Elena Scialtiel

Women’s liberation isn’t about showing an extra inch of skin under micro-dresses. It is about exercising one’s right to an education and a career, instead of passively accepting one’s traditional destiny of mother and wife (unless one wants to) says Zohra El Gharbaoui Victor, the Moroccan Gibraltarian unionist who last year championed the rights of local Moroccan workers at a trade unions’ conference in Manchester, and at further informal meetings with top human rights campaigners.

Proud of women attaining prestigious professional positions in broadcasting, medicine, law and politics in her homeland as much as in UK and Spain, Zohra became an active

Zohra El Gharbaoui Victor

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Zohra describes herself as a people’s person: surely there is no Gibraltar resident who doesn’t enjoy stopping for a quick chat with this friendly, bubbly, elegant but unassuming lady

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

profile member of the local Moroccan Community Association, and has been a Unite the Union equality representative for some two years.

She was chosen for her personal experience in the field, and for her fluency in English and Spanish as much as French and Arabic.

She has been living in Gibraltar for the best part of her 45 years, which she carries off with grace and sense of humour, because she feels much younger at heart, and so much ‘Yanita’ she wouldn’t return to Tangiers for good before her retirement.

Zohra describes herself as a people’s person: surely there is no Gibraltar resident who doesn’t enjoy stopping for a quick chat with this friendly, bubbly, elegant but unassuming lady with a penchant for belly dancing.

In fact, she credits her youthful figure to her half-an-hour daily training and, even if she doesn’t consider herself a pro, she is always happy to perform at friends’ weddings or charity events.

Her story is very similar to many other Moroccan workers on the Rock. Born in Tetouan, raised by an older sister in Tangiers, where she was schooled, and became fluent in Spanish, she spent her summer holidays in Gibraltar with her working parents, a modern middle-class family who never fussed about her going out alone or dressing ‘European’, but taught her a solid respect for their traditions and religion.

She’s a practising Muslim, but she would like to do even more to portray her identity, like wearing djellaba and veil, which she is not yet for practical reasons, and perhaps for

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

outright laziness, she admits, something that often makes her feel guilty, because she’s a ‘living contradiction’.

If not on the exterior, she is nevertheless respectful of ‘what counts’, from Ramadan to Eid al-Adha, which she likes to spend with her family, and she’s committed to handing on the ancestral traditions’ baton to her offspring.

She laments that Moroccan kids in Gibraltar are becoming too westernised, or better said Americanised — as are local teenagers, alas, forsaking their own culture, despite their parents’ efforts to keep them proud of their past.

As a teenager herself, she did not feel the gap between metropolitan Tangiers and close-knit Gibraltar, a multiethnic society with no significant differences in the dos and don’ts for any young lady’s acceptable behaviour. However, she suffered hurtful discrimination, albeit by a minority, while the majority of local girls were good friends to her.

Later, Zohra took up employment as house-

She laments that Moroccan kids in Gibraltar are becoming too westernised, or better said Americanised — as are local teenagers, alas, forsaking their own culture, despite their parents’ efforts to keep them proud of their past

keeper for a family who treated her like a daughter, and helped her land a shop assistant job in Main Street, where she could be in contact with the public, as she wished.

In her early 20s, she moved to the Marina Bay launderette. During these years she met her future husband, or better said he met her, because the engagement was carried out in a traditional way — he asked her parents for her hand in marriage. She agreed to it mostly to please her parents, but also because she trusted they’d made the right choice for her, and it was going to be for life.

Unfortunately, they separated after their three girls were born and he returned to Morocco. At 41, Zohra married a Gibraltarian, convinced he was ‘the one’, but this marriage too ended shortly after.

Divorce made her a juggling-and-struggling single parent, but also gave her the insight to reflect on the situation of immigrant women in Gibraltar, and get actively involved in improving their rights.

Her career had a boost with the posts of shopping advisor for a department store and a perfumery chain, before eventually finding her calling as a nursing assistant at the Elderly Care Agency, where she goes through her long hours with a smile on her face, and filial respect for the guests’ dignity.

No matter how professional and detached one can be, it is inevitable to grow fond of her elderly friends, and when one passes away, she finds solace in Islam’s teachings to accept death as an integral part of life, confident they will always be in her heart. n

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business & finance

Is the office party a thing of the past?

Are benefits still beneficial under the new Income Tax Act

?

by Yael Lhote, Hassans

The Gibraltar Income Tax Act 2010 came into effect on 1st January of this year, introducing far reaching reforms in numerous areas. One of these is “benefits in kind”. These are benefits which an employee receives from its employer over and above their salary.

The types of benefits in kind are diverse, with one of the most common being a company car. There are other less common forms such as contributions by an employer to private medical insurance. In general, these benefits will be treated as earnings and taxed along with the employee’s salary.

Although the previous income tax act provided for the taxation of benefits in kind, it had no guidance on how they should be quantified.

Hence, although most of the heads of benefits in the Act are not new, the rules are more precise as to their quantification and valuation. In fact, the Act dedicates an

16

entire schedule to benefits in kind, reflecting the wider message of the Act, which is that the Government wants to ensure that “all pay the taxes that are due- thus making the low rates possible for all”.

Examples of Benefits under the Act:

Vouchers & Credit-Tokens These are vouchers or tokens received by an employee or a member of its family because of the employee’s employment. It does not therefore, include vouchers and tokens which are available to the public generally. For example, if an individual works in a travel agent,

If a vehicle is pooled for use on the job by more than one employee and the vehicle is not parked overnight near an employee’s home, it would not be treated as a benefit in kind

these could be holiday vouchers.

Credit-Tokens include credit and debit cards or any other means whereby the employer undertakes to supply money, goods or services when it is produced.

Cars, Vans & Related Expenditure These are vehicles which an employer makes available for an employee’s private use or for the use of a member of its family or household. Hence, if a vehicle is pooled for use on the job by more than one employee and the vehicle is not parked overnight near an employee’s home, it would not

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

business & finance be treated as a benefit in kind.

Motor cycles and scooters are also excluded.

The cash equivalent of the vehicle subject to taxation is 25% of the cost of the car for each of the first four years and 0% thereafter. Or, if the car was not purchased by the employer, then the taxable amount is the market value or actual cost of the provision of the car (whichever is greater) less any amount made good by the employee.

There will also be a charge to tax on 90% of the cost to the employer of providing fuel for the vehicle.

Staff Parties/Functions Any amount exceeding £75 per head per year spent on staff events will be treated as benefits in kind.

This amount covers the cost for providing the function as well as any related transport or accommodation costs.

This ties in with the rules for determining the profits and gains of a company which provide that (subject to falling within guidelines to be published by the Commissioner) expenses for such events will usually not be permitted as a deductible expense.

on other benefits in kind such as provision of living accommodation, loans and payment to pension schemes. The Act also gives the Commissioner the discretion to tax benefits not specifically listed in the Act. The value of such benefits is calculated as the cost to the employer less any amount made good by the employer. The Commissioner also has the discretion to grant a “dispensation” where he is satisfied that no additional tax is required under the Act. However, the Commissioner also has the power to retrospectively revoke the dispensation as from any date. In such a case the individual will be liable to pay tax from the relevant date.

The Bright Side The changes regarding benefits in kind may seem onerous. However, employees should remember that the benefits in kind provided

Miscellaneous The Act provides detailed rules

to them by their employer are still “benefits” in the sense that the employee will only have to pay the tax on the benefit, and not the value of the benefit itself. For example, if the employee pays income tax at the rate of 20%, and their company car is valued at £10,000, then the employee would only pay £2000 spread over four years. There is therefore an £8000 saving for the employee. Furthermore, the Act allows the employer to opt to pay the tax in place of the employee, in which case there would be no practical change for the employee.

The rates of tax to be paid by the employer in such cases would be 20% on the first £15,000 per annum, and 29% on any amount exceeding £15,000.

The Act also provides for a £250 tax-free allowance in each year.

Hence, although, for example, the £75 limit per employee for staff functions may seems to put

If the employee pays income tax at the rate of 20%, and their company car is valued at £10,000, then the employee would only pay £2000 spread over four years

a damper on company parties, if an employer spend a total of £250 or less on benefits in kind for each employee then no tax is payable.

Conclusion The Government has recognised that the Act will take time to get used to, which is why it provides for a moratorium until 30th June 2012 during which time no penalties or fines will be imposed.

This does not apply to interest on unpaid tax. The Act also gives the Commissioner the discretion to waive, reduce or even discharge penalties incurred in cases of honest mistakes.

Only time will tell how efficient the reforms will prove and how effectively they will be followed.

Although they have been met with mixed feelings, in the case of benefits of kinds, tax payers and their advisors will at least be glad for the greater clarity provided.

Are benefits still beneficial to the tax payer? The answer would still be yes. n

by Yael Lhote Qualified Solicitor Tax and Overseas Property Team Contact yael.lhote@hassans.gi

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recruitment

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Active networking is vital to career growth. Often confused with selling, networking is actually about building longterm relationships and a good reputation over time. It involves meeting and getting to know people who you can assist, and who can potentially help you in return.

You probably have a network you don’t even recognise. One definition of a network is a “usually informally interconnected group or association of persons�.

These associations can be personal relationships with friends, family and others you meet in an informal gathering and also business

relationships you develop with customers, suppliers, supervisors and colleagues you encounter during the course of your career. To further build your network, you can attend formal networking meetings designed to help businesses to meet potential clients, colleagues and suppliers.

Here are some of the key benefits of networking:

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the Network Benefits

recommended for a particular situation. As we all know, a personal reference is the most powerful endorsement possible.

Fresh Ideas We can never stand still in our jobs. We need always to be on the lookout for ways to improve and to impress. Your network can be an excellent source of new perspectives and ideas to help you in your role.

Exchanging information on challenges, experiences and goals is a key benefit of networking because it allows you to gain new insights that you may not have otherwise thought of. Similarly, offering helpful ideas to a contact is an excellent way to build your reputation as an Strengthening Relationships innovative thinker.

Networking is not just about Fresh ideas come naturally from making contacts, it is about devel- networking because networking is oping and strengthening relation- built on developing relationships ships over time. and, as we know, listening plays an As in any relationship, Network- important part. Very many business ing is about sharing, not taking. It discussions are superficial - like is about forming trust and helping a game or a set of dance steps. If one another toward goals. What you can make a determined effort goes around comes around... there to concentrate and care about the is no scientific explanation of this other person, you can engage at a but it does seem to work. Regularly deeper level and better share comengaging with your contacts and mon concerns and ideas. finding opportunities to assist them helps to strengthen the relationship. Raised Profile By doing this, you sow the seeds Being visible and getting noticed for reciprocal assistance when you is a benefit of networking that’s esneed help to achieve your goals. sential in career building. Regularly By proving yourself to be genu- attending professional and social ine, authentic and a person of integ- events will help to get your face rity, when a relevant opportunity known. You can then help to build arises, you will be the one to be your reputation as knowledgeable,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

recruitment

text by Oliver Medina, Executive Recruitment Manager (Financial Services & Banking), Select Recruitment (Gibraltar) reliable and supportive by offering useful information or tips to people who need it.

Getting noticed for the right reasons is not about being the loudest person in any room, and certainly not about pressing your business card on people and telling them how wonderful you are. Very often a hard sell is offensive to others in the group. However, you should have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes you special or different from others doing the same thing.

increases one’s likelihood of receiving introductions to potentially relevant people or even a referral.

Expanding your network can also, of course, open doors to new opportunities for personal growth or simply new knowledge.

New Information Networking is a great opportunity to exchange best practice knowledge, learn about the business techniques of your peers and stay abreast of the latest industry developments. A wide network of informed, interconnected contacts means broader access to new and Access to Opportunities Networking is essentially about valuable information. opening doors to new opportunities. The old adage, “It’s not what Advice and Support The support and advice gained you know but who you know” is becoming increasingly true for us from experienced peers cannot be all. The wider our circle of contacts, underestimated as a great benefit the more likely we will hear of op- of networking. Discussing common portunities. By being well known challenges and opportunities opens and active in a circle will lead to the the door to valuable suggestions, greatest potential for us to be top of guidance and the all important support that comes from being mind when opportunities arise.

The opportunity might be a amongst like minded people. Ofjob opening, or it could be that fering genuine assistance to your through our network we hear of contacts also sets a strong foundasomeone needing services that we tion for receiving support in return can provide. Networking certainly when you need it. n

The support and advice gained from experienced peers cannot be underestimated as a great benefit of networking GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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human resources

Gibraltar’s HR Clinic:

Employment & Your Rights

Real Questions Answered...

Each month Anna Moffatt, HR Consultant to HR GO Gibraltar, takes questions from the general public on HR related issues and gives you the benefit of her experience. This is your chance to raise any questions about employment related issues and receive some free advice from the suitably qualified individual.

My granddad recently died and I want to attend the funeral in the UK. Am I entitled to compassionate leave?

Depending on your contract of employment, you would normally be entitled to some time off for a funeral of a close relative ie: mother, father, sibling or children. However in the case of a grandparent or other relative it is questionable. I would ask the HR department and then explain the situation, you will probably need to take holiday for this one. n I have just started a new job and they have two hour lunch breaks. I have nowhere to go for two hours so would rather work the hour and leave early. Can I ask this of the firm or do you think it is too early to do this?

ment that your hours were 9am-5.30pm with a two hour lunch break for example, then you will have to work those hours as you agreed to them in the first instance. It is hard to change things once they have been agreed. n I have a member of staff who has recently been in trouble with the police. He has to attend court for a trial and has asked me for time off. I presume you do not need to give people time off for this kind of thing?

Also, what if he goes to prison — do I have to keep his job open for him?

No you do to have to give that person time off for his court appearance. The labour inspectorate based at the Ministry of Employment can always help you with any enquiries. My opinion would be that, if he/she has been with you over one year, if this person was convicted If it was in the original contract of employ- of an offence which did not affect his work and

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happened outside of working hours and also did not bring the company name into disrepute, then it would be hard to fire him/her for the conviction. However the argument would then be that he is not fit for work for two months, and you would need somebody to cover the role.

Speak to a lawyer as he could go to Tribunal over this. n Qualified with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Anna Moffatt, was heavily involved in the setup of the HR Forum, a body established in Gibraltar to promote awareness of HR procedures and legislation and to allow information sharing. Anna acts as a HR Consultant to HR GO Gibraltar, formerly Corporate Resources Ltd, one of Gibraltar’s longest established recruitment agencies.

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • may 2011

business news

The Belilos team

Congratulations to Belilos: Celebrating 25 Years 2011 marks a very special occasion for the staff of civil and structural engineering consultants, Belilos, which celebrates its silver anniversary after clocking up 25 years of trading.

“We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating our 25th aniversary this year,” says co-founder David Orfila. “We have been proud to see the company grow and develop with Gibraltar over the years and look forward to a bright future, thanks in no small part to our many clients and the dedicated team.”

M. E. Belilo & Partners was launched at the beginning of 1986, when the principals, Mesod Belilo and David Orfila set up Gibraltar’s first resident engineering consultancy practice. This was shortly before Gibraltar’s development boom, in the wake of the full opening of the land frontier with Spain in 1985.

25 years later a company restructure has taken place with the incorporation of Belilos Ltd (now trading under the business name Belilos), and the company remains at the forefront of the construction industry here in Gibraltar, working

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • may 2011

in the private and public sectors.

All of Belilos’ projects are managed with direct participation of one of the business’ directors — Mesod Belilo MBE, David A. Orfila, Michael Millgate or Jim Gray — who are all fully Chartered Engineers, and who form a design team with one or more of the engineering draughtsmen within the company.

Belilos has undertaken all forms of reinforced concrete, structural steelwork, masonry and

All of Belilos’ projects are managed with direct participation of one of the business’ directors who are all fully Chartered Engineers

timber design, and is able to offer clients in Gibraltar a full structural engineering package.

Specialist training of staff in the use of sophisticated engineering analysis and design software allows the company to undertake the design of complex and specialist structures.

Additionally, the company has expertise in specialist areas — site investigations, geotechnical and foundations engineering, liquid retaining structures, maritime structures and sea defence works, structural surveys and civil engineering infrastructure.

Over the last few years, Belilos has provided the services of Planning Supervisor on small, medium and large scale contracts and has now entered into an association with health and safety consultants Safety Services. n 2/1 Engineer Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 200 79548 Email: info@belilo.gi

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business news Commenting on Land Rover’s sales performance, Global Brand Director John Edwards said: “These latest sales results reflect the growing confidence of the market and the overwhelmingly positive response we have had to our latest product offerings. Nowhere is this more evident than in the UK where we have once again broken an incredible sales record. Combine this with growth in major global markets and the imminent arrival of our most fuel efficient model ever — the Range Rover Evoque and you can see that Land Rover has much to be proud of and a great deal to look forward to.”

The new Range Rover Evoque

● Land Rover UK sets best ever sales month in the company’s 63-year history ● China and India set best ever March sales for both Jaguar and Land Rover ● Jaguar Land Rover up 6% for the month and 13% for the quarter globally

Record Sales for Jaguar & Land Rover Strong Performances in UK, China & India Jaguar Land Rover announced record-breaking sales performances in March from key international markets, most notably the UK, China and India. Jaguar Land Rover combined were up 6% globally in March and 13% ahead of 2010 for the first quarter.

advertorial

“Despite a challenging business environment, Jaguar Land Rover is flourishing on a global scale with March sales reflecting the confidence consumers have in our brands and products,” said Phil Popham, Group Sales Operations Director. He continued: “We have ambitious plans to grow our business and it is clear that there is a strong appetite in the market for exciting new products, powertrains and technologies which will further improve our penetration in key markets and segments.”

Land Rover Land Rover has once again deliv-

22 22

ered a powerful performance across all major markets. A 30% surge in sales for the Range Rover 2011 model year led to the UK beating its previous record set in 2010 with total sales of 11,400 for the month — the highest monthly total in the company’s 63 year history.

China and India also delivered impressive performances with their best March retail sales on record — up 33% and 61% respectively.

Other notable results were recorded

“

by North America up 24% and Russia up 47% for the month.

This strong March performance reflects a continuing positive trend which sees Land Rover up 16% for the quarter globally. This is largely thanks to positive public reaction to the 2011 model year line up, in particular Range Rover up 28% and Freelander 2 up 18%. Range Rover Sport and Discovery 4 were also up for the quarter — 12% and 15% respectively.

Jaguar Jaguar continued its positive trend in a number of global markets with best month ever in India, and best performances in March for the China region up 6% and Korea up 29%. Other notable market performances came from Russia up 70%, Germany up 49% and Japan up 34%.

Improvements in both emerging and established markets were driven by the all new XJ and continued momentum of the XF, which in turn contributed towards Jaguar recording a global sales improvement of 3% for the quarter.

Commenting on Jaguar’s performance Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director said: “Jaguar is continuing to make very positive headway in a number of emerging markets thanks to our strongest ever vehicle line up which was completed in 2010 with the new XJ. This latest model has had a positive impact on our global sales performance and the introduction of a 3.0 litre engine for the incredibly important Chinese and Russian markets will drive further success for the flagship model.”

Hallmark continued: “Quarter one sales also highlight the importance of XF to our portfolio. It remains our strongest performing product and I have no doubt that this award winning model will realise yet further sales potential thanks to the introduction of our most efficient engine to date — the 2.2 litre diesel which is capable of returning 52.3 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 149g/ km of CO2.” n Land Rover and Jaguar are available locally from Capurro, 20 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75149 email: sales@capurro.gi

We have ambitious plans to grow our business and it is clear that there is a strong appetite in the market for exciting new products

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• MAY MAY 2011 2011 GIBRALTAR

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007

taxing matters

by Frankie Hatton

Ahahid Azeem receiving the Pakistani Entrepreneur of the Year 2010

Originally from Pakistan, Shahid and his family settled in Guildford, Surrey where he was thrust amongst the kids of St Nicholas School.

In the same class as Shahid was Nicholas Lyndhurst, probably showing no discernable comedy talent at the time although going on famously to play Robin the Boy Wonder alongside David Jason’s Batman in that unforgettable episode of Only Fools and Horses.

Without being able to speak English he turned to what he did best which was sport, in particular football. Through this he made friends and began to learn the language goofing around and generally acclimatising. He recalls one of his major hits was his talent for being able to “Stuff a whole packet of Opal Fruits in my mouth in one go!”

He also at this time showed some fledgling entrepreneurial flair by lending money to classmates, although he never said what his interest rate was.

Starting school in England at the age of 10, however, wasn’t a sure fire way to gain qualifications and as with many young kids, sporting prowess sometimes is an acceptable reason not to do well. So it was for Shahid, leaving school with no qualifications but a desire to be a professional footballer.

He takes up the story.

“My father arrived in England as an immigrant in the ’50s I followed on 4th February 1969 at around 6pm, on a plane with my siblings. I remember it well. Even now it can be dull and miserable there, but I just love it. I have four sisters but unfortunately no brothers. Why unfortunate? Well it’s hard to get your sisters to play in goal.”

His football did see him shine as a youth player and after being taken on by a professional club he became one of the UK’s first Asian footballers. Unfortunately a severe leg break curtailed this career and he luckily found work as a data processor in the civil service.

He had no idea the job involved computers until he turned up for work and, as is often the way, it turned out he had a modicum of talent in IT. His interest lay in operating mainframes — powerful computers used mainly by large organisations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing. In those days of course, as Shahid says himself, the CPU was the size of an aircraft hangar.

On leaving the civil service Shahid went to work at AT&T using his business skills and acumen he set up a couple of businesses for them and realised that instead of doing it for

Shahid Azeem

Talking Football, IT and Wobbles Imagine this, you are 10 years old and, in some ways reminiscent of the World War 2 evacuation of the children from Gibraltar, you are taken to a foreign country by your family. A country where you can’t speak the language, the customs are distinctly alien and the weather is pants. Well that is exactly what happened to our interviewee this month Shahid Azeem. Now an established entrepreneur with a passion for football, Shahid is currently focussing on developing his operation in Gibraltar.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

personality profile someone else he might as well do it for himself.

In 1989 he did just that. The company performed so well after he spotted a gap in the PC market that some 16 years later he sold the company and was able to take 18 months away to work for good causes and charities — a vocation he’s pursued throughout his life, donating money, and more importantly his time to numerous charities at home and abroad.

As well as charity and community projects he’s tried his hand at television work, appearing on the Channel 4 programme, Millionaires’ Mission. A four part series set in Uganda, in conjunction with charity group World Vision, Shahid was one of eight successful British business leaders that had to apply their business skills to tackle the seemingly intractable issue of poverty and improve the living standards of a remote farming community to build sustainable incomes.

Having come into Britain at the time when ‘Skinheads’ and the BNP were very active it was a great pleasure for him to be invited years later by the University of Surrey to become its first non-academic Visiting Fellow, a role through which he was able to realise the groundbreaking Inter Faith Education Programme.

A programme which brought students from diverse religious and spiritual identities closer together to study in one unique building, a first in the UK. Shahid was also involved with Jubilee Action, a children’s human rights organisation, where he was “Charity Champion of the Year”, as well as picking up his passion for football again taking on the role of Chairman for Guildford City Football Club where he is currently a Vice President. Interestingly at one time he was also Chairman of Woking Football Club and is currently a Director of Aldershot FC. It’s clear he is passionate about football!

Arcom IT, his main business, sets up as an IT department or an extension of a department in a company — here in Gibraltar as well as others Arcom IT works alongside Party Gaming. The company operates 24 hours a day 365 days a year. giving support to various companies and they currently have offices in Guildford, Shoreham in Sussex and here in Gibraltar. They also have data suites in Portsmouth and London.

I asked Shahid why he decided to open an office in Gibraltar?

“We have been in involved in supplying the on-line gaming companies in Gibraltar for the last seven years. We have been involved in other areas such as the GHA and we wanted to show

The early days Gibraltarian Tim Buzalgo (bottom right) Shahid (bottom left)

our commitment to Gib by having a entity and presence here.

“I must have been in Gib over 50 times in the last seven years but my connection with Gibraltar goes back some 30 years when I took up squash as a sport. I met a man called Joe Buzaglo who was headmaster of a local school. I remember beating him at squash but the friendship continued despite of it and I learned he was actually from Gibraltar. I believe at one time he was Gibraltar’s ICC President, that’s cricket not the shopping centre,” he adds with a smile.

Shahid in the Chelsea Legends line-up at at Stamford Bridge GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

“”

This office is my main focus at the moment as I want to develop the operation in Gibraltar

“Oddly I also played football with his two sons Tim and Richard. Tim famously scoring a hat trick for Woking FC when they beat West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup and he, like Richard, also played cricket for Gibraltar. I spend at least a week every month in Gib and often when I do we catch up for a lunch or something.”

“I really like coming here not just to see how work is doing but so I can send sunny photos of the place to the team back in the UK who are normally suffering in snow, rain or just cloud.

This office is my main focus at the moment as I want to develop the operation in Gibraltar.”

Heavily involved in Rotary his motto is ‘treat others as you would want them to treat you, no matter what age, religion or wealth’. Locally his company Arcom IT has picked Gibraltar’s local charity Wobbles as their charity of the year and as well as helping vamp up their website they have created an online shop where people can buy Wobbles gifts to help aid fundraising as well as offering ideas and support in other areas.

Although the leg fracture curtailed any hope of a professional football career he still loves sport and has represented England at Squash in the VET GB Squad’s section. He also supports Chelsea Football Club. Sporting endeavours must run in the family as he has two famous sporting nephews, the England cricketer Sajid Mahmood and British boxer Amir Khan.

As well as being appointed Chairman of Woking FC in 2009 he was the winner of Surrey Business Personality of the Year 2010 and Pakistani entrepreneur of year 2010. His company, Arcom IT, was a finalist of ExxonMobil Corporate Social Responsible Company of the year and also chairs the Prince Charles charity Mosaic South East.

If you want to know more about him or his company go to www.arcomit.co.uk or say “hi” if you see him wearing the Wobbles costume at a future event. n

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current events

Invincible Leadership Leadership-events.com is hosting an evening, including an exclusive three-course dinner, under the banner Invincible Leadership Strategies at Leisure Island on Tuesday 10th May 2011.

David Elliott, of David Elliott and his clients to achieve unparal& Associates, who is leading the leled success in areas of commerce event, will share how methand sports. odologies and key strateThe main guest gies have allowed him speaker, Martin Keown, is a professional leadership, strategic change management and peak performance consultant based in Monaco. The former England Captain and Arsenal player whose football expertise and performance analysis is often featured on BBC

Football Focus, Final Score and Radio 5 Live will be talking about this role as England Captain and how he refined his understanding of the eminently transferable skills and core drivers of peak performance.

There is huge Arsenal and football following in Gibraltar, and Martin will be a key attraction for the event. Martin will also share some of his highlights and experiences from his amazing career including winning the FA Cup and Premier League Championships double twice with Arsenal in 1992 and 2002.

The Gibraltar Magazine asked David Elliott how he thinks sport strategy relates to business models in Gibraltar, in response David said “Most people have far more ability than they actually perceive, or may ever realise. My work is simply about helping people to quickly overcome any limiting beliefs that may be blocking their true potential and raise their aspirations and ability to take their performance to the next level, no matter which field of endeavor it happens to be.”

David added “Business leaders believe their people are more enthusiastic towards attending sports related events over the more traditional corporate training programmes and achieve a far better response for their training initiatives and investment, often gaining an immediate improvement in

“

results, over the more traditional corporate training programmes.

One such example was when we worked with the US Navy Seals, who are an elite zero defect team.

Having been given a choice of case studies from which to focus upon, they unanimously selected the Arsenal study over other equally impressive studies.”

When asked if this will be one of a series of such events held in Gibraltar David said “Whilst Gibraltar was initially intended as one venue of our European tour, the interest in future leadership and business development workshops has been amazing, and as a result we are looking into this possibility within the business community here in Gibraltar, so watch this space!”

The Gibraltar Magazine asked David who he expects to attract to the event? “The main response thus far has been from business executives and leaders who are always looking to improve and develop team bonding, performance and results. I think people are genuinely interested in the strategies of football managers, especially those at the level Martin has operated with (several of which have managed the English National Team) and so to hear him share some of these is a unique opportunity.”

David is also exploring the pos-

I have been visiting Gibraltar since I was 21 years of age, and I have a real passion for the place and feel very much at home here

David Elliott with FIFA President Stepp Blatter

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”

Martin Keown GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

events siblity of relocating to Gibraltar which brings us to ask why he is especially interested in Gibraltar as a jurisdiction?

“Well, I have been visiting Gibraltar since I was 21 years of age, and I have a real passion for the place and feel very much at home here. People I spoke to expressed an interest in my work, and I have realised there is certainly a call for personal and organisational growth and development (performance and results) at the very highest level, and so the opportunity to provide this in a place I am so fond of is extremely attractive.”

Overall the main aim of the event in May is to provide inspiration for business executives and lead-

ers who are looking for ways to improve and develop their teams as well as enjoying a pleasant evening and excellent dinner. For keen Arsenal FC fans in Gibraltar the evening also boasts a chance to purchase Arsenal memorabilia, which will be auctioned for a charity at the event.

If you are interested in attending, need more information which is not on the website www.leadership-events.com, or would like to book a table contact James Appleby on 606 52474 or info@leadershipevents.com. Spaces are limited.

Tickets are available priced at £550 for a table of five and £950 for a table of 10 (including dinner, all wine, beer and soft drinks). n

There is huge Arsenal and football following in Gibraltar, and Martin will be a key attraction for the event Finance Centre Council annual conference The Finance Centre Council annual conference will take place on Thursday 5th May on the specially converted 4th floor of the Leisure Island Business Centre, Ocean Village. Space is limited to 400 delegates. The cost for attendance including coffee, lunch and drinks is £75.00. Visit www.financecentre.gi for full programme and to book your place. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

STM Group resolves the Gibraltar QROPS crisis For the last two years Gibraltar has had a voluntary suspension on accepting UK pension transfers due to negotiations with HMRC over local tax rates.

Clients and providers alike have found this to be a very frustrating time with millions of pounds of pension transfers being held up, potentially lost to other jurisdictions.

David Erhardt, Pensions Director of STM Group has designed a new Gibraltar QROPS scheme which we are pleased to announce has been approved by the Commissioner of Income Tax in Gibraltar and recognised by HMRC in the UK as a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS).

Whilst full details of the new scheme are being kept confidential for obvious reasons, it is the expertise on QROPS and the detailed knowledge of the Gibraltar taxation system that has allowed STM to lead the way in resolving the Gibraltar QROPS crisis.

Whilst existing schemes remain in a state of suspension, STM is the only provider currently able to transfer pensions from the UK to a Gibraltar QROPS. Due to its geographical location, Gibraltar is within close proximity to a large number of expats who are able to visit their pension trustees for a face to face meeting.

A Gibraltar QROPS also offers some unique advantages over other jurisdictions and therefore is a welcome addition to the STM Group multijurisdictional QROPS Wrap and follows hot on the heels of the launch of the STM Malta QROPS. n

27

The Olive Mill

Fernando Peire

Restaurateur in the Ivy League Fernando Peire, 51, is one of Gibraltar’s most famous expatriate sons. In 1998, while he was maitre d’ at the Ivy restaurant, he was voted Best Host of a fashionable restaurant in the UK by readers of Harpers & Queen magazine. Later this month he features in a six part Channel 5 television programme The Restaurant Inspector. Today he is the director of the Ivy restaurant and its sister, the Ivy Club.

Fernando is proud to be Gibraltarian although his parents moved to London in 1960 when he was one year old. He is the son of 88 year old Emilio Peire, old soldier, protestor and frequent writer of letters to the local press. His paternal grandmother, Isabel, was a legendary local character who owned some shops and was regarded as a strong woman in the Margaret Thatcher sense of the word.

Fernando spends more time on the Rock these days as he owns a house across the border. He recalls a family visit in 1972 when they stayed at the Rock Hotel and his overriding memory is of walking down Main Street by himself and Gibraltarians coming up to him saying “You must be a member of the Peire family as you look just like your father and grandmother.”

Fernando went to the Latymer Grammar

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School in London, then Manchester University to read Law and French. He had no plan to enter catering but, as tends to happen, he more or less fell into the profession. He had always worked in restaurants — as a school boy in Enfield he worked as a waiter to supplement his pocket money and at university he carried on being a waiter.

Graduate Fernando decided on an academic career as by then he was trilingual and arranged to go on an interpreter’s course in Paris with a view to becoming a conference interpreter. This was a two year course so he needed to earn money before starting his studies and took a year out as assistant manager in The Steak and Kebab, a large restaurant in Manchester. Despite the name it was a good restaurant run by young people. Hard work was rewarded and

aged 23 he was appointed manager; by this time he had decided that catering was his vocation and so cancelled the Paris course. He stayed in Manchester for four years and was appointed a director of S & K restaurants.

Fernando made considerable money in Manchester, and decided to move to London.

Alas the best laid plans of mice and men can go astray and all his savings were lost, mainly due to the recession of the late ’80s. Together with a partner, he bought a freehold building in Chelsea and expanded an existing small restaurant, The Left Bank, into a large one. Despite achieving great acclaim from restaurant critics was not a financial success. To put this into perspective The Left Bank opened in August 1987 and the Black Monday stock market crash was in October.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

career file

interview by Mike Brufal After a period of reflection Fernando made his next move in 1990. A friend, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and one of the greatest guitarists in the world, owned The Ivy restaurant building near Leicester Square. Dire Straits’ bassist, John Illsley, thought The Ivy was not up to the standard of Le Caprice (both restaurants had the same management), the problem being the front of house — in other words the maitre d’. John persuaded Fernando to applied for the role and he was offered what was the first management position made from outside the company. There was an embarrassing sequel to the appointment as the existing maitre d’ had not been told of his dismissal. Fernando arrived on his first day at 4pm and to his horror saw the deposed maitre d’ turn up for duty at 4.30pm. Fortunately a director saw him arriving and took him off to explain his fate.

Fernando describes the functions of a maitre d’ and why The Ivy is such a hot restaurant.

“The Ivy opened its doors in 1917 and during the ’30s became the established meeting place of actors. Noel Coward and Laurence Olivier made it their local and it soon became a recognised theatrical restaurant. It then went out of fashion and was in turn bought by a succession of companies until it ended up owned by Caprice Holdings which also owns Le Caprice, J. Sheekey, Scotts and Daphne’s among other London restaurants.

“20 years ago in 1990 a decision was taken to make it the sort of restaurant which would attract actors and people associated with the theatre which included casting directors and agents. I did not know anyone in the theatre but I found out who the key players were and, little by little, all the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle came together to turn The Ivy into the new Ivy theatre restaurant.

“I always found space for actors however full the restaurant. The actors began to see each other there and so it swiftly became the meeting place for the profession. A spin off was that the restaurant also became a network centre for those in the film industry. Then followed the arrival of the Hollywood stars which meant acres of press coverage and soon all in restaurant society started to talk about The Ivy. “By the mid-’90s it was London’s hottest restaurant and, in turn, attracted unwanted paparazzi who would lay in wait for the stars. A practice discouraged by us. On the first floor is a deluxe private room which seats 60 and enjoys a gallery of contemporary art which includes the late Sebastian Horsley’s Sunflower Triptych.

“When I was appointed maitre d’ I had no

Mamma Rosa

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

Simply Seafood

experience of what the position entailed. But, after talking to the owners, I worked out what it would be. It was to answer the telephone to take the bookings, to greet the customers as they arrive and decide what table they should be

“

An important task is to decide where people sit.

This is the key to a restaurant’s success and does not mean leading them to a vacant table

”

taken to. The key factors are to remember names and most important to be different things to all people. For example the person who wishes to talk on the way to the table gets a short conversation; on the other hand there are some who just want you to acknowledge who they are and be taken straight to the table. I have to anticipate what the customers want and try and give them the right service.

“An important task is to decide where people sit. This is the key to a restaurant’s success and does not mean leading them to a vacant table. At a high profile restaurant like ours it is necessary to seat a party at a discreet distance from another party they know. I can assure you there are no bad tables at The Ivy as it is a well laid floor.

“Naturally clients have their own ideas as to what constitutes a good or bad table; at The Ivy this is usually because they have seen a famous person sitting at a certain table. In their mind this must mean it is a very good table. I must admit there are restaurants in London in which there are bad tables. If a table for two is required they will find the tables laid out in a row with the guests sitting next to each other with one guest looking at the wall. All our tables for two are at right angles to each other so all get a good view of the room.

“Americans never wish to sit at the table you take them to; they assume they will be given a bad one. At the pre-theatre sitting I offer them the choice of the room as I do not expect any personalities. Every table is always reserved so

Bambers

29

The Vineyard

that gives me flexibility to where I take customers. I tend not to give regular customers the same table and it is rare for any star to have his or her own table.

“It is policy that all members of staff are discreet and no one talks about any of our clients and never reveals on which table such and such a personality has sat.

“The restaurant has 105 seats and every evening Monday to Saturday we serve between 270 to 330 covers and 230 on Sundays. There are three sittings: pre-theatre, mid-evening and post theatre. We serve 120 covers at lunch but this is even harder to get a reservation as there is only one sitting. On Sunday a customer has to book seven weeks in advance.

“I view the room as a theatrical production and arrange the seating at the tables so actor A is able to see a casting director or a producer at a nearby table. My prime task is to create the atmosphere for a successful evening by placing people at a table on which they will be happy.

For example if I have sat a big Hollywood star on this table and a film director there who do I sit between them? I must not put a party who comes to the restaurant once a year to celebrate a birthday because they will be overawed and will spend the whole evening trying to listen to the conversation on either side. What I would do is to put say a table of Swedish visitors who have just come from the theatre and are staying in a nearby elegant hotel. In any event they probably do not know the star and almost certainly will not recognise the director thus providing a buffer between the two tables whose occupants I want to see each other but not be so close they can hear each other’s conversations. Nor do I want those on the table between them to start asking for autographs.

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“We try to stop customers from seeking autographs. Alas they do try. If a member of staff sees a client moving towards a celebrity’s table he will rush across and ask if he can help.

Almost without exception the autograph hunter lies and says he or she is looking for the loo.

The offender is then escorted to ‘los servicios’.

But some do get through and I then have to apologise profusely to the star. Many celebrities come to ‘The Ivy’ because they know it is our policy to deter autograph seekers. The staff are not allowed to ask for autographs.

“On Sundays sometimes I was faced with a problem because it is the night when the personalities tend to stay at home. But our customers hope to see at least one famous face; it is part of the attraction as well as the fantastic food. So if a young unknown handsome couple arrive who look as if they might be pop stars I will put them on a high profile table and then listen to the buzz of everyone asking who they are.

“The Ivy is run with military precision. There is always a maitre d’ on duty, a floor manager (oversees operations on the floor), two headwaiters (who take the orders and make sure the waiters perform their duties correctly), six waiters and three commis waiters and a head

“

I view the room as a theatrical production and arrange the seating at the tables so actor A is able to see a casting director or a producer at a nearby table

”

chef who runs the kitchen.”

Fernando decided to leave The Ivy in 1998 when it was taken over by the Belgo Group. After a six month holiday he returned to re-launch Quo Vadis in Soho for Marco Pierre White followed by time as a consultant for projects involving Morton’s Club, the Halcyon Hotel, the Villa Nova in Barbados and finally director of The Frontline Club in Paddington.

Richard Caring bought the restaurant in 2007 and managed to entice him back to become Director of both The Ivy and The Club at the Ivy, a private members’ club taking up three floors of the same building as the restaurant.

The Club, opened in 2008, was designed by Martin Brudnizki and swiftly became London’s leading private members’ club. The Club hosts regular events including quiz nights, wine tastings, martini master classes and ‘Intimate at the Ivy’ interviews with well-known figures.

Fernando is often the interviewer and recently his subject was Sir Roger Moore. The Club is also a mini art gallery with pieces by artists such as Damien Hirst, Maggie Hambling and Tracey Emin.

The Club is oversubscribed with some 1500 members but there are memberships available for those who fall into the categories such as the diplomatic service which are underrepresented.

Last year Fernando was invited to New Zealand where he headlined the Restaurant Association Telecom Master Classes and held three workshops in Auckland and one in Wellington.

Earlier this year he flew to Dubai as later this year The Ivy restaurant will open in The Boulevard Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Expansion overseas has been steady with Le Caprice in New York, Daphne’s in Barbados and the Rivington Grill in Dubai. The next project to open will be ‘34’, a steak house in Grosvenor Square due to open next year.

Later this month Peire starts a six part series The Restaurant Inspector made by Jamie Oliver’s TV production company, which will be broadcast on Channel 5. Fernando sets out to turn around the fortunes of six failing restaurants all over Great Britain. In order to ensure the true customer experience he goes into the restaurant undercover and returns the following day to present the proprietors with his findings.

On his last visit to Gibraltar a few months ago he had been advised by his friend, the actor Victor Spinetti, that the best restaurant on the Rock was El Patio in Casemates. Accordingly he dined there and it lived up to its praise. Indeed he says he ate one of the finest steaks he had ever eaten — outside of the Ivy of course.

Needless to say he has never been asked by anybody on the Rock for his views on local restaurants and how the standard might be improved. This is surprising as Steve Mckenzie, chief executive of the New Zealand restaurant association, said: “Fernando Peire has an unrivalled understanding of the restaurant business, and an instinctive feel for how to create a broad and loyal customer base — crucial to any successful restaurant. Not only has he built the legendary The Ivy up twice, he has also rescued and re-launched many other renowned restaurants and hotels. Any restaurateur would relish the chance to learn from his knowledge and understanding”. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

31

property market

There is a shortage in Gibraltar of modern, open plan space, with natural light, and raised floors for ease of cabling, and suspended ceilings for ease of aircon etc.

Gibraltar Property Briefing:

A Round Up of Hot Topics

Office Space: Crisis? What Crisis?

It is quite fashionable now for local property commentators to bemoan the lack of office space in Gibraltar. “It’s holding back Gibraltar ’s growth,” they state.

But how can that be? This time last year, Chesterton had over

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5,000m2 of available office space on its books. Checking our records just now, 12 months on, that total remains pretty much the same, albeit some different offices.

There are no readily available property statistics in Gibraltar, so any evidence is anecdotal. In my view, there are two things happen-

ing in the office market.

Firstly, on the demand side, we are dealing with a steady flow of companies coming into Gibraltar requiring office space. The 10% corporation tax rate is the key component in attracting this inflow.

And we are renting space to these companies.

Secondly, on the supply side, the amount of available office space has increased in response to the additional demand. This increase in supply stems from some companies leaving or reducing their space requirements eg Capita, ABN Bank, CTS, to new conversions of older properties (take a walk up Irish

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

property market Town for example) being marketed for rental.

However, where there is a “crisis”, is the availability of modern, open plan space, with natural light, and raised floors for ease of cabling, and suspended ceilings for ease of aircon etc. These are the type of offices being demanded for which the supply is low. So for anyone considering becoming a landlord and undertaking a refurbishment to create new commercial space, my advice is very much to aim for the provision of modern, high quality office space, as it is this type of space where demand exceeds supply.

•••• Energy Use in Buildings We have noticed that since the start of the year, local lawyers are increasingly requiring an Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) from the vendor or landlord before being willing to complete a property transaction. This is usually a bit of a shock to the vendor or landlord, because: the requirement is not really that well known; is not perceived as having much of a benefit to buyer or seller; and it is yet another financial cost to the vendor or landlord of the transaction.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a European Union initiative which was introduced in order to reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions of buildings. The directive was implemented by the EU in order to ensure that Europe’s commitments to the Kyoto climate change protocol were met. The Building (Energy Performance) Rules were introduced by the Gibraltar Government on 4th January 2009.

Government Accredited Energy Assessors are responsible for the preparation of EPCs and associated recommendation reports.

The Directive requires that all buildings (where a building is defined as one that uses energy to condition the indoor climate ie heating or cooling) must be issued with an EPC upon construction, sale or rental. An EPC provides a rating for the energy performance of the building. The ratings are standard so that the energy efficiency of one building can be easily compared

with another building of a similar for tax returns for April 2010/11, missible and if so how it would be type. Whether any buyer or tenant these will need to be sent to HMRC taxed varied depending on who has any interest in actually doing before 31 Jan 2012. we spoke to. so, remains to be seen.

It is a complex area with lots if Expect to pay in excess of £200 for acronyms for different types of •••• an EPC on a one bed apartment. pension, QROPS, QNUPS, ROPS, EU SIPP and Gibraltar approved Purchasing property using pension schemes were a number •••• your pension scheme This month we had an interest- of terms used.

In a future article, we will examUK tax saving on letting ing situation where a client wished income on property anywhere to use the funds in her pension ine the rights and wrongs of using scheme to purchase a property in your own pension monies to invest in the EEA Tax is the predominant reason Gibraltar for investment (buy to let) in Gibraltar property. Anyone with behind many of the transactions purposes. The advice on whether any relevant experience is invited to we undertake for clients. And from such a purchase was indeed per- contact me. n time to time we become aware of some interesting tax planning opportunities. One such opportunity arose recently aimed towards those who pay tax in the UK on letting income from property sited anywhere in the European Economic Area and let commercially. There seems to be some generous tax savings available in the UK which are not well publicised.

UK tax legislation provides a tax break for expenditure on furnished holiday lets for the proportion of the property price for heating, ventilation, swimming pools, sanitary ware, kitchen fittings and electrical installations It seems that few tax advisors are Mike Nicholls is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of aware of this concession applying the Gibraltar Society of Accountants. Mike operates the Chesterton estate agency in Europe. It requires a capital in Gibraltar (www.chesterton.gi) and owns MN Associates Limited, a local company specialising in Gibraltar property, funding & relocation. See www.mn-associates.gi allowances specialist to value the proportion eligible because on purchase, it is very unlikely that there was any split available. No tax relief is available for the land or the bricks and mortar. It is therefore necessary for a specialist to segregate the price paid into the parts which do qualify. A fully disclosed analysis can then be included in your tax return. Typically up to 35% of the price paid for the property may qualify for tax savings.

Suppose you bought a property in Gibraltar or Spain (for example) for £500,000 and let it out for more than 70 days a year. Potentially, this tax concession could provide a saving of up to £75,000. It does not matter when the property was purchased provided you still own it now. For a property of £1m the saving could be £150,000.

There is a short window to benefit from this tax break from now through to 30 January 2012. This is because the UK Government is introducing new laws which are more restrictive. Consequently,

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a European Union initiative which was introduced in order to reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions of buildings GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

33

Buy to let properties in King’s Wharf have been surprisingly successful

Gibraltar Property Market Review 2010/2011 It was widely believed that the delivery of 150 units at Kings Wharf during the start of 2011 would create an oversupply of accommodation and that capital and rental values would fall. The investment strategy changed for those who initially purchased with the intention of re-selling near or at completion. Many have been able to hold on to their property without defaulting, and have focused on “buy to let” opportunities. These speculative investors have now become “buy to let landlords” and take up has so far been surprisingly good.

There have been few distressed sales and most of these have been co-ordinated internally and not sold in the open market via agents. The effect has been that market value has not been as adversely affected as many had originally anticipated.

The first quarter of 2011 saw new build rental yields of approximately 4.0% to 5.5% after taking running costs and purchase costs into consideration (excluding finance costs). This is better than rates for new money on local sterling bank deposits which are currently offered at around

34

We now find ourselves in a position where the cheapest rental stock has been absorbed. Rental values have now settled and look set to grow in the medium to long term

1.5% net for deposits of £250,000 to £500,000.

Rental values for new build apartments oscillated between £220 and £250 per m2 (depending on location) and we now find ourselves in a position where the cheapest rental stock has been absorbed. Rental values have now settled and look set to grow in the medium to long term.

However, when analysed over a 5 year period, rental values have no doubt fallen, especially when you consider older stock which has now been pushed off its pedestal. The influx of new developments has brought in a “new market

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

property market price” and until the supply chain steadies off, rents will not begin to rise to pre-2007 levels.

Looking back to 2005/2006 it was not unusual to find prime two bedroom luxury accommodation in a marina location for £2500 per month. A typical two bedroom in the same location now fetches £1500 – £1800 per month, a 30% to 40% drop in value.

We have to remember the Gibraltar market is small and works in “cycles”. Small changes can have an immediate impact on the market. A company bringing 30 new staff can dry up the rental stock very quickly, pushing prices up.

Likewise, a sudden release of rented accommodation can push prices down.

But how do we compare with Europe’s housing markets? Well, some European countries saw housing market recovery in 2010. The key messages of the RICS European Housing Review 2011 are:

some indices in Spain showed 4% decline on the year - Prices were slightly down in the UK, Netherlands, Poland and Italy - The Baltic States began to recover following major crashes; Unlike previous housing market upswings, price increases are leading other market indicators, such as transactions and housebuilding; Mortgage constraints are affecting many markets, but interest rates are low; There is little evidence of substantial mortgage debt deleveraging by households in countries with high levels of mortgage debt; Housebuilding is down all across Europe and is severely lagging the recovery in most places.

How will this affect the market? Where is the demand coming from?: Betting companies, financial institutions? Theoretically we should keep on growing as more companies decide to relocate to Gibraltar especially if more CAT A office accommodation is provided. Where do they wish to relocate? High specification well • furnished new build apartments with all the typical modern facilities, located in or near town centre locations look like hot favourites.

So the question is, are we experiencing a price • led recovery? If we are, the recovery will be fragile with many peaks and troughs along the way.

• I believe that like the rest of Europe complete recovery will not occur, and I quote from the RICS review “until the markets are fully functioning • again, with plentiful mortgage finance, revived house building and extensive market turnover throughout all sectors. Of course the longer So what is the future? Will prices continue to prices remain strong, the greater the likelihood grow? Where is Gibraltar heading, and where of a more in-depth recovery.” n • The majority of Europe’s housing markets is new supply going to be delivered and when? are undergoing recovery, though some are in dire straits still, while others are positively About the Author booming; Terence Richardson MRICS • Hot north, cold south is the simple geographic ACIOB FNAEA is a Chartered description of Europe’s housing markets: Surveyor and managing - The Nordic countries, Germany and its director of Richardsons at southern neighbours, France and Belgium 1/4 College Lane, Gibraltar. all saw significant rises in real house prices Richardsons with a staff of in 2010 11 is a Gibraltarian multi- Ireland, Hungary and Cyprus experienced disciplinary RICS registered significant falls practice specialising in Estate Agency, Valuation, Property - Spain, Greece and Portugal saw moderate Management and Building falls despite their economic difficulties,

Small changes can have an immediate impact on the market. A company bringing 30 new staff can dry up the rental stock very quickly, pushing prices up

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

Surveying. www.richardsons.gi or Tel: 200 79210

35

real estate

S.LEVY

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

AUCTIONEER, ESTATE AGENT & VALUER

For Property Advice, Contact Us

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

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

chartered surveyors

property directory

Gibraltar Art Gallery 14 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 73898 Email: artgallery@gibtelecom.net Seekers Ltd Property Solutions 10 Engineer Lane Tel: 200 44955 info@seekerspropertysolutions.com www.furnituresolutions.gi

commercial interiors

home insurance

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

Eurolinx 21&22 Victoria House, 26 Main St Tel: 200 40240

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

Ibex Insurance The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 44628

property services

construction

transport services

homes & interiors

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

marine services

TARIK

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

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

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

waste management

• 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

36 36

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 • MAY 2010 2011 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER

property file

Bringing the inside out...

When thinking of total relaxation, nothing compares to the comfort and satisfaction of an outdoor space, which provides a feeling of serenity after a long day. Patios, gardens, decks, or sunrooms can provide some peace and quiet, or an al fresco place to gather over dinner. To maximise the comfort, and make sure that it is truly inviting, furnish your outdoor space with some stylish outdoor furniture.

The variety, styles and materials used for patio furniture are immense, and there are many factors you need to consider when going shopping.

Materials as diverse as wood, wicker, plastic or metal, are suitable for different applications, and factors such as weather conditions come into play. For instance, if

you are furnishing an apartment terrace, consider the weight of the item. It you intend to leave the items outside year round, a sudden gust of wind may see your furniture take to the air if it is too light.

When it comes to decorating your outdoor space, make sure

you choose furnishings that provide you with comfort, and suits the existing decor of your home for a unified look.

When putting together patio designs you will need to keep in mind the space you have to work with. Taking the exact measurements with you when choosing

furniture will keep you from buying unneeded pieces, or ones that are too large to walk around!

The marketplace is full of contemporary outdoor sets, with emphasis on sleek and clean designs from sofas and coffee tables, to benches and lounge chairs. And if you choose well they will last you for many summers to come. n

Photo: Kettal

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

37

events

Standing Left to Right: Darren Vickers, Jack Noble and John Murphy of Gib ICWCI

Excelling Standards in Construction

by Kirsten Openshaw

Gibraltar now has its own branch of the Institute of Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate (Gib ICWCI). Its membership comprises professionally qualified members of the ICWCI and all are locally based and employed in the local construction industry.

“The role of the Clerk of Works/ Construction Inspector today remains a vital as ever, to ensure quality of workmanship and materials used in building and construction as well as promoting Health and Safety on construction sites in general,” says Secretary and Founder Member John R Murphy, the driving force behind the move to found the branch in Gibraltar. “The role of the Site Inspector/CoW is a rather insular one,” explains John, “becoming a member of the institute provides support from fellow professionals as well as continuing professional development (CPD) in the form of monthly seminars etc.”

A Clerk of Works/Construction inspector is appointed by a client to oversee a construction project, ensuring defined high standards of work and safety are met. This gives the client peace of mind, and ensures workers are employed within a safe working environment, while avoiding costly mis-

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takes or corner cutting.

“At Gib ICWCI we firmly believe that to promote quality of materials and workmanship and therefore value for money in construction projects, as well as promote H&S, only professionally qualified and experienced CoWs/ Construction Inspectors should be engaged,” says John Murphy, Branch Secretary. “Gifford (Gibraltar) as well as the Montagu Group have strongly supported this aspiration, in that all their permanently engaged Inspectors and Supervisors are now professionally qualified members of the Gib

“

ICWCI.” The establishing of the ICWCI branch in Gibraltar, as well as the formation of its own Professional Interview Panel, is a step towards promoting quality and Health & Safety in Gibraltar. It also means, for the first time, applicants for membership of the institute can be interviewed in Gibraltar by a locally based panel of professionals, including representatives from Gibraltar Building Control, architects and engineers.

The unique situation of Gibraltar requires Construction Inspectors to be specifically experienced and

A Clerk of Works/Construction inspector is appointed by a client to oversee a construction project, ensuring defined high standards of work and safety are met

”

conversant with the standards and materials in common use in local building and construction.

“To arrive at this point has been a relatively drawn out process involving canvassing for sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and experienced local candidates for membership, then arranging initial interviews conducted locally by a visiting panel from the UK,” John explains. “Once sufficient numbers had been attained, Gibraltar was then in a position to merit the founding of its own branch.”

The inauguration ceremony took place last year and was strongly supported and attended by members of the Government, developers such as the Montagu Group and Gifford (Gibraltar) who not only provided the venue for the ceremony but also strongly encouraged and supported the initiative. The local active membership now numbers 16. The Chairman of the Branch is Michael Pizzarello, FICWCI.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

property expertise In keeping with the recent change of title by the institute from the traditional ‘ICW’ to ‘ICWCI’ to include Construction Inspectorate, the local membership encompasses a wide range of expertise and disciplines. Varying from architects and engineers, to the latest student member, Kaine Bosano, who is presently undertaking a foundation degree course under the guidance and mentoring of the Gibraltar ICWCI. “Membership of the Gib ICWCI branch offers a unique pooling of expertise over a wide spread of disciplines in the building and construction industry particular to Gibraltar,” adds Chapter Representative Darren Vickers.

Health & Safety are major concerns in the building and construction industry worldwide — there were 42 fatalities in the UK construction industry last year alone.

As part of its H&S drive, the Gibraltar ICWCI is promoting the introduction of CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards — a sort of passport system for entry onto a construction site, which is in widespread use in the UK on building sites. It is proof that the bearer has completed a minimum examination in basic H&S on site.

Gib ICWCI is being supported by

the Gibraltar Government Training Centre in its bid to promote the introduction of this system in Gibraltar.

Gaining membership of the ICWCI involves submitting an application together with the usual details of experience and qualifications. This can be done either directly to the UK or to the local branch. An essential part of the application procedure is the Professional Interview. It is no longer necessary to travel to the UK for this — it can be conducted locally by the Gib ICWCI Interview Panel, chaired by Michael Pizzarello.

“This is actually an advantage for the candidate because he will not be questioned about materials that are used in the UK but not in Gibraltar!” John adds. Routes to membership vary but overall the candidate needs to demonstrate a combination of sufficient experience, knowledge/qualifications.

The Gib ICWCI holds monthly seminars at the John Mackintosh Hall, details are published on their website. The website also has a forum where non members are welcome to participate. n For information about the Gib ICWCI visit www.gibicwci.org

Recent construction in Gibraltar has been so extensive it has even changed the shape of the Rock as in reclamation projects like the Royal Yacht Club Marina & No 4 Dock for phase 2 of the Government Housing Scheme (pictured)

“

Becoming a member of the institute provides support from fellow professionals as well as continuing professional development GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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gibraltar on screen

to Erich von Stroheim claimed be an Austrian nobleman

Did it Happen in Gibraltar?

by Dave Wood

1938 was, for many, the last year of innocence. Europe had been at peace for two decades, a generation had grown to maturity knowing nothing of the horrors of World War I, and toothbrush moustaches were still connected in the public mind with Charlie Chaplin and not that fellow — was his name Hitler? — who was Chancellor of Germany. Most people, in any case, couldn’t name the Chancellor of Germany if they were offered a thousand pounds for doing so.

The wonder of the age — hardly a decade old — was talking pictures. It didn’t matter if the stories they told were outlandish and unbelievable. That was their chief attraction. They offered an hour or two’s escape into a world of fantasy and adventure, and if you had a beautiful girlfriend or a handsome boyfriend to share them with in the back row of the local fleapit — someone to cling to when the action became particularly exciting or the tension too much to bear, or you just wanted to pretend that it had, so much the better.

Into this gentler, less sophisticated, far off world came a film called It Happened In Gibraltar.

They were strange times. The outbreak of war in September 1939 shattered the world into a thousand pieces that would never be put together in quite the same order again, yet beneath the seething turmoil things still moved at the old, lethargic tomorrow-is-soon-enough pace. Thus it was Bosley Crowther (crazy name, crazy guy), film critic of the New York Times, didn’t get to review the film until November 1943. He was perceptive enough to note the epoch-making events in Europe and the Far East had already

40

made it a period piece: a flashback to an age still close enough to leave the heady smell of its perfume tantalisingly in the air, but distant enough to be hung with the first dew of nostalgia.

It Happened In Gibraltar, said the title, but most of it didn’t. It was a French film directed by an émigré Russian, Fedor Ozep (Fyodor Otsep). In 1916, while he was a student at the University of Moscow, he had adapted Alexander Pushkin’s story, Queen Of Spades, for the screen. Its success led to a career as a screenwriter and director and in 1928 he moved to Germany to direct The Living Corpse, based on a tale by Leo Tolstoy.

Ozep never returned to Russia. When the

While still in her teens she became a dancer at the Moulin Rouge, but it wasn’t until she was voted Miss Paris 1930 that she was spotted by a movie talent scout

Nazis came to power in Germany he moved on to France where he continued to make films, including It Happened In Gibraltar. At the outbreak of World War II he was placed in an internment camp from which, curiously, he was released when France fell to the Germans. He moved on to Morocco and ultimately to the United States where he died in 1949, in his early 50s.

Despite its title, much of the action of It Happened In Gibraltar takes place across the Strait in Morocco. Mercedes, played by Viviane Romance, is an irresistibly beautiful seductress singing torch songs in a Tangier cabaret who spins her hypnotic web around a British officer — the blandly named Robert Jackson (played by Roger Duchesne) — whose state-of-the-art stiff upper lip seems no match for her sensual charms. He is putty in her hands: hypnotized and helpless. He whispers all the secrets she has pledged to learn on behalf of her sinister masters.

Or so it seems. Jackson, of course, turns out to be a cool-headed counter-spy merely pretending to be her whimpering slave. Oscar Wilde could famously resist everything but temptation. British army officers in the service of their country could resist even that. “I’m sorry, madam, this

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

gibraltar on screen really IS a gun in my pocket — I’m actually not too pleased to see you at all”.

Viviane Romance, Roger Duchesne — the kind of names you expected to see on posters outside cinemas once upon a time. Names that dripped with the magic of the silver screen; names that spelled out S-T-A-R in that magic land you were able to enter simply by handing over sixpence at the box office and settling down in the darkness with a bucket of popcorn. It is hard to imagine It Happened In Gibraltar would have been quite so attractive, even in 1938, if its leading actors had been billed as, say, Pauline Ortmanns and Roger Jordaens — their real names. So, like butterflies emerging from a chrysalis, the two of them shed their humdrum everyday personas, left this world and entered the world beyond the silver screen.

Pauline Ronacher Ortmanns was born in Roubaix, France on 4th July 1912. While still in her teens she became a dancer at the Moulin Rouge, but it wasn’t until she was voted Miss Paris 1930 that she was spotted by a movie talent scout and signed up for her first brief role in a 1931 film called La Chienne (The Bitch). Eat your heart out, Joan Collins.

Her career was helped rather than hindered by the fact her election as Miss Paris had caused a storm when it was revealed that (remember, this was in 1930) although she was unmarried, she had borne a child. Not the sort of thing, in those days, young ladies took to the stage of the Jeremy Kyle Show to broadcast proudly to the world.

Her first notable performance came in 1936 when she played a classic femme fatale in La Belle Équipe (The Beautiful Team) in which the attempts of five unemployed Parisian workers to turn a derelict house into a dance café come to nought when two of them — Jeannot and Charlot — fall in love with her and drown in testosterone.

Viviane Romance might today have been much better known than she is. After La Belle Équipe she had offers to make films in Hollywood, but turned them down. She preferred to stay in France, and latterly in Italy, where she continued to make films until 1974. She died on 25th September 1991.

Roger Duchesne was perhaps a tad unconvincing in his portrayal of an unflappable, stiff-upper lipped British officer, but it was a big ask for a lad, a garçon, born in Luxeuil-les-Bains, as he was on 27th July 1906. So far as is known he was never offered a Hollywood contract, but he did make 30 films in France between 1934 and 1957.

Ironically, his greatest success came towards the end of his career in 1956 when he played the title role in Bob Le Flambeur (Bob The Gambler).

The fact he continued to make films in France until the late 1950s is surprising, since he was widely suspected of collaborating with the Gestapo in occupied France during the 1940s.

His career as a film actor lasted 20 years. His life as an ex-film actor lasted twice as long, and he was virtually forgotten, even in France, when

he died on Christmas Day 1996 at the age of 90.

But the real star of It Happened In Gibraltar was undoubtedly the eccentric genius (some might say brilliant but barmy) Erich von Stroheim. Stroheim claimed to be an Austrian nobleman, Count Erich Oswald Hans Carl Maria von Stroheim und Nordenwall. In fact, his father was a hatmaker and his real name was simply Erich Oswald Stroheim. Much of his life was a self-perpetuated mystery. Though born in Vienna in 1885, and claiming aristocratic Austrian descent, he apparently spoke little German, and when playing the role of a villainous Hun (in which he specialised) it was said he had to learn his lines by rote.

He claimed this was because he had “forgotten” his native tongue.

What is certain is, by the outbreak of World War I in 1914, he had already made his way to the fledgling movie town of Hollywood where as well as working as an extra and uncredited bit player in several films, he promoted himself as a consultant on all things German. He revelled in his growing notoriety and became known as “The Man You Love To Hate”. It was box office dynamite.

In 1918, Universal Pictures belatedly decided to help the war effort by making a propaganda film called The Heart of Humanity, in which the evil inhumanity of the German enemy was parodied to grotesque proportions. Von Stroheim was perfect for the part. Imagine the inflamed passions of the audience as von Stroheim, as a lust-crazed villainous Hun, bit the buttons from a nurse’s uniform as he attempted to rape her and then employed the novel method of silencing a crying baby by throwing it out of a window. Given the inability then, as now, for a sizeable chunk of the public to disentangle reality from what they saw on the screen, it is a minor miracle that the instantly recognisable von Stroheim was able to walk the streets without getting himself lynched.

Von Stroheim’s life and career were a constant kaleidoscope of triumph, failure and controversy

Though born in Vienna in 1885, and claiming aristocratic Austrian descent, he apparently spoke little German, claiming this was because he had “forgotten” his native tongue

Zarzuela: Teatro Lirico Andaluz The popular Teatro Lirico Andaluz will perform La Cancion del Olvido in Gibraltar in June as part of the Spring Festival.

Pino, considered one of the best baritones in Spain, and Ruth Terán, who is currently performing with Placido Domingo.

Boasting a stellar cast and a 24 piece orchestra, artists include baritone Andrés del

Performances will be held at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre on the Wednesday 1st

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAy 2011

which it is impossible to encapsulate in the space available to us. Few people today, except for the most dedicated of film buffs, remember the button chomping and baby tossing of 1918’s The Heart of Humanity, but there are many who still fondly recall his performance as Max von Mayerling in Billy Wilder’s 1950 masterpiece, Sunset Boulevard, alongside another great star of the silent film era, Gloria Swanson. There was more than a touch of the autobiographical in both their roles.

Von Stroheim ended his life in France, where he was revered for his early work. He acted in a few films, wrote a handful of reasonably successful novels, and was always working on new film projects of his own, none of which ever saw the light of day. He died in 1957, aged 71.

So, back to It Happened In Gibraltar, and what do we have? A French film, directed by a Russian, shot in France starring two minor French stars and an errant Austrian genius who fancied himself a Count but spoke abysmal German and in which a great deal of the action takes place in Morocco.

Within a year of its release none of this would matter. Germany would invade Poland and the world of It Happened In Gibraltar would be swept away forever. Popcorn anyone? n

and Thursday 2nd June 2011 at 8pm.

Tickets, priced at £5, will be on sale at the Nature Shop in Casemates Square from Monday 9th May, weekdays 12-4pm. Sale of tickets is limited to 10 per person.

This event is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Santos Productions. n

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history revisited Occasionally teasing the crowds by playing some of his favourite bass lines from Queen, Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden, Glen has been a part of One Minute Silence for more than 15 years, performing all over the world, and after a seven-year hiatus, the band have reunited, and are working towards their fourth album.

Glen describes his childhood in Gibraltar as having “the average upbringing, not unlike most kids in Gibraltar. It came with ups and downs, but I mostly remember having friends and close family, and a feeling of security.” He kept busy playing with many of the musicians who were performing locally at the time, such as Danny Felice (now guitarist with Breed 77), Adrian Pisarello, Alan Alman, Brian Montovio, Giles Ramirez, Adrian Pozo and James Holland.

After moving to the UK, Glen worked with Danny from Breed 77 originally, but decided it would be very difficult to complete the line-up, so they decided to look elsewhere. “I joined two guys in a band called Near Death Experience. I had replied to an ad in a music paper.

My first gig with them was eight days after joining, and our first gig had around eight people in the crowd, six of whom were Gibraltarian,” Glen chuckles. “It was at the original Mean Fiddler, where we were spotted by one

Glen on bass

Photo by Harry Leckstein

“ Glen Diani:

The Best of Bass

by Jolene Gomez

Although Glen Diani had always been involved in music, he began his journey as a musician after being given his first bass guitar by his cousin Lionel. “When he gave me the guitar, my dreams became tangible. I packed my bags, moved to the UK, to live the rock and roll dream and to be in a band playing bass.” Those readers who have had the pleasure of seeing Glen perform on stage, will know he is a dynamic, energetic and entertaining performer — not to mention a virtuosic bass player.

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So many things I dreamt about as a kid I managed to experience — playing at Donnington Park, UK, and Red Rocks, Colorado, and meeting a lot of musicians who I admired

”

of the guys from the Pogues, who went on to offer us occasional support slots with his then band The Men They Couldn’t Hang. It’s funny how time flies — we’ve known each other for around 15 years now.”

The fact is Glen’s journey with One Minute Silence, producing what he describes as “antislavery music”, has managed to achieve a respectable fan base for him, and the opportunity to experience many of his artistic dreams. “So many things I dreamt about as a kid I managed to experience — playing at Donnington Park, UK, and Red Rocks, Colorado, and meeting a lot of musicians who I admired. In fact, the amount of people you meet as a result of travelling so much has really impacted me.”

As an artist, he states his first major influence was Bob Marley, but it was Steve Harris from Iron Maiden who really narrowed down which instrument he was going to play. Today there are too many artists to mention — Peter Gabriel, Triana, Bjork, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, Nick Drake — the list goes on. “But the people who are really worth looking up to are not in the music industry, such as Che Guevara and Ghandi,” Glen states.

Although the list of places where Glen has performed is exhaustingly long, they vary from

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

rock events

One Minute Silence

“

the two of us, and Yap writes all his lyrics and melodies. But what we really want is to make sure we remain true to ourselves, rather than to surrender to other people’s expectations of us,” Glen explains.

With regards to gigs and tours, there have been many offers up to now, “but as we are busy writing material for our album, we’ve committed to very few, one of them being Sonisphere 2011. We also have plans for gigs in Spain. It’s funny, as when I was in Gibraltar, I spent every moment trying to play outside of Gibraltar, but now that I have played around the world, I’d love to come back home to play,” Glen says.

Glen would like to thank his family and friends for their support during his career, and has some advice for aspiring musicians.

“Nothing lands in your lap — you’ve got to create your own chances. The only time that you can fail is when you give up trying. It’s also important to establish a real friendship with your band mates, because you’ll spend so much time together, you need to know you’re around friends, and not just business associates.”

With so much musical talent emerging from our tiny rock, we asked Glen what made our musicians special?

“There’s always been an abundance of talent

One of my most bizarre experiences was sharing the green room with Morgan Freeman when waiting to play at a TV Show — that was just surreal

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

”

in Gibraltar whether it’s music, sports, or more importantly, the art of making mouth-watering tapas! Our uniqueness has got to come from the combination of having the diverse cultural input from Morocco, Spain and England and the defiant spirit of always having an empire trying to tell us that we’re merely somebody else’s belongings. Either that or they must have put an extra ingredient in the prawns in La Caleta,” Glen smiles. n For more information on Glen and One Minute Silence, please view their Facebook page http:// www.facebook.com/#!/oneminutesilence.band or their Youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/ OneMinuteSilenceBand

Glen Diani - bass player extraordinaire

Photo by Harry Leckstein

Mount Fuji in Japan, to the Austrian Alps, to the racing track in Jerez! “Having played at so many festivals, I have shared the bill with artists and bands from Bob Dylan, to Metallica, Joe Strummer, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and the Prodigy. One of my most bizarre experiences was sharing the green room with Morgan Freeman when waiting to play at a TV Show — that was just surreal.”

For Glen, his biggest achievement has been to recognise his path, and manage to stay on it — and to recognise the qualities in the people who have helped him to achieve the best in him. During One Minute Silence’s seven-year hiatus, he worked with his other band which also has a record deal, and is putting the finishing touches to the album, although that project has now been put on hold.

So what can we expect from One Minute Silence?

“To write an album that we can be really proud of. Our songs tend to be about our quality of life, and the forces that prevent us from being truly free, and we want to keep it this way. Our music has evolved a lot, as we’ve experimented more with different arrangements and time signatures. We are adding loads of different sounds, and not limiting ourselves to bass, drum and guitar. Music comes from either Massy, or me, or can be a combination of

Photo by Stefan Ferreira

43

Whether it be a political, sporting, cultural or any event for that matter, there is always a familiar face peering from behind his camera, trying to get the best shot possible. Johnny Bugeja can be seen capturing what goes on around Gibraltar, no matter what time of day or year. We had a chat with the man with the camera, to find out what his life has been like during his many years in photo journalism.

Johnny on site

Johnny Bugeja’s

Life through the Lens J

ohnny’s interest in photography sparked

when he was 10 years old, during a trip

to vistit relatives in the picturesque white villages in nearby Spain. “With my dad’s Kodak box camera, which had limited choice of shutter speeds, lens opening and focusing control, we took photos of the ‘Moros and Cristianos’ festival. I remember one of the photos was really great, and this got me interested.

Photography became my hobby throughout my 34 year career in the Ministry of Defence, before opting for early retirement to pursue my love of photography, and set up my own photographic studio,” Johnny explains.

His career as a photographer however started in a pretty unlikely way, during a drink with friends. The late Eddie Campello, editor of Vox, asked him if he would like to take photos for his newspaper of the honeymoon visit of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. “I was positioned with the media at the airport, which was a great experience for me, and I was very pleased with my results,” he remembers.

Johnny decided to move onto a better camera and chose a Canon AE1, which developed his preference for this brand, especially Canon

44

by Jolene Gomez

fast lenses, which enable him to take good photos in poor lighting conditions. “My enthusiasm for my then hobby made me want to learn more about the profession, and practise to make sure I would be able to produce quality work which was my aim.”

Coming from an older generation of photographers, he prefers film to digital photography.

“In a dark room, the quality is better in my

“

Digital photography is fast and efficient, especially with regards to journalism, where you need to have access to these photos on a daily basis. But I will always prefer my dark room

”

Johnny at a Champions League match

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

personality profile opinion, although the process is more painstaking and time consuming. I even have a few anecdotes myself, as during the film processing stage, I have cut the film and shutter curtain at the same time,” he chuckles. “Digital photography is fast and efficient, especially with regards to journalism, where you need to have access to these photos on a daily basis.

But I will always prefer my dark room.”

In the profession now for three decades, Johnny has had the privilege of meeting many celebrities along the way. From Felipe Gonzalez to Margaret Thatcher, Manolo Escobar to Elton John, and Princess Anne to the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as various political figures, other members of the royal family, famous singers and musicians, TV stars and top football players, and even the first man in space — they have all been “shot” by Johnny.

Through his photographs, we have been able to see Gibraltar represented abroad on many occasions, as he has travelled to many countries through his work, covering events such as the Island Games. He has accompanied the Chief Minister to the UK and the tripartite talks in Spain and travelled with the Prince Charles and Princess Diana Royal Gibraltar Regiment to Morocco, Earl’s on their visit in 1981 Court and Buckingham Palace to name a few assignments.

It is not, however, all about taking photos of celebrities and royals, as throughout his extensive career in photography, Johnny has also experienced some tense situations. “During the fisherman’s dispute, I was stuck on the Spanish side of the border, when the frontier closed. There was a lot of tension, and I had only popped over into Spain to take the photo and come back — I was there for hours not knowing what the outcome could be, or when during his younger years, Johnny enjoys his Take Two, and Taxi respectively. “But although I would get home,” Johnny explains. music, and his son’s Jonathan and Daniel have I love music, photography has always been An avid music fan, and a saxophone player taken after him, by playing in successful bands my passion. A good photographer is one who

“

During the fisherman’s dispute, I was stuck on the Spanish side of the border, when the frontier closed.

There was a lot of tension — I was there for hours not knowing when I would get home

”

Miss World 2009, Kaiane Aldorino at her homecoming to Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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artists

Shot of a demonstration

is able to convey a theme, focus attention, and simplify a subject by excluding other elements that distract the theme. I like to photograph anything that catches my eye — anything that makes me stop and look. Every photo offers me new challenges, and a new experience,” he explains.

His proudest moment as a photographer was being presented with the Gibraltar Award in April 1995, in recognition of his services to local photojournalism. Although he does not have a favourite photograph to speak of,

“

he enjoys seeing photographs taken by the Reuters team of more than 600 photographers working across the globe, providing a tribute to action photography.

Lastly Johnny would like to pay tribute to his late wife, who passed away recently. “She always encouraged me and helped me to succeed when I ventured into photography, even though she did not fully understand some of the different assignments. She played a very effective and supportive role in the background, and I am eternally grateful for that.”n

I like to photograph anything that catches my eye ­ — anything that makes me stop and look. Every photo offers me new challenges, and a new experience

”

Scenery up the Rock

Happy Retirement Aurelio...

We wish Mr Aurelio Agius (pictured with Mr Laoudi) a very very happy retirement after 27 years as the porter at Gibraltar Heights.

photo by Tessa Imossi

A familiar friendly face to office staff and residents for nearly three decades Aurelio will be putting his feet up and enjoying a well earned rest. n

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Free Wi-Fi at King’s Bastion Leisure Centre There is now free Wi-Fi access throughout King’s Bastion Leisure Centre.

Anybody requiring guidance in accessing this new facility should contact the Duty Manger at King’s Bastion Leisure Centre. The Duty Manager’s Office is located on the ground floor. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

fashion

leisure & sport

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

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

shopping & gifts

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

Retail& Activities pets & accessories

lessons & tuition

GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

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

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

hair & beauty

hobbies & pastimes

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

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

photography

travel & hotels

Tel: 200 73786

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

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

newsagents/books

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

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAziNE • • MAY MAY 2011 2011

47 47

Dr. Marco Vricella, HC Marbella Hospital

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Susana, living in Gibraltar, had large breasts which caused her severe neck and backache, whilst her bra straps cut into her shoulders and she had skin irritation under the breasts, especially in hot weather.

Susana was a size 16 on top and a size 10 on the bottom, so she felt very ‘top heavy’ and embarrassed by her breast size. She explains, “I had been considering breast reduction surgery for ten years but kept putting it off. Finally at the beginning of last year I decided I wasn’t going to go through another summer being embarrassed to wear a swimsuit, not to mention putting up with constant pain in my neck and shoulders. A friend of mine recently had a breast reduction with Dr. Marco Vricella, so I spoke to her and she encouraged me to go and see him at College Clinic here in Gibraltar for a free consultation�.

Having a breast reduction, or ‘reduction mamoplasty’ can help women like Susana regain balance in their figure; reduce or eliminate associated back and neck pain;

60

make exercise easier, remove skin irritation and significantly improve self confidence.

After Susana had spoken to Dr. Marco Vricella and had been fully informed about the procedure, such as what to expect, the benefits, the potential risks, recovery time and healing, she felt confident to proceed. “When I arrived at Marbella’s HC International Hospital, from the offset I was looked after wonderfully by the nursing staff who speak both English and Spanish� says Susanna. She continues, “My husband was able to stay with me in my beautiful private room which helped me feel much more relaxed and he was given a bed so that he was comfortable the whole time too!�

The procedure took about three hours and Susana stayed at the HCI Hospital, where Dr. Marco Vricella is Director of the Cosmetic Surgery Unit, for two nights before leaving for home in Gibraltar. “I was visited at home in Gibraltar the following week by Damien Moore, Aria’s Specialist Nurse, and Louise Truelove, the Patient Care Co-Ordinator; and the following week I saw Dr. Vricella again at College

Clinic to have my sutures removed� confirms Susanna. “I’ve since had four more follow up appointments at College Clinic in Gibraltar, so the service has been excellent and everything has been really convenient for me and easy to fit into my schedule.�

The results for Susana have been excellent.

She explains, “Now, nine months on, I feel and look like a new woman! I absolutely adore my new body; I can wear clothes that previously I could not have even considered wearing and my permanent back and neck ache has completely disappeared. I’m so much more confident in myself and I know it sounds like a clichĂŠ, but I really wish I’d done it years ago!â€?.

For information on Marbella High Care International Hospital and to see a virtual tour please visit: www.marbellahighcare.com Dr. Vricella holds free consultations at College Clinic, Regal House, Gibraltar every 2 weeks – for dates and to book an appointment please call 00 34 952 895 088 or email: info@ariamedicalgroup.com :

www.ariamedicalgroup.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JANUARY 2011

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

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE •JANUARY 2011

FREE Consultations | Gibraltar |

Marbella

|

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Madrid

well-being

Mills and Mills clinic

Expansion for Mills & Mills Mills & Mills Medical Group, a cosmetic surgery, weight loss surgery and dentistry group which offers consultations in Gibraltar, is expanding its operations due to the investment of The Hospital Group, the largest weightloss surgery provider in Europe.

David Mills, co-founder of Mills & Mills, has also been appointed Chief Executive of the newly acquired cosmetic surgery company Surgicare, which was purchased in October 2010 by the Hospital Group, a group which already has a large share in the UK cosmetic surgery market as well a major stake in Mills & Mills Medical Group.

The roll out plan of new clinics has begun, starting with the expansion of the business throughout Spain with clinics opening this year in Barcelona in April, Madrid in August, Alicante in September and, closer to home, a new clinic in Marbella where Mills & Mills is based.

Mills & Mills is generally considered to be the largest provider of cosmetic surgery in Gibraltar,

50

and certainly one of the best known, explains David Mills, adding that breast enlargement is still the most popular procedure in the area. Free consultations are held at the College Clinic, Regal House, Queensway as are free checks-ups post surgery. Mills & Mills also offers the “Circle of Care” concept where and lifetime aftercare is included for all patients. Providing medical excellence and value for money, Mills & Mills is the largest British cosmetic surgery group in the area, which gives English

speaking clients the comforting knowledge they will always be able to communicate easily with surgeons, doctors and nurses.

Package deals are available if you would like to travel further afield for surgery and include a luxury holiday with cosmetic surgery, which is now possible with the expansion of the Mills & Mills brand. In the past most patients from Gibraltar went to Marbella for surgery and came straight home. With Mills & Mills extending its business it is pos-

sible to have surgery in holiday destinations thoughout Spain, or even back in the UK. Clients can combine surgery with a choice of a trip to Madrid or Barcelona, see the sights and recover in peace and relaxation. Or those who prefer to travel to the UK can benefit from flights and hotels of choice included to suit all budgets and aftercare in Gibraltar.

If the up front cost of surgery and a holiday is a concern, Mills & Mills offer a finance plan for easy repayments, although on a recent visit to Gibraltar, Chief Executive David Mills explained that Mills & Mills is up to 30% cheaper on cosmetic surgery and 50% cheaper on cosmetic dentistry compared to most in the UK. Similar savings are to be found on weight loss surgery, such as the Gastric band. Clients are in safe hands too, he says, as surgery takes place in their choice of prestigious and stunning hospitals which have private and luxury medical facilities, as well as GMC registered surgeons, and dedicated doctors and nurses on hand, supported by the latest medical equipment and 24 hour aftercare.

“I had discussions with four other companies but did not have a full consultation as I had partially made up my mind...” says one client who had a breast enlargement and tummy tuck at Mills & Mills. “The consultant was respectful of my decision to have cosmetic surgery; he was empathetic and ensured I was comfortable with the decision I had made. It had taken years to finally make the decision and I was not disappointed.”

The expansion of Mills & Mills in both Spain and the UK, made possible by the investment of The Hospital Group, broadens the possibilities of having surgery performed by qualified British surgeons close to Gibraltar. Package deals, free consultation and free check-ups in Gibraltar as well as a finance plan means cosmetic surgery is now within easy reach of Gibraltar residents considering procedures. n For more information on Mills & Mills Medical Group and its Gibraltar consultancies call + 34 952 900 366 or visit www.millsmedicalgroup.es

In the past most patients from Gibraltar went to Marbella for surgery and came straight home. With Mills & Mills extending its business it is possible to have surgery in holiday destinations

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

beauty & well being

Say Hello to Shellac! at Roots Shellac UV3 Technology, the new revolutionary nail colour that lasts for two weeks, is now available at Roots. Shellac is applied in the salon like a normal nail varnish and cured under a UV light, like gel.

Better science makes better products. The patent pending formulation of solvents, monomers and polymers is why Shellac goes on like polish, wears like gel and removes in minutes. Plus it is hypo allergenic and 3-Free… containing no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. Shellac stands miles apart from others in the market with the science and testing to back it up. Nail Professionals who participated in more than 4 years of controlled, blind testing said unanimously

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

“there’s no comparison — not even close!”

Like any quality polish application, the Shellac system features a Base Coat, Colour Coat and Top Coat. Together with a UV lamp, they comprise the breakthrough in resilient colour that remains flawless for two weeks and removes in 10 minutes.

The outcome is amazing given its high shine finish. There is no need to buff or file the nails and hence it causes no damage, as

other similar products do. How often have you left for that party with your nails still not totally dry? Or have you ended up with a smudged nail? With Shellac there is no drying time, when you leave the salon your nails are totally dry and smudge free.

If you want to experience this amazing product and enjoy well manicured hands, make yourself an appointment at Roots, 9 George’s Lane, Gibraltar, Tel 20073786. It will be your first of many!

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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

health & medical directory CHEMISTS

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

PASSANO OPTICIANS LTD

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

Tel: 200 44797

British Registered Optometrists

Chiropodists

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

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

For all your Pharmaceutical needs

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

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

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

Tel: 200 77777

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

Need somebody to talk to?

7 days a week 6-10pm

64 52 what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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

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

PERSONAL TRAINERS

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

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

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

SPECIALISTS

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

l

health & wellbeing By 19th century the few remaining hospices offered an alternative to the “charitable hospitals for incurables” and workhouses, which were supposed to care for the sick and destitute, but were dreaded by the people they were supposed to help.

From these early beginnings it can be seen how today’s hospices became involved in looking after the very ill. The word “hospice” as a description of a place which cared solely for people who were dying, was first used in 1842

by Mme. Jeanne Garnier in France. When the Sisters of Charity began their work in Ireland in 1879 they used the same word, quite independently, to describe their institution.

The establishment of hospices in the UK as places for the care of people with incurable illnesses began in 1885 in Scotland at what is now called Saint Columba’s Hospice, Edinburgh.

In 1891, the Hostel of God (now Trinity Hospice, Clapham, London) was opened by the Sisters of Margaret. It was established through an appeal by the Hoare family (famous bankers) to fund a home for people in the “advance stage of mortal illness”.

This started the heavy reliance on charitable giving which still continues in the hospice The new Lady Williams’ Cancer Support Centre movement and without which many hospices simply would not survive.

This approach is achieved in Gibraltar through the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief which concerns itself with the training of paliative care nurses, now known as cancer relief nurses, to provide “hospice at home” facilities

by Dr. Shehzada Javied Malik for those in need. This movement was initiated in Gibraltar by Mary Dolding and supported The Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief has announced that the Lady by Lady Williams and Hospital Administrator Mr. Bromley in 1981, and is now run by Williams’ Cancer Support Centre in Devil’s Tower Road, which has Marisa Desoiza, a dynamic personality, and her extremely dedicated team. accommodated all the society’s services for over 20 years, will be The Lady Williams’ Cancer Support Cenmoving to new premises in the next few months. tre has provided support for people living with cancer in the community for 25 years. It The new building will house the services those that remained became almshouses for provides a relaxed, friendly and welcoming offered at present by the society such as day the elderly and continued their work helping environment where people can meet for support and to get information. n and respite care, a purpose built area for nurs- travellers. ing treatments, complementary therapies and bereavement care. As in the past, the new Cancer Support Centre will also be available to other local cancer charities.

The Lady Williams’ Cancer Support Centre forms part of Gibraltar’s contribution to the hospice movement, which began in Europe during 11th and 12th centuries. Then, hospices were primarily monasteries but they opened their doors to welcome travellers who were in need of rest, shelter and food. Those who were ill were looked after until they were well enough to continue their journey.

The meaning of the word “hospis”, is “a host and guest” and the Latin “hospitalis”means “friendly welcome to a stranger.” From this derives the word “hospitality”.

After the Reformation in which many convents, monasteries and priories were closed

Lady Williams’ Cancer Support Centre

Caring Past & Present

Selena Victory, Eddie Holmes, Cheryl Young, Christine Gill and Maria Johnson

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

53

Families Anonymous: supporting the supporter

by Elena Scialtiel

When someone is stuck in a vicious circle of addiction, their whole family become addict to the addict. Too often families enable their addicts to keep abusing alcohol and drugs either by providing them with money to afford it, or by advancing unrealistic demands to quit altogether.

Hence emotional blackmail becomes a common tool to control relatives while nurturing the addiction. Children may manipulate their parents with suicidal (less often homicidal) threats, while addicted spouses may become violent — and it is hard for the beaten to understand it is the substance doing the hitting, and not the person under the influence.

The rational thing to do is not victimise oneself or the addict, but take a step back, shed any shattered emotions and analyse the situation objectively. And when one realises daily life is disrupted, it is time to join Families Anonymous, a mutual support group designed to help family and friends of people with a current, suspected or former drug problem, offering them a confidential forum in which to share anxieties and experiences.

Attending these meetings can make family members change their approach to their ‘black sheep’ from destructive to constructive.

54

Although accepting that substance abuse is an illness beyond everyone’s control, and ultimately the decision to quit lies with the addict and the addict alone, relatives eventually come to terms with it and, if powerless to make it better, at least they will not stand in the way of recovery with ‘short-term fix but long-term damage’ behaviour.

Families Anonymous was founded in 1971 in the United States, and spread to this side of the pond in 1980, on the model of the 12 steps devised by Alcoholic Anonymous.

In Gibraltar it has been established for 20 years, with weekly meetings every Thursday at Nazareth House at 9pm. The group also has a website, http://gibfanon.wordpress. com, where its purpose is described

as “recovery from the effects of a loved one’s addictions”.

This means you can join FA even if the relative you’re concerned about isn’t in Alcoholics, Narcotics, Gamblers or Overeaters Anonymous. It is a bit of an anecdote in fact, that one man, who couldn’t admit he had a problem with the bottle, was happy to drive his wife to FA meetings because she had a problem — with him!

Don’t expect to find a room packed with people who stand up to state their name and story, like in American movies. Gibraltar FamAnon is a cosy affair, where a small group has a bond in supporting and strengthening each other towards a positive approach, banking on each other’s feedback

Gibraltar FamAnon is a cosy affair, where a small group has a bond in supporting and strengthening each other towards a positive approach

and working together to figure out the best strategies to get their lives back in their hands.

They don’t judge, don’t tattle and don’t make fun. They listen to you if you want to pour your heart out and respect your silence if you don’t. They offer a shoulder to cry on, and most importantly help you work out anger, animosity, despair and embarrassment while exploring your options for facing your situation lucidly.

They don’t wallow in the past and don’t predict a rosy future of miracle recoveries. They take each day at a time and don’t hold rancour for what could have been.

They focus on living the best present possible.

Families Anonymous encourage those uncomfortable with their situation not to sweep it under the carpet and live in denial. Trying FA once can really be the first step to turning a life around and consequently helping your addicts figure that if you’ve changed for the better,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

support they can too.

Consistency is required to notice improvement, however nobody is judged for turning up just once. If someone needs tailored counselling, members of the group are happy to meet them out of hours, in a safe environment and always respecting the anonymity pledge.

While biased relatives of the affected nuclear family often play ping-pong with the blame, drag unrelated unresolved issues in, and make things pricklier, the group understands and empathises, but doesn’t take sides. People who are going, or have been, through an experience similar to yours will guide you on the path to shedding the guilt, shame and helplessness.

Guilt — since a relative may think it is their fault if their loved one turned to drugs. Yet this is the hardest part to relinquish, especially when the addict becomes expert at transferring their clouded sense of remorse onto their entourage.

Shame — because addiction doesn’t differentiate between rags and riches, and an addict in the family can turn strangers very judgemental, spark gossip, or cause social isolation and even bullying in the workplace.

Helplessness — not only because drug abuse often goes arm in arm with domestic abuse or financial hardship, but because the sensation of just standing by and watching someone destroying their lives is simply heartbreaking.

Spouses can always resort to divorce, which seems to work as an eye-opener. When confronted with the crude reality of losing it all, most addicts take their own first step towards recovery.

In its long journey of hope and perseverance, the 12-step programme is spiritual but not religious, so it can work with all creeds and of course with atheists. In fact it speaks of ‘a force greater than us’, which usually refers to the group, nature or perhaps a role model in the addict’s life.

Gibraltar FamAnon is attended primarily by women, mothers, wives and, to a lesser extent, daughters of substance abusers, but it welcomes those witnessing eating disorders or compulsive shopping or gambling (on the rise in this materialistic society) together with computer dependency.

The group does not take action through police, doctors, or confronting the addict. They just offer support and guidance to help family members attain “the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to tell the difference.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

A Whirlwind for Childline...

Snooker champion Jimmy ‘the Whirlwind’ White MBE is coming to the Rock to compete against some of Gibraltar’s best pool players.

A local knock-out tournament is in the process of finding the five best juniors (under-18s) and five top adults who will each have the opportunity to play against the legendary Jimmy, who is one of only six players to achieve and maximum break of 147 in the World Championship.

‘The Big Play Off’’ between Jimmy and Gibraltar’s best players will then take place on 11th May at the Gala Casino in Ocean Village in front of a live audience. Proceeds from the event will go to Childline Gibraltar.

“This will be a huge event for the local sports community,” said Barbara Sellors of Childline. “We are extremely grateful to Jimmy for helping us to raise money for this important charity.” n

Hear Hear Husband and wife team, Carmen Vasquez and Eugenio Mendieta (pictured) have recently opened the Hearing Centre, on the 2nd floor of the ICC. They are both dedicated to audiology, and have specialised in this for over 10 years. The centre boasts of top of the line diagnostic instruments, and is the first of its kind in Gibraltar. n

Mental Health...

Gibraltar’s Yellow Walk Goes International An Initiative started by the Mental Health Charities in Gibraltar in May 2007 has travelled a long way...

Now in its 5th year, other countries will be holding their own walks or events supporting the Wear Yellow theme in order to promote awareness, reduce stigma and give people an opportunity to get and give support.

So far there have been pledges from cities in the UK, USA, Kenya and Australia. It is hoped many other countries and/or cities will participate.

This year’s event will take place on Friday 17th June and Saturday 18th June 2011. The event is held over two days to allow schools and places of work to show their support by wearing yellow on Friday. Then on Saturday other events can be organised, such as a walk and/or family fun days, garden fetes, fund raising barbecues or lunches etc. The event is also an opportunity to provide information and contact addresses of local support groups. n Last year’s walk in Gibraltar can been viewed at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fD2kKYuLAe4

55

getting involved

How you can help... ✔ Become an Associate Member (annual subscription £6). ✔ Volunteer for the fun d raising activities.

Don’t miss the Flag Da y on 6th May. ✔ Volunteer to visit hos pital patients and care home patients. Take the m magazines, books or simply have a chat. ✔ Fund raise for the Gib raltar Red Cross yourself. Last year, loc al schoolgirl, Tiffany Ferrary, made and sol d a charity CD, while nine-year old Nicholas Anson drummed to success at Ince’s Hall.

They each raised around £500 for Haiti earthquake victims.

Keith Vinnicombe’s gu itar recital at the Convent last month wa s another example of individual work to raise mo

ney.

What you get back...

ction of helping ✔ The enormous satisfa ing essential vid pro rity cha ic am a dyn only to Gibraltar, not es, vic humanitarian ser rld. wo but also to the rest of the

Eddie Davies and Pat Dalli of the Gibraltar Red Cross

Cross volunteers...

ual members’ ✔ An invitation to the ann your donations and for nks tha as reception is sponsored entirely nt eve s volunteering. Thi t year’s event is by local firms and, if las e to be a great party. sur it’s by, anything to go

by Tina Andlaw

The Red Cross is a worldwide, humanitarian organisation with “Caring for people in crisis” as its motto. If you’ve heard of the Gibraltar Red Cross but aren’t sure what it is, then read on — you might be surprised by the great work they do here in Gibraltar.

A chat with Eddie Davies and Pat Dalli leaves you with a warm feeling inside, the kind you experience after meeting compassionate people; who don’t just talk, but actually do something about helping others.

Now retired from the GHA after 30 years of nursing, Pat is not content to just sit back and let others do the caring. As the “working face” of Gibraltar’s Red Cross, her role as Welfare Officer means she must attend to daily phone calls in her office at the Convent (courtesy of the Governor) from local people needing help.

Then Pat and her volunteer assistants, George Martin and Francis Duran, set to work ensuring anyone who needs assistance gets it, not next week or next month, but today if possible. Pat explains, “When people leave hospital, the Red Cross takes over. Currently, funds don’t permit the GHA to provide sufficient mobility aids such as crutches, wheelchairs, strollers and other occupational therapy related items, so we are constantly being called upon for help.”

As a charity, the Red Cross provides its equipment free of charge — a blessing for anyone, as the most basic of new wheelchairs can easily cost upwards of £200. If you have been unlucky enough to be hospitalised recently, unless you buy new equipment, it will be thanks to the Red Cross you have the mobility aids you need. Pat

56

urges, “The only thing we ask is for you to return the equipment when you no longer need it as there will always be others who need it.”

With over 300 Red Cross wheelchairs now in circulation in Gibraltar, complemented by a ready supply of other mobility equipment, it is clear this charity is providing a much needed service locally.

“Much of our older equipment is meticulously reconditioned and repaired by Francis, and it often ends up in Morocco, where we deliver to the needy on a regular basis,” comments Pat, as she reminisces on one Moroccan family whose life changed immeasurably with the arrival of a wheelchair. “Their nine year old daughter had been confined to a chair at home all her life, meaning she, her parents and brothers and sisters, had never all been out together as a family before. The wheelchair changed

“

Our older equipment is meticulously reconditioned and repaired by Francis, and it often ends up in Morocco

”

this family’s entire life and their gratitude was overwhelming! It’s after these simple donations I feel enormous pride in the Red Cross and all it does for people in need.”

Further afield too, the Gibraltar Red Cross donates to disaster relief, such as the recent Libyan borders crisis, and the horrific earthquake and flooding disasters of Japan and New Zealand.

You may have noticed adverts for donations on GBC and in the Chronicle, which received a great response, thanks to local generosity.

Indeed, in times of major international crisis, the Red Cross movement really comes into its own. Imagine for a moment, that disaster strikes Gibraltar and it suffers a devastating earthquake or a tsunami. The Red Cross societies worldwide would contact the Gibraltar branch, offering anything and everything to alleviate crisis. They could send us skilled personnel to assess what’s needed to deal with the aftermath, as well as specialist search and rescue teams and qualified medical personnel. They could even send complete field hospitals, fully equipped with immediate survival equipment.

But all this comes at a price, kindly paid for by other people’s generosity. Chairman of the Gibraltar Red Cross, Eddie Davies, proudly comments that Gibraltarians have a great reputation for their benevolence and for raising money

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAy 2011

events quickly and open-handedly. He explains, “The charity received a hefty £12,900 in donations last year, both from individual members and local firms. To this figure we can add £10,000 from fund raising events (last year it was the flag day and Christmas raffle). This, together with a government grant, allowed us to make several large donations, including £16,000 to the senior citizens for the Panic Button Appeal.”

Eddie continues, “The Gibraltar Red Cross is part of the British Red Cross and our main objective is to alleviate suffering in whatever form. We are always looking for new ways to do this, and our latest project is to help with the refurbishment of Calpe House in London which urgently needs new furniture and equipment.

The refurbishment of Calpe House is great news for the many Gibraltarians who stay there when attending hospital appointments in London.”

The Red Cross in the UK was formed 141 years ago and the Gibraltar branch has been in operation for some 60 years. It now boasts a membership of over 300 — private individuals and local firms. The Gibraltar organisation is run by a committee of 14 members who maintain close ties with the British Red Cross.

“During his recent visit to the Rock, Sir Nicholas Young, the Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, said he was ‘very pleased‘ with what we are achieving here in Gibraltar,” Eddie reveals. n The British Red Cross, Gibraltar Branch, The Convent. Tel: 200 74452.

The BBBR 2011 involves a 350 mile cycle ride over five days from Sainte-MèreÉglise (first French town to be liberated in 1944) to Paris, finishing at the Eiffel Tower.

Each rider has to raise at least £2,300 in donations.

Bike Ride for Heroes...

Sue Lloyd and Carol Boddy of Lloyds Bank in Gibraltar took part in the Málaga half marathon in April, despite the 30°+ heat to raise money for Help 4 Heroes, ready for the Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2011 in Northern France at the beginning of June.

Donations for the girls’ marathon task are coming in from private individuals and companies — Fiduciary sponsored Sue £100 for the half marathon, courtesy of Joey Imossi, Gemma Milliken, and Marjorie Thomas. While Stephen Davenport at the Rock Hotel has offered sponsorship for the BBBR. Details of the event are at www.bmycharity. com/suelloyd or http:// www.helpforheroes. org.uk/challenges-bbbr2011.html

Party Time at Savannah

There’s always lots happening at Savannah on Leisure Island.

On May 6th there’s the Coca-Cola 125th Anniversary with Javi Reina, DJ Rookie entertains on Fridays and on Saturday May 14th there’s a Diana Ross Tribute Night.

Check out the website www.savannah.gi for details of these and other events.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

57

calendar

What’s On May 2011 Wednesday 18th May Friday 10th June Gibraltar Spring Festival. For a programme see page 84.

Thursday 5th & Friday 6th May The Gibraltar Dance Nationals at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre Thursday 7pm / Friday 10pm. Qualify at the nationals to form part of Team Gibraltar 2011, representing Gibraltar at the European Championships /World Cup to be held in Gibraltar during from 14th to 17th July 2011. Forms can be downloaded from: www.gibconnect.com/~gndo Thursday 5th May The Rotary Club of Gibraltar concert titled ‘Musical Memories’, recapturing special musical moments from all our lives, in the Ballroom of the Convent. Musicians from the Band of the RoyalGibraltar Regiment and the Gibraltar National Choir together with Claire Hawkins, Phillip Borge, Kate and Dawn McCullough, Jamie Barry and Philip Valverde will be delighting everyone with their music/songs. All proceeds go to Gibraltar Rotary Club charities. Tickets £20 Tel: 5712100 or email rotarygibraltar@gmail.com

Saturday 7th May New Life Church Family Fun Day Fete, at the back of the Piazza, John Mackintosh Square from 10am to 4pm. As in previous years all monies raised will go to local charities. The fete will include a tombola, jumping castle, lucky dip, dart throwing, face painting and much more.

All are welcome. For more information contact Tel: 200 78509 or check out the website www.newlifegib.com Wednesday 11th May JM Memorial Foundation Variety Show at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 7.30pm. For information contact: 54003463 Jimmy White - Pool Charity Tournament at Ocean Village, Leisure Island Business Centre. For information contact Ros Astengo on Tel: 20040048 Email: Ros.Astengo@worldtradecenter.gi Saturday 14th - Sunday 22nd May Festival of the Seas at Ocean Village – Leisure Island Business Centre. Contact Ros Astengo Tel: 20040048 Email: Ros.Astengo@worldtradecenter.gi.

See page 64 for further information and event times.

Saturday 14th May Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Tour meet George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am. No fee but donations welcome. For information Tel: 20072639 Email: alameda@ wildlife.gib.gi Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society monthly outing – Brazo del Este Waders & Wildfowl. Meet Spanish side of the frontier 6am. For info contact John Cortes Tel: 20072639 Email: jcortes@gonhs.org Live Show - Diana Ross Tribute Night at Savannah, Leisure Island, Ocean Village, 9.30pm. Tickets £35 include performance and set menu.

For information Tel: 20066666 www. savannah.gi Monday 16th May Free Health Talk “Healthy Weight and Vitality Naturally” 5:30-6:30pm. Learn natural ways to manage your weight and increase your energy for optimum health. Presented by Carole Dumenil, Lic.Ac., OMBAcC at the Central Clinic, 1a Central Plaza, Horse Barracks Lane. Attendance is free but spaces

are limited so please call 200 59955 to book a place.

Thursday 19th May Investiture by HE The Governor at The Convent 11am. For info contact Tel: 20055083 Email: seedd851@gib. mod.uk The Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group will be holding its AGM in the John Mackintosh Hall at 6pm. For more information contact Tel: 200 78509, email info@dyslexia.gi or check out Facebook.

Saturday 21st May Ceremonial Guard Mounting at The Convent 12 noon. For info Tel: 20055083 Email: seedd851@gib. mod.uk Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research 5km charity Forget Me Not walk at Casemates Square. Registration time 9.30am, fee £5. Starting time: 11am.

For information Tel: 20072268 or 20047378 Thursday 26th May Animal Charity Gala (Pizza Express) Ocean Village, Leisure Island Business Centre. For information contact Ros Tel: 20040048 Email: Ros.Astengo@ worldtradecenter.gi

Cruise Ship Schedule

MAY 2011

DOA

Vessel

Sun 01

Seabourn Sojourn 0800 1900

ETA ETD

Pass

Capacity From

To

American

450

Vigo

Palma

Sun 01

Thomson Destiny

0800 1700

British

1595

Funchal

Cartagena

Sun 01

Pacific Princess

0800 1700

American

698

Casablanca

Barcelona

Tue 03

Saga Pearl II

1200 2100

British

500

Fri 06

Ryndam

1300 1800

American

1226

Sat 07

Clipper Odyssey

0700 1600

American

110

Sat 07

MSC Poesia

1430 1900

Italian

2550

Mon 09

Azura

1200 1800

British

3076

Tue 10

Celebrity Eclipse

0900 1600

American

2850

Tue 10

Ventura

1200 1800

British

3100

Malaga

Southampton Malaga

Casablanca

Toulon

Fri 13

Grandeur Of Seas 0700 1800

American

1950

Fri 13

Star Princess

0900 1600

American

3300

Fri 13

Saga Ruby

1200 2100

British

665

Sat 14

Eurodam

0800 1700

American

2100

Sat 14

Black Watch

0830 1800

British

798

Sat 14

Island Escape

0900 1800

British

1512

Sun 15

Seabourn Pride

1330 1900

American

208

Mon 16

Boudicca

0800 1800

British

798

Mon 16

Oriana

0800 1330

British

1975

Mon 16

Queen Elizabeth

0800 1330

British

2092

Tue 17

Independence of Seas 0900 1600

Internatl.

3600

Southampton

Toulon

Thu 19

C Columbus

0700 1300

German

400

Cartagena

Tangier

Thu 19

Queen Victoria

1300 1830

Internatl.

2000

Fri 20

Vistamar

0700 1200

German

295

Fri 20

Oceana

0800 1330

British

1950

Sun 22

Black Watch

0800 1600

British

798

Wed 25

Disney Magic

0600 1830

American

2400

Thu 26

Adonia

1230 1800

British

700

Fri 27

Grandeur Of Seas 0700 1800

American

1950

Malaga

Palma

Tue 31

Independence of Seas 0900 1600

Internatl.

3600

Southampton

Cannes

Catania

Liverpool

Dover

Palma

Dover

La Goulette

Cagliari

Total Number of Vessels calling this month = 30 Approximate Number of Passengers calling in this month = 49,246

58

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

skating achievements

Easter Skating Competition

Tara Tirathdas, Emma Marshall and Bobbie Pope with coach Jenni Smith

Girls’ UK Skating Success Three girls travelled from Gibrlatar last month to take part in the Blackpool Ice Festival. The youngest of the girls is the first ever Gibraltarian to compete in a solo skating competition abroad.

This year, the Blackpool Ice Skat-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

ing Festival attracted over 400 skaters from England, Scotland, Wales and as a new addition, three talented youngsters who train at the King’s Bastion, in Jenni Smith’s Ice Skating Academy.

The three girls, Tara Tirathdas,

Jenni’s Ice Skating Academy held an Easter Show at the King’s Bastion Ice Rink showcasing Gibraltar’s up and coming talent.

The following day, some of the best ice skaters in Gibraltar competed for the title of Pop Competition Winner. There were two categories and the overall winners were Bobbie Hope (pictured right) and Alicia Linares (pictured left).

The Academy has lots planned for next term with the visit from the UK Director of Coaching NISA (National Ice Skating Assoc) Simon Briggs and a fun packed Ice Festival scheduled for the first week of July.

Emma Marshall and Bobbie Pope, aged 7, 9 and 10 years respectively, enjoyed their first experience of solo skating competition, amongst others who were regulars on the British competition circuit. All three skated with confidence and finished in the top section of each event.

Tara took 9th place out of 22 skaters, Emma came 7th out of 16 and Bobbie skated into 6th place

out of 15. A fantastic achievement for the girls and Jenni’s Ice Skating Academy, to rate high in the rankings in GB. The summer term for the Ice Skating Academy starts on Saturday 7th May. Please contact Jenni at jennichamnpagne@hotmail.co.uk for more information about this sport or to enrol for the summer term. n

59

Gibraltar in books

The Boy With 1 Shoe & 100 Arab Horses Actually the boy had two shoes on his feet; the one shoe of the title was a reindeer shoe and it turns out the boy didn’t have it when he needed it most.

The Boy With One Shoe is the title the action takes place in Gibraltar of a children’s book by American during the Second World War. author Olive Price and almost all of Olive Price died in 1991 aged 88 and I haven’t been able to find out when, or if, she visited Gibraltar but judging from the thoroughness of her descriptions of Gibraltar and its features she must have been on the Rock at some time in her travels.

The book tells the story of two 13-yearold Danish boys, Mark and Frederick, who are trained as saboteurs and sent to Gibraltar.

Their mission is to arrange for the collection of Arab ‘ponies’ to be

shipped back to Denmark to aid in sabotage against the German occupying forces.

The man who is to supply the ponies is a Spanish gypsy and smuggler named Sebastian. The boys’ duty is to seek out Sebastian and arrange to buy the ponies. The reindeer shoe is the means by which they are to identify themselves.

The boys’ controller is Mark’s older brother Christian, an army lieutenant. On arrival at Gibraltar he gives them their orders: “We are to find Sebastian and try to buy the ponies from him. When Captain Thorvald returns to this port he will put them on his ship and take us back to Denmark to start the Pony Brigade.”

As a cover Mark and Frederick are set up as shoeshine boys. They

Price fashions the story so it takes time for the boys to find the gypsy and this gives her the opportunity to take them around and over the Rock 60

work out of a saddle shop located on a side road just off Main Street and owned by an Englishman named George Matthews.

Price fashions the story so it takes time for the boys to find the gypsy and this gives her the opportunity to take them around and over the Rock. Price even adds a little romance by having the boys help a young girl who falls off her bicycle. Mark rushes to her aid and is instantly smitten: “She lay for a moment looking up at him with beautiful velvety eyes.

Her hair, he noticed, was black but it had a bluish sheen. Her face was almost heart-shaped.”

The girl turns out to be a fisherman’s daughter from Catalan Bay and her name is Carlota. She agrees to take the boys on a guided tour.

They start with the Moorish Castle and then go to see the Barbary Apes and investigate St. Michael’s Cave.

During the tour Carlota impresses the boys with her knowledge of the history of the Rock.

Eventually the boys discover a

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

Gibraltar books artinprofile

by Reg Reynolds smuggler’s cave where they are captured by one of Sebastian’s men.

The Spaniard, named Sancho, decides the boys know enough about Sebastian that they should be taken to meet him.

Sancho takes the boys across the isthmus into Spain passing Tarifa and Ronda before arriving at Sebastian’s mountain hideaway.

“The boys looked up almost in awe. Sebastian’s mountain stronghold! It was not a castle, which somehow they had expected because there were many castles in Spain. This was a limestone cave on the face of a lonely peak.”

Price describes Sebastian: “He wore a shirt of the whitest linen.

His Spanish vest was black velvet and spangled with golden coins.

His trousers were velvet, too, and he wore black leather boots as polished as mirrors. His hair was dark and luxuriant, his eyes were almost black, and he carried a red riding whip.”

Sancho explains to his leader, “I caught these boys prowling around in our caves on the Rock of Gibraltar.”

It turns out that Christian, who had gone into Spain earlier, had also been captured by Sebastian’s people and Sebastian tells the boys he is going to have him shot for stealing a horse. Christian had stolen the horse and got caught on purpose in order to be taken to Sebastian.

Mark pleadingly explains the mission to Sebastian and says they aren’t there to steal ponies but to buy them on behalf of Captain Thorvald.

Sebastian admits he is a friend of the captain and believes their story but demands to see the object meant to establish their identity.

“He is talking about the shoe, the reindeer shoe we used for a sign,” exclaims Mark who then hangs his head. “I did not know we would be brought here today,” he says miserably. “The reindeer shoe is back in Gibraltar.”

The mention of the shoe is enough to convince Sebastian the boys’ story is true. He is so impressed with their courage and the worthiness of their cause he agrees to provide 100 ponies for free.

“Out of the cave on the Rock of Gibraltar came 100 Arabian ponies.

Sebastian rode at their head — his sleek white horse outlined in moonlight, his red cloak billowing with the wind, Christian rode on a horse behind him, then came Mark and Frederick, mounted.”

It’s not likely that Price’s story was based on any real events but there was a group of eight Danish schoolboys from the town of Aalborg who carried out dozens of acts of sabotage against the Germans.

Formed in 1941 and dubbed the Churchill Club it was the first resistance organisation in Denmark.

Olive Price wrote The Boy With One Shoe in 1963. She was born in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1903. After graduating from university she composed advertising copy for department stores before having her first book, A Donkey for the King, published in 1945. She went on to write more than 20 books, mostly for children, and half a dozen plays. She also wrote under the pseudonyms Anne Cherryholmes and Barbara West.

The illustrations for The Boy With One Shoe were done by Paul Frame (1914-1994), who illustrated more than 300 books including many in the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series. n

The girl turns out to be a fisherman’s daughter from Catalan Bay and her name is Carlota. She agrees to take the boys on a guided tour

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

61

organisations

GCAB: 8 Years of Changing Lives As Gibraltar celebrated eight years of life changing advice from the local branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau, in the UK the Citizens Advice Service celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Over seven decades the issues the CAB is asked to advise on have changed, but the key aims, objectives and values have not. At the heart of the service are volunteers and staff who are passionate and committed to helping people and helping them to help themselves.

The Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau also has strong support from funders and the local community enabling it to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.

The twin aims of the service are to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and to improve the policies and practises that affect peoples lives, and secondly to use the evidence gathered to help change unfair practises and policies.

The advice given needs to be accurate, impartial and up to date and can make a huge difference to the person receiving it. There are times though when the issue is so serious or complicated that additional specialist advice or assistance is needed.

“There is always help at the heart of the community and we have helped by dealing with a wide range of matters including, debt, benefit issues, employment, housing, consumer debt, immigration and relationship breakdown,” explains GCAB Manager, Pili Rodriguez. “Many of our clients are the most vulnerable in our society for whom the Citizens Advice Bureau is the final safety net in getting the help they

need.”

GCAB’s developing services include the following: debt (money advice), counselling referral, employment advice, legal clinic, computer skills for the older person, equal opportunities/discrimination advice.

GCAB held the chair of Citizens Advice International (CAI) from 2007 to 2009 and is a full member of CAI. CAI is a non-profit, non-governmental international organisation representing the interests of free advice giving associations throughout the world. Its mission is to promote the provision of free, impartial and confidential advice and information to the public about their rights and responsibilities so they can better cope with the range of personal, social and financial problems. Leading local lawyers David Dumas (Hassans) and Paul Peralta (Legislation Support Government of Gibraltar) supported GCAB in these conferences.

As the Citizens Advice Bureau is so firmly rooted in the community, it also sees at first hand the immediate effects of the laws that govern our daily life.

The advice given needs to be accurate, impartial and up to date and can make a huge difference to the person receiving it

GCAB Manager, Pili Rodriguez

A social policy report based on clients’ experiences and evidence is prepared regularly. These reports emphasise the impact of policies on individuals and the community and effectively “gives our clients a voice”.

“Since we started in 2003 we have been looking at the make-up of the community we serve here in Gibraltar identifying issues, trends and concerns, finding ways to best help and support the service users,” says Pili. “We have always taken pride in our aspirations to be open to all.

We have recognised and taken steps to address the many reasons why individuals or groups may be discriminated against or excluded e.g. race, ethnicity, disability, mental health, sexual orientation, age, religion, nationality and gender.

“The CAB Service provides excellent value in return for the public funding it receives,” she continues. “It continues to make a significant contribution to individuals, as well as to the process of policy-making and service delivery.

I feel its holistic approach and independence are values that should be cherished. Remember you are not alone, the Citizens Advice Service is here for you.” n GCAB 10 Governor’s Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 200 40006 Fax: 200 40281 Email: info@cab.gi

CAI delegation with Gibraltar flag

Seniors IT class 2010

62

Careers fair GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

If the Shoe fits...

advertorial

It is eight months since Jenny and Di relocated Shoe to 226 Main Street and time has flown by. “For our first two years our emphasis was on premium ranges of shoes and bags for women and men. Our move to 226 has given us space to expand our collection so we can truly cater for the whole family and at a range of prices to suit every budget. Women’s and men’s shoes start from around £50 with children’s from £26. And we still carry our premium ranges plus some exciting new brands and accessories,” say the girls.

in stock now. Each come with a free gift and despite their delicate looks are robust and well made with leather lining for healthy feet in the heat.

School, play and sandals are also covered by Hush Puppy. Each child is measured and fitted, making sure they have the right style to support their feet and with the correct amount of growing space.

Adults have not not been neglected. The men’s Hush Puppy range is comfortable, hard wearing and excellent value for money, covering a range of styles from sandals to formal work shoes. Autumn sees the launch of additional premium leather soled styles with a

Parents and grandparents have been delighted with the measuring and fitting service provided for children from Hush Puppy and are the girls are delighted to announce the arrival of Geox & Lelli Kelly. If you haven’t heard of them ask the kids as they will love them! Parents will also love them for their great quality, comfort and just as important, robust, but still at prices that won’t break the bank.

Geox was established in the ‘90s, built on the ideas of its founder for a ‘breathable’ sole which helps to keep feet cool and dry, an end to smelly feet! Trainers for weekend and school, for boys and girls plus the new sandal range. Sporty sandals have three point adjustWedges are another of the key ment for excellent fit ­— breathable and flexible for great comfort. Girls of course, need more trends for the season — stylish but choice — something else to wear with their dresses or for special occasions. At Shoe there also a comfortable and practical are the most stunning sandals with little 3D way of wearing heels on the butterflies ‘perching’ on the front, which are just beautiful.

Gibraltar cobbles Lelli Kellys are gorgeous. Beaded and embroidered beautiful pumps and sandals are traditional brogue design.

The ladies have new brands too — Geox women’s shoes and sandals have all the features and benefits enjoyed by the children’s styles but with the style and sophistication the Italians are famous for. We have also extended our ever comfortable Hush Puppy range, with work shoes, flats, heels, sandals and pumps.

Shoe are also stocking Ash, for some fabulous, exciting, edgy yet comfortable styles, which already have a following.

Chie Mihara has delivered another stunning range, with some unique styling only found in Gibraltar. All have platforms to off-set heel

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

height, adding their usual comfort.

Pretty Ballerina is enjoying loads of press coverage this season with three of the styles available at Shoe, already featured recently in the UK fashion mags. Covering this season’s neutrals or nautical red, white and blue, they’ve repeatedly nailed the season’s trends.

Wedges are another of the key trends for the season, covered by all the designers. Audley’s are in an array of colours, designs and heel heights — a stylish but also a comfortable and practical way of wearing heels on the Gibraltar cobbles.

Extra space at the shop has also allowed them to expand into other complimentary ranges; fashion jewellery, Tods sunglasses, and the beautiful Mary Frances handbags — each a work of art you’ll want to keep forever. The new summer range is due in any day now!

With their most comprehensive range up to date, any occasion can be the perfect one with a pair from Shoe. n

63

hot stuff

Gibraltar’s Ocean Festival

Planes, Yachts & Automobiles

A fun Yacht Rally will take place on Saturday 14th May

Fun, sailing, entertainment and endless activities at the inaugural Ocean Village Festival — so whether it’s the little guys looking to have breakfast with Captain Jack Sparrow or you’re that serious yachtsman looking to win the inaugural Ocean Village Cup, where else would you want to be on 14th-22nd May than at Ocean Village?

64

ing those old enough to know better) can water orb across the Marina while the Royal Gibraltar Police will offer rides on their high speed RIBs. The competitive juices can flow with a fancy dress contest or perhaps avail yourselves of the Gibraltar Sports & Leisure Authority’s generos-

ity as they make all their facilities available to include the climbing wall. Later on, the Minister for Culture will be presenting an award for the best outdoor painting whilst keen fishermen will be reeled into the Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (GFSA) demonstration. For those

The Blades aerobatic pilots will provide the finale to the Ocean Village festival on Sunday 22nd May

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

photo Jamie Hunter

Celebrations commence on Saturday 14 May with a skippers’ breakfast and briefing ahead of a Yacht Rally in aid of the GBC Open Day and Rainbow Ward at St Bernard’s Hospital.

Leaving Ocean Village at midday, participating sailing yachts will follow a course round the Bay of Gibraltar with some surprise fun activities along the way. With entrance to the Rally priced at just £15 per person to include a meal and two nights’ free berthing for visiting yachts, there are big prizes up for grabs including an £800 yacht toolkit courtesy of Hire-U-Shop. A further Dragon Boat Race will appeal to those with impressive teamwork skills.

While Saturday’s rally is underway, landlubbers won’t miss out as Ocean Village becomes a hive of festival activity. Captain Jack Sparrow will be welcoming the younger visitors before they’re let loose on a host of activities from trampolining to a ball pond, arts and crafts to face painting and temporary tattoos. Mini make-overs and a score-a-goal challenge should inspire a battle of the sexes and, regardless who triumphs, Clarence the Clown will be handing out lollipops, balloons and magic tricks to keep everybody happy.

Also on Saturday, children of any age (includ-

events who prefer a more leisurely pace, take a stroll around the market stalls along the promenade whilst listening to a full programme of live music and entertainment on stage in the sunshine.

Sunday 15th May brings plenty of the same with water orbs and the bouncy castle plus the added treats of a Where’s Wally treasure hunt, discounted dolphin trips, a fashion show and diving experience by the lap pool. During the week, from 3.30- 6.30pm, children can gather at the arts and crafts corner by the Tahiti Hut on Leisure Island where local artist Giorann Henshaw will be holding outdoor painting classes for aspiring young artists. Parents can grab the opportunity to take some ‘me’ time browsing the Ocean Village shops or having a bite to eat. Saturday 21st May will gather together an impressive fleet of motors from the Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association for a mini rally around the Rock.

The Festival of the Seas will conclude not on the water but in the skies with some of the world’s best aerobatic pilots putting on a breathtaking show in ultimate high-performance piston aircraft. The Blades with be displaying on the Rock on Saturday 21st May and providing the finale to the Festival of the Seas on Sunday 22nd May. Having flown well over 300 displays in front of more than 18 million people, there’s little doubt that The Blades Show, brought courtesy of Barclays Wealth and Bwin, will round off an incredible festival with a first-class flourish. To make an afternoon of it, Ipanema are offering a ‘Meal & Show’ deal where diners can be whisked off by coach from the restaurant to Eastern Beach to see the air display — and back again for a cocktail. What better way to end the festival?

A full programme of activities can be found on the Ocean Village official Facebook site. All festival profits and donations will be made to the GBC Open Day and Rainbow Ward at St Bernard’s Hospital. n

photo Jamie Hunter

To register for the Yacht Rally on Saturday 14th May contact pieroffice@oceanvillage.gi or telephone 200 73300. For general information on the Festival of the Seas contact Jeanette Obytz on info@ medweddings.com or call 580 08355.

For more information on The Blades in Gibraltar visit www.theblades.biz. For “Meal & Show” tickets call Ipanema on 216 48888 or email info@ ipanema-restaurant.com

GibDFAS Lecture: Wednesday 18th May

El Escorial & Hieronymous Bosch The Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society will be holding a lecture The Monastery Palace of El Escorial by Gail Turner on Wednesday 18th May, from 6.30pm for drinks and 7.30pm for the lecture, at the Eliott Hotel, Governor’s Parade.

Bourbons.

As well as its art and architecture, craftsmen and personalities, the lecture examines the ascetic king’s collection of paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, a rather ghoulish choice for his private quarters. The subject of sin and punishment was central to all of Bosch’s art but now in the 20th century some see him as a sort of 15th century surrealist and link his name with that of Salvador Dali.

Gail Turner is an art historian and artist with a special interest in European painting and a passion for Spanish history and art. She also paints, draws and makes prints. n

The Garden of Earthly Delight, Hieronymus Bosch (1504)

El Escorial (Monasterio de San Lorenzo del Escorial) is one of the most impressive buildings in Spain. It was built by Philip II to celebrate his victory over the French in 1557.

This vast granite palace near Madrid, built as “a dwelling for God on Earth”, is also a monastery with a great church and the royal mausoleum of the Spanish Habsburgs and

Gibraltar’s Governor and GibDFAS Patron, Sir Adrian Johns, NADFAS National Chairman Gri Harrison, NADFAS lecturer Leslie Primo and GibDFAS Chairman Claus Olesen, at the Convent in April

Deputy Mayor Julio Alcantara receives his MBE, for services to education and the community, at Buckingham Palace with wife Paddy and sons Julian and Simon GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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Ondine Court

Chris Victory:

A Lifetime in the Theatre

by Jolene Gomez

With his first role in a play called Albert’s Bridge in the Gibraltar Drama Festival, Chris Victory’s career in theatre began. “After many years treading the boards at Ince’s Hall, I took an adjudicator’s advice and decided to come to the UK to study theatre, and I have not looked back since,” Chris says.

Chris was offered an audition at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) but the date clashed with the impending birth of his first daughter. Chris asked RADA to reschedule, but he was summarily told they had far too many applicants to worry about him not turning up. “So I decided to become a designer, packed my bags, and embarked on a degree course in Theatre Design at Wimbledon School of Art, which at the time was world renowned as the best school for budding designers,” Chris explains.

He graduated with First Class Honours, and a rather naïve expectation that he would end up designing in the West End within a year.

His work as an assistant was an eye opener for him. “The glamour of the industry was very soon replaced by the reality that it was all blood, sweat and tears for little money and a lot of sacrifice.”

Within the industry, Chris says he struggled to find a form, a niche, a genre which had been undiscovered within the world of stage design.

He didn’t want to turn out safe, but plainly

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staid sets, which although were perfectly acceptable, he found hardly challenging and definitely not what he wanted to pursue.

“My first year in the industry was spent, as all new designers find, assisting Charlie Edwards, probably the country’s most prolific and famous opera designer. I worked long hours, at first making models and billions of technical drawings. As Charlie’s work piled up I found myself designing the shows he could not realistically finish. I worked for the New Israeli Opera, Opera North, English Touring Opera,

“

The glamour of the industry was very soon replaced by the reality that it was all blood, sweat and tears for little money and a lot of sacrifice

”

the Royal Danish Opera and the Fujiwara Opera to name but a few,” Chris explains.

But the assistant’s life was not easy. The hours were very long, the pay was very poor and the recognition was nonexistent. So Chris decided to venture out on his own, where it soon became clear that the world of design had

Chris Victory

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

art in focus

Ondine and King of Ondines

an underbelly that was none too pretty.

After several rejections, Chris had begun to consider other directions, until he landed a job with Theatre Melange by sheer coincidence, and went on to spend eight years there as part of their artistic team. “Here I worked exactly how I wanted, gaining a reputation, and a place in the exhibition of Best British Theatre Designs at the Royal Academy,” Chris beams proudly.

He was asked to help out on a small show, The Love of the Nightingale, and after finding the company in a bit of disarray, he offered to help — hastily designing a set and costumes. The design was abstract and organic, and most of all became integrated into the action, rather than sitting as a boring backdrop.

“Melange loved it. The actors loved it. So much so, that I was asked to design their next piece, Ondine. A lot was riding on Ondine. We had a National Lottery bid and South East Arts funding in the balance,” Chris explains. “The design for Ondine was perhaps the best I have ever done. It gained much praise in the Times, Time Out, the Stage and various other publications. Perhaps the most emphatic praise came from the National Lottery awarding body who came to see the show and commented on how the set ‘danced with the actors throughout’ raising the already high level of acting to that of excellence.”

After being awarded funding from the National Lottery and from a South East Arts award, Chris worked with Melange establishing a reputation for mid-scale, physical theatre on tour. He also worked with various other companies, such as Snap Theatre, for a highly acclaimed all female version of A Clockwork Orange, for which he designed a skate park, complete with revolving half pipes and video effects.

Shortly after leaving Melange, Chris embarked on film projects, which were notoriously difficult to get into. However, he did manage to work in the wardrobe department for The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and even Harry Potter! “However film was not what I wanted to do, and certainly not wardrobe, despite the very good pay,” he states.

Throughout this time, Chris had started lecturing at Wimbledon School of Art. During his time in Melange, he organised their Outreach education programmes which involved, at one point, coordinating over 100 schools, colleges and youth arts groups throughout the Sussex area.

“I enjoyed this immensely, and working with children was already well entrenched in my mind set when, again by sheer fluke, I was offered the post of Production Manager in the newly established Tiffin Performing Arts College in Kingston. I jumped at the opportunity and was soon stamping my particular style on Tiffin. After several years during which my role expanded, and after the loss of a second Head of Department, I decided to apply for the post,” Chris explains.

“However in the UK you must have Qualified Teacher Status... and I didn’t. I was a qualified Lecturer but this meant I could only teach at Further Education and Higher Education Romeo and Juliet colleges. It was time to go back to school, and after having trained on the Graduate Teacher Although too late for the Tiffin post, his repProgramme, I qualified as a bona fide teacher, utation and high standard of work earned him boots and all.” his current position as Head of Drama at Forest Gate Community School. Here, his focus is on training young actors, as opposed to teaching drama. “I view all my students as potential professional actors, and undertake extra training to get them in professional shows. Most of this work is done through the establishing of youth theatre companies, run on a professional basis with youngsters between 11 and 18, covering all the roles that exist in any professional company, including company managers, designers, stage managers, box office and marketing and, of course, actors.”

With many successes already to his name, including some of his students making it into roles at the English National Opera, children’s TV shows, and even Eastenders, Chris is very much involved in his job, and can’t wait to return to Gibraltar to share his expertise. “I would love to be involved in running workshops or summer courses in Gibraltar in the future — even treading the old boards of the Inces Hall when organising a show in my naWoyzeck set under construction with Barry Saltman tive Gibraltar would be great,” Chris smiles. n

“

I view all my students as potential professional actors, and undertake extra training to get them in professional shows

”

Macbeth

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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puzzle page

SUDOKU Win a lunch for two at

The Cannon Bar

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

One entry per person.

Closing date: 20th May 2011 Last month’s winner: S Rocca, 7 Jasmin House, Waterport

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Send completed crossword to: The Clipper, Irish Town One entry per person.

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

Last month’s winner: Lourdes Loddo 244/6 Main Street

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FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Jon Pertwee, Instance, Upon, Hare, Trapeze, William Tell, Warrant, Cole, Skin, Continents, Gummidge.

Down: Jonah, Natural, Edna, Theorems, Equip, Worzel, Whacko, Rango, Midnight, Emin, Emotion, Edges.

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Across: 1. Exhibition from posh owners? (4) 3. Ironing becomes urgent (8) 9. Gunners run sale in store (7) 10. Wedding walk for lasie? (5) 11. Bury in terra firma? (5) 12. Bold agent is past his prime (3-3) 14. Weapons create seasonal cold spell (7,6) 17. Irregular (6) 19. This play is serious! (5) 22. A rodent is at the centre of this madness (5) 23. When leaving, the situation continues (7) 24. Discover who? (8) 25. Sue’s has its purposes! (4) Down: 1. Ideas above these are discouraged (8) 2. Thespian gets here at the beginning (5) 4. Type of ferry (4-2,4-3) 5. Spectators sit here, but shouldn’t they be upright? (5) 6. When the target’s this, you may gain under standing (7) 7. A big lens is needed for this valley (4) 8. Turn EU into false statement (6) 13. Makes it possible (8) 15. Weather conditions enclose Peruvian capital (7) 16. Were Mr. Jones’ designs in purple ?(6) 18. Ships pass quickly (5) 20. Something goes wrong for one young lady (5) 21. Compact vermin I think! (4)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

in focus

Sporting Chances Images from the Gibraltar Photographic Society’s digital projection competition on the theme “Games and Sports” judged by Moren ButtewegMorenmedia.

Clockwise from left: Monopoly Stephen Hermida 40pts • Kids on a Rope David Bartolo 37pts • Tarifa Rafa Millan 35pts • Card Game Maurice Hook 40pts • Video Games Javier Millan 35pts • Muay Thai Joseph Molinary 40pts • Shuttlecock Maurice Hook 35pts • Young Blood Javier Millan 35pts • Rugby Stephen Hermida 40pts • Cyclists Karon Yusifredo 40pts

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

71

RifCom: a bridge between continents

by Matt Provost

It had been months of getting fit, meeting our teams and fundraising. Once in Morocco we’d hiked for two days and spent the third painting and working in the local community. It was a significant undertaking. But as we came to the brow of the hill there in the valley before us lay our goal: Chefchaouen. The 2010 RifCom challenge had been conquered!

The task had been for 34 local people to travel to the Rif mountains of Morocco and spend the weekend working with RifCom to support communities in developing their economies. We’d come from all ages and backgrounds to work together to build links between Gibraltar and Morocco; two countries so close geographically yet so far apart in many other ways. Each of us had to raise a minimum of £450 sponsorship and agree to complete a grueling schedule of trekking and supporting the local communities.

But by the end we all agreed it had definitely been worth it.

Unlike many of Gibraltar’s charities, RifCom is relatively new and unknown. But the people involved have been extremely busy and 2011 promises to be an even busier year for them as they seek to grow and develop their work in Morocco.

The charity was formed after Julian Camble, a local businessman, and Matt Butler, an adventure tour operator from up the coast, had been running corporate charity challenge events in Andalucia and then Morocco for a well-known international charity. They’d managed to raise over £200,000 in three years, involving local companies and workers, but wanted to do more

to help the obviously poor communities they had been walking through. It was on the bus home at the end of one particular weekend that the idea of RifCom was born.

“We saw the work as being about going in and physically helping kids and communities not just giving handouts to them. We don’t want to make big changes, just enhance what they’ve got,” reports Julian.

This year sees a group already in Morocco spending the long May bank holiday weekend doing a variety of community work tasks such as painting and planting trees in the Khezzana region of the Rif mountains. Each of them pays their own way but Mari Bell Jones, a committed member of the charity says it’s also “about what they give us back as well, not just what we give.”

Later this year RifCom launch one of its biggest challenges to date; a 100km trek through the Atlas mountains and on to the Sahara desert.

Already half booked up, it promises to be a memorable experience walking for four days through the most extraordinary landscapes — passing ancient Berber civilizations; high alpine meadows; lush forests and desert parched landscapes.

We’d come from all ages and backgrounds to work together to build links between Gibraltar and Morocco; two countries so close geographically yet so far apart in many other ways 72

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

events

Royal Gibraltar Regiment talk in Gibraltar House Pictures of the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society attending a talk by Lt. Colonel Colin Risso MC about the Royal Gibraltar Regiment at a meeting in Gibraltar House, The Strand, London.

150 Strand, London Tel: +44 207 836 0777 email: info@gibraltar.gov.uk

Photos by Mike Brufal

Working in Morocco takes time and energy building up the relationships and trust needed.

Cultural barriers as well as local bureaucracy also need to be overcome. On each trip the charity has organised there’ve had to be last minute changes with permission to enter certain areas suddenly denied or permits for work withdrawn. But each challenge has worked out with the group welcomed by the local communities they seek to serve and the name RifCom becoming more widely known in the area.

The charity acknowledge this and state their aim is to work first with the community in Chechaouen and then radiate out into the more rural areas. “On one recent trip, we were surprised to see a computer we had donated a few months previously, being used in a school we’d never been to before. It shows how a little work can grow without us even knowing it,” says Julian.

The charity’s long term plan is to build a permanent base in the region — they have identified a suitable site in the beautiful Akchour nature reserve. This could then be used for further development of their projects from health promotion, education and building up sustainable forms of tourism as a new form of economy for the region. The centre would also provide employment for local people and help to get them involved with RifCom; making the charity best able to serve their needs.

RifCom also want to use the new base for more trips out particularly with Gibraltar’s schools in order to build links between the two countries; so far apart culturally. “The kids who travelled last year got on so well with the local kids; they were swapping contact details and it was an eye opener for many of them,” states Mari.

The team obviously has big aims for the years ahead and would love more people to get involved. n For more information or to sign up to one of the activities, check out www.rifcom.org

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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past revisited

The Queen of the East’s Gibraltar Farewell

by Reg Reynolds

When Lady Hester Stanhope said goodbye to her stepbrother James in Gibraltar she feared it would be the last time she would see him. She was right but not for the reason she imagined.

James and Hester Stanhope had arrived in Gibraltar at the start of an extended tour of the Mediterranean. But it was 1810, and the British army and rebellious citizens of Spain and Portugal were fighting Napoleon’s occupying forces in what was to become known as the Peninsular War. James was a Lieutenant Colonel in the

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1st Guards and when he learned his battalion had sailed to help the embattled Spanish hold the port of Cadiz he was determined to join his comrades.

Hester was distraught. She had already lost stepbrother Charles and her lover, General Sir John Moore, at the Battle of Corunna. James had begged Hester to use her influence to get him assigned to

Moore as an aide-de-camp. He arrived at Corunna in time to witness the two men’s deaths which came just as victory had been achieved.

It was James who held Moore’s hand as he expired and whispered his dying wish, “Stanhope, remember me to your sister.”

Now as James sailed for Cadiz, Hester was worried she would lose her younger brother to the same war. As it turned out James was lucky.

He fought in numerous battles in Spain and Portugal — Barossa, Cuidade Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vitoria — and survived until the end of the war in 1814. He was severely wounded at the siege of San Sebastian and the injury would plague him for the rest of his life but he recovered sufficiently to take part in Napoleon’s ultimate defeat at Waterloo in June 1815.

With James departed for Spain Hester decided it was time to leave Gibraltar and commence her Mediterranean tour. Although her travelling companion Dr. Charles Meryon had enjoyed his time on the Rock, Hester was not of the same mind. She had arrived in February and was surprised to find the weather warm and balmy.

Dr. Meryon relished the warmth and wrote home that it reminded him of England in July.

But Hester was unaccustomed to the heat and she suffered it; and despite receiving royal treatment she didn’t appreciate socialising with the type of people she had left England to avoid.

In her biography Lady Hester (Faber, 2005) Lorna Gibb writes: “The Governor of the island [sic], General Campbell, personally settled Hester and her brother in his own residence, which was known as The Convent. The doctor was put in nearby rooms. Far from being restful, the constant circulation of wealthy travelers and small groups of Spanish refugees made Gibraltar a busy, cosmopolitan place. In deference to her background, Hester was invited to dine with ‘the first society of the place’ at the Governor’s table, which she did, although rather through a sense of obligation than because of any desire to mingle.”

In order to avoid the ‘petty conversations and endless gossip’ Hester would stay in bed until the early afternoon. Bored of ‘social’ obligations she was pleased to set sail for Malta with Dr. Meryon, Michael Bruce, the son of a wealthy Scottish Banker, and half a dozen servants.

Little did she know she was sailing to a future completely at odds with the environment of her up-bringing.

Not only would she not see James again, she would never set foot on English soil again.

Hester was born in 1776, the eldest daughter of the 1st Lord Stanhope. Lord Stanhope was a political radical who called himself ‘Citizen Stanhope’ and spent most of his time in the House of Lords bashing the aristocracy. An inventor, (he made the first steamboat and the first calculator) he was a strict father who spent most of his time in his laboratory. Hester’s natural mother died when Hester was only four and to add to her childhood misery the second Lady Stanhope was a cold woman who left the upbringing of the children to various governesses.

Hester wasn’t able to break away from her tyrannical father until she turned 24 and went to live with her maternal Grandmother, Lady Chatham. When Lady Chatham died Hester was taken in by her favourite uncle William Pitt.

The three years with Pitt were the best of

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

past revisted Hester’s early life. William Pitt the Younger (his father was William Pitt the Elder) became the youngest Prime Minister ever in 1783 aged just 24. He held the office until 1801 then returned to govern from 1804 until his death in 1806.

Lytton Strachey, a member of the famed Bloomsbury literary group, wrote of Hester: “Her three years with Pitt, passed in the very centre of splendid power, were brilliant and exciting. She flung herself impetuously into the movement and the passion of that vigorous society; she ruled her uncle’s household with high vivacity; she was liked and courted; if not beautiful, she was fascinating — very tall, with a very fair and clear complexion, and dark-blue eyes, and a countenance of wonderful expressiveness. Her talk, full of the trenchant nonchalance of those days, was both amusing and alarming.”

Hester was devastated by Pitt’s death. She was left alone and with a pension of 1200 pounds a year which wasn’t a lot for the circles she moved in. She didn’t abandon society, however, and had several affairs which caused tongues to wag; then came the deaths of her brother and her lover. It was a combination of these events that convinced Hester a trip through the Mediterranean might be a good idea.

Strachey wrote: “There can be no doubt that at the time of her departure the thought of lifelong exile was far from her mind. It was only gradually, as she moved further and further eastward that the prospect of life in England — even in Europe — grew distasteful to her.”

From Malta, Hester and her companions continued on to Athens, Constantinople and Rhodes. Off the island of Rhodes a violent storm caused them to abandon ship.

They took refuge on a rocky outcrop and were without food or water for 30 hours. They eventually reached Alexandria where Hester changed from her ruined clothes into the attire of a Turkish gentleman. This proved a revelation.

From this point forward she would embrace Eastern culture with every ounce of her body and soul.

An accomplished horsewoman (she refused to ride side-saddle). Hester continued her travels by land and with the passing of every village her fame grew. Her arrival at Cairo, where she was received in state by the Pasha, caused a sensation. Wrote Strachey: “Her costume on this occasion was gorgeous: she wore a turban of cashmere, a brocaded waistcoat, a priceless pelisse, and a vast pair

of purple velvet pantaloons embroidered all over in gold.”

The worshipful attention so emboldened this eccentric Englishwoman that, despite being warned that on approach to Damascus she must get rid of her men’s attire and wear a veil, she refused and rode confidently into the centre of the city at high noon.

Strachey continues: “The population were thunderstruck; but at last their amazement gave way to enthusiasm, and the incredible lady was hailed everywhere as Queen…”

Hester caused more excitement by visiting the ruins of Palmyra, which only a dozen of the boldest travellers had ever seen. She continued her triumphal and nomadic ways until 1816 when she moved into a house up Mount Lebanon near the village of Joun. She would remain there for the rest of her life, ministering to the local Druze, a minority religious group, who considered her a prophet. By now Hester loathed England and declared she would never go there again.

During the long journey Michael Bruce and Hester had become lovers but Hester turned down his proposal of marriage and he returned to Europe. Her loyal and unrequited lover Dr. Meryon stayed with Hester for seven years, finally leaving in January 1817. He returned to visit three times, the last in 1830, and wrote three books — Memoirs of Lady Hester Stanhope, Travels of Lady Hester Stanhope and Additional Memoirs. He sired an illegitimate son with a French dancer named Narcisse, married an English widow named Eliza and adopted her son. He died in 1877 aged 94.

And what of James, the brother Hester kissed farewell at the Rock of Gibraltar?

He did not approve of her Arabic lifestyle and the only contact with his sister was through messages relayed to him via Dr. Meryon. While

Despite being warned that on approach to Damascus she must get rid of her men’s attire and wear a veil, she refused and rode confidently into the centre of the city at high noon

fighting the Peninsular War James learned Spanish and recorded what he saw and experienced in journals which have proved incredibly accurate and invaluable to modern historians.

Despondent over the death of his wife, he committed suicide in 1825. He was just 37.

Lady Hester Stanhope, Queen of the East, died on 23rd June, 1839, aged 63. She was buried in Joun, but against her expressed wishes, she was given a Christian burial and her coffin was draped with a British flag. The Lady would not have been amused. n

Lady Hester’s Secret Life Even in her own lifetime Hester seems to have evaded those who knew her longest.

She was attracted to anything secret. In later life, when permanently settled in the Lebanon, she offered herself, with her by now vast knowledge of the politics of the region, as an agent to the East India Company, and at one point had five men collecting intelligence on her behalf.

She dabbled in mysticism, in esoteric cults, in treasure hunting and freemasonry; at one point she seems to have believed herself to be the Messiah. It is no surprise to learn many people believed her to have supernatural powers; and others that she had gone quite mad. n

Dog of the Month I am Lab size, about 2 years old crossbreed. VERY gentle and kind dog I am fine with other dogs and kids etc. I am very trusting of people. I came into the clinic heavily pregnant which was why I was thrown out onto the street.

my s h ave p p p u ie u t I’m ,b h ome s a i t i ng w l s t il

“I need a good home!”

If you are interested in adopting me please 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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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arts file

Chichon & Garanca to perform in Gib The month the Gibraltar Philharmonic Society is presenting one of the leading mezzo-sopranos in the world, Elina Garanča, and the internationally acclaimed local conductor, Karel Mark Chichon, in concert with The European Symphony Orchestra. Special guest bass Wolfgang Rauball will also appear in the concert.

The concert will be held at St Michael’s Cave from 8pm on Wednesday 4th May. The concert is made possible through the support of the Ristorante Sole of Vienna.

A society spokesman said: “We are very pleased to welcome back to Gibraltar the popular conductor Karel Mark Chichon who recently has been invited to two of the top opera houses in the world — The Metropolitan Opera House of New York and Teatro alla Scala of Milan. Just a few months ago he also made a thrilling debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and received the Associate Membership of the Royal Academy of Music in London.

“Maestro Chichon will be joined by Elina Garanča who is considered the leading mezzo-soprano of the world and a Deutsche Gramophon exclusive recording artist.”

Elina Garanca © Gabo / DG

Art Scene...

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Tickets priced £20 are available from The House of Sacarello, Irish Town and the Silver Shop, 222 Main Street. Credit/debit card purchase Tel: 200 72134. A limited number of tickets are available to Senior Citizens at £10 via The John Mackintosh Hall, 308 Main Street. Price includes a return shuttle service from the Bristol’s Hotel area from 7.30pm. n

Paintings by Evelyn Szaszak (pictured) are currently on show at Sacarello’s restaurant on Tuckey’s Lane/ Irish Town. Evelyn is a Hungarian artist, brought up in Slovakia. She won the Best Young Artist in Gibraltar’s International Art Competition 2009 and wants to further exhibit her works in the future in Gibraltar. Her web page is www.izisz12.5mp.eu n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

art file

Art Scene...

photos by Tessa Imossi

Visitors to the Fine Arts Gallery, Casemates, in April were treated to a exhibition of paintings bursting with colour from local artist Caroline Canessa. The 28 paintings were the culmination of three years work by the artist (pictured above) and they were so well received by the audience on the opening night, we are sure to see more of Caroline’s work in the future. n

Get Retribution...

Gibraltar’s latest addition to the clothing scene — Retribution Clothing at 21 Irish Town — is a perfect stop for lovers of the alternative and rock fashion look.

Shop owners Melanie Bosano and Daryl McFarlane have stocked the shop with interesting brands including Iron Fist and Miami Ink, and expect loads more to come in the near future. Already popular with locals and tourists since opening in mid-April, this little shop with the big personality looks set to fill a clothing niche in Gibraltar amongst the cool and trendy. Stop by and say hello Melanie and Daryl and see the range. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

77

music scene

by Sonia Golt

Surianne (Gibraltarian singer songwriter), Sam Faiers (The Only Way is Essex) & Francois Ferriere (Marketing Coordinator, Hestia)

Surianne: For the Love of Music “I taught myself to play the guitar and used this to add colour and structure to melodies that buzzed inside my head. It was in the final year of university that I decided to put all comforts to one side, set myself a challenge and pursue that one thing that had been screaming to get out of me.”

Surianne Dalmedo is a young Gibraltarian singer/songwriter who a few years ago left to study in England where she graduated in Interior Architecture & Design in 2005. Her passion, as she says, is for music and song-writing and this love means at every opportunity she has written her thoughts and experiences on paper ready to be used in future lyrics.

With no musical education she had to find a way of strumming her guitar, to get the feel for her compositions and her written lyrics and ideas.

Currently she is based in London and as an independent singer/ songwriter she brings a new wave of acoustic Latin/Flamenco/Rock music to this part of the world. In the UK she is now known as La Inglesa Gitana.

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Strongly influenced by the fusion of acoustic guitar sounds and driving percussive rhythms, her music style is derived from a blend of various cultures inspired by Mediterranean grooves and warm summer nights.

She is a star in her own right who has supported well known singers such as Suzanne Vega, Steve Balsamo, Anthony Joseph and The Spasm Band, Breed77, and Spencer Kennedy. She has performed at festivals and venues like the Emirates Stadium, the O2 Academy, the London International Music Show, the Beverley Folk Festival and for the Prince’s Trust.

In 2005, she received a nomination for a Birmingham music award for best unplugged/unsigned act in the Midlands, and in November 2008 she was in the top three acts

of the Jar Music Maldives UK Breakout Festival. Last year she worked closely with the charity Hestia Housing & Support releasing her track Stronger Than Before as a charity single in January and thus helping to raise funds and create greater awareness for Hestia’s Domestic Violence support services, specifically for children and family projects.

Last month she sang the single at London’s sensational Hotel Verta, and the hotel opened its doors to an exclusive clientele from the music, film, fashion and media industry.

The event also hosted exclusive performances by up and coming singer/songwriter Guy Valarino and David Jordan who in 2008 had a breakout hit Sun Goes Down in the UK charts and plans his new album to be released this summer.

Surianne’s song has been released and distributed digitally through online music portals such as iTunes, Amazon MP3, MySpace Music, and Reverbnation. It was very rewarding for Surianne that Stronger Than Before entered the iTunes UK Top 100 Latino songs at No. 56 just two days after being

released. The single has already received positive reviews: Her song has also received a substantial amount of airplay on national and international radio stations. She has been interviewed and featured in a variety of magazines and newspapers in UK, Gibraltar and Spain.

Surianne was in the process of recording a music video for the charity single Stronger Than Before at the Hotel Verta when the marketing manager, who heard and loved the single, expressed an interest in holding a post launch party, and since this would mean greater awareness for the charity too, she jumped at the idea.

The single itself was released in January to coincide with the charity’s 40th anniversary. “I was selected as Hestia’s single of choice to help raise awareness and funds for the London based charity,” she explains.

Stronger Than Before is a moving story about picking up the shattered pieces and rebuilding one’s life. It is an emotional response, perhaps provoked by a series of events, both good and bad, experienced by Surianne — whose enthusiastic talent saturates the words and the strength with which she sings them.

“The words are a powerful journey of self discovery and self confidence that, through lyrics and music, beautifully describe the process of believing in one’s self,” she says.

Surianne on stage

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

music scene “The event was a huge success.

The support from celebrities, artists, designers and industry could not have been better, especially when all was arranged and organised in two weeks!” Surianne says with delight. Since the event, the profile of the charity has grown and it is becoming a familiar name among personalities and the media.

“This is absolutely amazing especially during these hard financial times where the government has cut down funding by more than 25%! It is very overwhelming to see how an event like that has worked as such a powerful tool to raise awareness.”

And Surianne’s plans for the future?

“Music, music and more music!

I hope to continue to place my experiences and thoughts into lyrics and songs; to grow as a song writer and as a performing artist,” she says. “I have been very lucky to have met some amazing people who have and continue to share my musical journey adding their magic and energy to my songs.

Without them this journey would no doubt be a harder one and not as exciting. They do form a big part

“

of who I am.”

Surianne will continue to represent Hestia, working as one of their ambassadors, voluntarily raising much needed funds and awareness for their domestic violence services — a heart breaking subject not many are willing to talk about.

“I aim to organise further events like this last one... and I will continue to surface a subject that is often hidden and very secretive. I hope that by publicly speaking out against domestic violence, together we can challenge attitudes towards such unacceptable behaviour.”

Finally, what would Surianne say to other local singers who wish to make it away from home?

“Carpe Diem! We only have one chance in this crazy game and it’s well worth taking some risks.

Indeed the journey of self discovery can be a lonely and scary one however it is one that will bring you closer to who, and what you are about.

“Don’t be afraid to uncover the real you, fight for what you believe in and don’t give up — no matter what they say. I also hope that with my music, I am able to make a difference in peoples lives.” n

I have been very lucky to have met some amazing people who have and continue to share my musical journey adding their magic and energy to my songs

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

”

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party time This event will feature a preview of the exciting AiméeJay Intimates swimwear collection for 2011.

Mount Productions are organising the event, and are looking for young men and women to take part in the competition, where experience is not necessary, total newcomers are most welcome, and having fun is the number one priority for the participants.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take to the runway and one of Gibraltar’s most popular venues, where you will also meet the O’Reilly’s Girls, enjoy the Cocktail Happy Hour (at £2.50 all night!), and get the chance to feature in some other Mount Productions events and publications.

If you feel your place is among the audience — don’t worry — there will be prizes for the best dressed male and female beachwear too.

Life’s a Beach at O’Reilly’s The Festival of the Seas Yacht Rally will be taking place at Ocean Village from 14th to 22nd May, and O’Reilly’s Irish Pub at Leisure Island, will be hosting a Beach Party on Sunday 15th May, from 7pm onwards.

So if you fancy getting out your bikinis and swimming trunks, get in touch with by emailing look@ mount-productions.com, popping round to AiméeJay Intimates at the ICC, or contacting Mount Productions via Facebook. n

Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

Grand Casemates Square Tel: 200

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44449 for reservations GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

cocktail time

55 on Sirius

Club Fifty-Five members enjoying the first of this year’s warm weather at Marina Bay onboard beautiful motor yacht Sirius, which is available for hire for corporate or private use (Tel: 200 79655 for information). n

Casa Pepe Open: Mon-Sat 11am-late 18 Queensway Quay Marina Tel/Fax: 200 46967

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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Food Fusion

by Fifty-Five Chef Scott Casey

This month Chef Scott takes us on a journey through a food fusion menu, combining a Vietnamese/Thai earthy confit to start, a simple but unbelievably tasty Argentinian fillet steak and a slightly peculiar but incredibly moist beetroot and chocolate cake. A menu which cannot fail to impress dinner guests... late in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmer- dust with icing sugar, top with a nice dollop of Super Moist Chocolate & Beetroot Cake Bites, Crushed Pine Nut Praline, ing water, mix until smooth and lump free and honeyed mascarpone and then sprinkle with the pine nut praline. n set aside.

Honeyed Mascarpone In a bowl whisk the egg yolks with 2/3 of Serves 8 (if you can stop after 2 pieces each)

Although it sounds slightly weird, the beetroot in this recipe is what contributes to making the cake bites so moist and is an amazing accompaniment to chocolate. Give it a crack; you will be amazed at the result.

For the cake bites: 400g dark chocolate cut into cubes (at least 60% cocoa solids) 6 eggs separated 150g caster sugar 200g beetroot, very finely grated 100ml double cream whipped to soft peaks 75g almond meal For the pine nut praline: 100ml of cold water 200g caster sugar 100g pine nuts For the honeyed mascarpone: 200g mascarpone cheese 5 tbs quality honey (Manuka being my choice)

Preheat your oven to 180°C. Melt the choco-

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the sugar with an electric whisk until pale and creamy (about 3 minutes). Add the melted chocolate and grated beetroot, mix and set aside. Meanwhile whip the egg whites for 1 minute and then gradually add the remaining sugar to form soft peaks which should be nice and shiny/glossy. Now fold the chocolate and beetroot mix into the egg whites, then the almond meal also, being careful not to knock too much air out of the mix. Gently spoon the mix into a well greased or lined baking tray. Place this tray into a larger one and pour boiling water into the outer tray so the water comes halfway up the side of the cake tin. Cook for 45 minutes then turn the oven down to 150 degrees Celsius and cook for a further 30 minutes. Once cooked remove from the water bath and set aside to cool on a wire tray.

For the pine nut praline, combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Boil until the mixture starts to turn into a golden caramel, then quickly add the pine nuts.

Swirl the mix quickly and carefully and tip straight out onto a tray lined with greaseproof silicon baking paper. Cool in the fridge for 30 minutes then transfer into a food processor.

Blend or pulse the mix until it looks like large breadcrumbs. Set aside.

For the honeyed mascarpone simple combine both ingredients in a bowl, mix well and adjust with more honey, depending on how sweet your taste is. Cool in the fridge for 1 hour before using.

To assemble, cut the cake into bite size pieces,

Argentinean Fillet Steak & Sweet Red Pepper Tian, Sonia’s Horseradish & Potato Pancakes, Cracked Black Pepper & Rioja Reduction Serves 2

This dish is simple yet unbelievably tasty.

Restaurant quality and flavour, it will no doubt impress whoever you choose to cook it for.

2x4cm thick Argentinean fillet steaks in medallions For the sweet red peppers: 1 medium red pepper, sliced thinly 1 red onion sliced thinly 100ml hot water 100g brown sugar For Sonia’s Potato pancakes: 2 medium potatoes, peeled and grated finely 1 red onion, diced finely (watch your fingers) 1 egg 1 heaped tbs horseradish 1 tbs plain flour Salt and pepper to taste For the Pepper and Rioja reduction: Half a bottle of good quality Rioja 1 heaped tbs freshly cracked black pepper 1/2 tbs demi glace powder or gravy mix

In a small saucepan add the Rioja and black pepper and bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and add the demi glace powder or gravy mix.

Whisk to combine well without any lumps.

Reduce until thick and sticky. Set aside.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

recipes For the sweet red peppers fry the peppers in a small saucepan for 2 minutes until slightly soft.

Then add the sugar and water and reduce the heat. Cook for approximately 10 minutes until they are soft, sweet and sticky.

For the pancakes, in a bowl add all of the ingredients, mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper. Have a wee taste and add more horseradish if desired. Place the mix into a sieve and squeeze any excess liquid out. In a large frying pan add large tablespoons of the mix to create 2cm by 2cm rounds flatten with the back of a spoon and fry until golden and crispy on one side. Then flip and continue to cook for a further 3 minutes. Remove from the frying pan and set aside.

In a griddle pan that has been preheated cook the well seasoned fillet steak medallions to your desired liking.

To assemble, in the centre of a large plate place a small amount of the sweet peppers, top this with a potato pancake, then a steak medallion.

Repeat this process making a lovely “tian” or stack. Drizzle the plate with some of the reduction and serve. n

making your taste buds do back flips.

up and blend for 2 minutes. Depending how spicy, sweet or sour you would like the dressing to be, balance it out with more chilli for spicier, more lemon juice for slightly more sour or more palm sugar for a sweeter dressing.

In a large mixing bowl place all the salad ingredients with half of the confit trout. Add a generous amount of dressing but don’t drown the salad in it.

Stack nicely in the centre of two large plates, scattering the salads with the remaining confit trout and finishing with a little drizzle over the top with some more of the dressing. n

Flaked confit Trout: 2 small wild or farmed trout filleted and pin boned Good quality extra virgin olive oil 4 bay leaves 1/2 cup dill picked 2 garlic cloves peeled and cut in half For the salad: 1/2 cup picked flat leaf parsley leaves 1/2 cup mustard or watercress 1/2 cup rocket leaves 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves 1 small red onion sliced as finely as possible 1/4 cup picked basil leaves 1/2 cup picked mint leaves 6 cherry tomatoes cut into quarters 1 ripe avocado diced 2 small grapefruit segmented For the dressing: 1 clove garlic sliced finely 1 red chilli sliced finely 1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh not the processed stuff) 1 cup cold water 4 tbs fish sauce 4 tbs of palm sugar grated 3 coriander stalks finely sliced

Firstly place the trout fillets in a baking tray and cover with the rest of the ingredients.

Place into a preheated 130° oven and cook for 30 minutes. Remove and let cool in the oil for approximately 1 hour. Remove and drain on Serves 2 some absorbent kitchen paper. When cool flake An easy fantastic starter or a filling summer the trout into a separate bowl and set aside.

For the dressing pop all the ingredients into lunch combining tastes of Vietnam/Thailand fused with the lovely earthy confit of trout, an upright food blender/liquidiser. Crank it

Flaked Confit of Trout, Ruby Grapefruit & Avocado Salad, Spicy Nuoc Cham & Palm Sugar Dressing

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

•VIP Bar •Restaurant •Private Dining Room

The perfect place to escape or impress

Open 11.30am - late lunch, bar snacks and fine dining Monthly members events, individual, couples & corporate memberships. Contact Louise at 200 79655 or louise@fifty-five.gi

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what’s on

18th May – 10th June 2011

Spring Festival Wednesday 18th May Mind to Mind – ‘Revisited’ organised by Levi Attias at Central Hall 8pm. Tickets from 501@gibraltar.gi.

All proceeds donated to the Calpe House Charitable Trust Friday 20th May Last Night at the Proms — a concert by the Calpe Rooke Band and the King’s Chapel Singers at Alameda Open Air Theatre. Tickets at £10 from the Nature Shop in Casemates Square, £5 for pensioners and children, available from Monday 9th May Saturday 21st May 10am-6pm Museum open day, free entrance.

10am Classic Car Rally, Casemates Square.

11.30am cars proceed along Main Street. 12 noon cars arrive Ocean Village 10.30am-12.30pm Calpe Rooke Band, Casemates 11am Forget Me Not Walk organ-

ised by Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Casemates Square. Registration starts at 9am.

Registration fee of £5. Further info from gjzam@ gibraltar.gi

12 noon Re-enactment Society march to Casemates Square 8pm The Angel and the Fallen — a concert commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion in association with Ministry of Culture and Santos Productions at Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Tickets at £5 from Solomon Levy Estate Agents from Tuesday 3rd May 2011 Tuesday 24th May Spring Art Exhibition, Casemates Exhibition Galleries. Official opening and prize giving 6.30pm.

Tuesday 24th to Thursday 26th May Una Noche de Infarto drama production by Compañia de Teatro Benavente organised by Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association at Ince’s Hall Theatre 8.30pm. Tickets £12 (front stalls) and £10 from the Hall. Tickets at £8 for pensioners and for students.

Available from Monday 16th May from 5.30-7pm Wednesday 25th May to Friday 3rd June Spring Art Exhibition 10.30am-6.30pm, Saturday 10.30am-1.30pm, Casemates Sq. Free entrance Wednesday 25th May

Something of the Marvellous official opening 7pm.

An Exhibition by Finlayson Nature Photography, Lower Exhibition Gallery, John Mackintosh Hall Thursday 26th May to Friday 3rd June Something of the Marvellous an exhibition by Finlayson Nature Photography 9.30am11pm Lower Exhibition Gallery, John Mackintosh Hall. Free entrance Friday 27th May

Our First Decade a dance performance organised by the Mediterranean Dance Group, John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 8.30pm. Tickets at £12 on sale at On Pointe Dance Wear, Casemates Square Arcade, from Monday 16th May Saturday 28th May 1st / 4th Scouts Band at lobby of Parliament House 11am-12 noon. 12 noon 1st / 4th Scouts Band march from lobby of Parliament House to Casemates with the Re-enactment Society 5pm Mother & Child Fashion Show in aid of Women in Need, Alameda Open Air Theatre. Tickets £10 from SM Seruya. Limited tickets £5 for pensioners/children. Available from Tues 3rd May Wednesday 1st June & Thursday 2nd June

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‘La Cancion del Olvido’ Zarzuela 8pm John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 8pm. Tickets £5 from the Nature Shop in Casemates Square from Monday 9th May 12 noon-4pm. Sale of tickets limited to 10 per person Friday 3rd June

‘The Dragon and the Children’ a talk by Adjudicator for the Royal Photographic Society Margret Salisbury, 7.30pm, organised by the Gibraltar Photographic Society, Wellington Front. Free entrance Saturday 4th June Book Crossing Day 11am-1pm lobby of Parliament House 11am-12 noon Sea Scouts / Corvera Band performance at the lobby of Parliament House. 12 noon Sea Scouts / Corvera Band march from lobby of Parliament House to Casemates with the Re-enactment Society. 12.30pm Sea Scouts / Corvera Band performance at Casemates Square. 8pm Sea Scouts / Corvera Band at Alameda Open Air Theatre. Tickets £5 from Imperial News Agency from Monday 16th May Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th June Cancer Research 24 Hour Relay 11am organised

by Cancer Research Gibraltar, Victoria Stadium.

Registration fee £100 per team. Email: relay@gibtelecom.net Sunday 5th & Monday 6th June Sequence Dance Workshops organised by the CCC Sequence Dance, Central Hall. For info contact: Curro or Anna Maria Morro Mobile: 56000222 or Email: morrof@gibtelecom.net Monday 6th June Gibraltar Photographic Society Exhibition official opening and prize giving 7pm John Mackintosh Hall Tuesday 7th to Friday 24th Gibraltar Photographic Society Exhibition, John Mackintosh Hall 10am-10pm. Free entrance Wednesday 8th June Short Story Competition 4.30pm prize giving, John Mackintosh Hall, Lecture Room. Winning stories will be printed in the Gibraltar Chronicle Summer Fiesta a dance performance organised by Urban Dance 9.30pm at Alameda Open Air Theatre. Tickets at £10 on sale at the Nature Shop in Casemates Square from Tuesday 31st May Thursday 9th June

The Beethoven Project 8pm classical concert organised by the Strings Studio, Ince’s Hall Theatre.

Tickets priced £5 available from Beaujangles at 123 Main Street from Monday 16th May or email: info@thestringstudio.es. Free entrance for children under 12 years old accompanied by an adult Festival Finale Friday 10th June Casemates Square ‘Calentita – Tastes from the Melting Pot’ 9pm-1am. A celebration of Gibraltar’s multi-cultural community.

10.30pm Spectacular fireworks and laser display at Casemates.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 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

restaurant bar guide & turn to pages 86-89 for full restaurant and bar listings

SMITH’S

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

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

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

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924 GIBRALTAR 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• JUNE MAy 2011

now also in Casemates

Just A Nibble Licensed Cafeteria Let the ‘A’ Team serve you up a snack or a meal.

Daily Specials • Varied Menu

Open from 9am First Floor ICC, Main Street THE PLACE TO MEET

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restaurants 14 on the Quay Unit 14, Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 43731 Open for lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner, 14 on the Quay offers a relaxed atmosphere inside and al fresco dining for every occasion.

The international menu changes on a monthly basis to offer a wide variety of choice each time you visit and you can wind up your evening with a refreshing cocktail as you watch one of the marina’s spectacular sunsets.

Open: 12 midday - late every day, Sundays 12 midday - 4pm. 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.

large rib steaks from Avila and special to order whole suckling pig.

Savannah Lounge Open: Monday-Friday: lunch and evening 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village meal, Saturday: evenings only, Sunday: lunch Tel: 200 66666 www.savannah.gi only.

Aimed at Gibraltar ’s dining and night-life scene, Savannah has been created with fun and Fifty-Five Private Member’s Club style in mind. Offering contemporary European 267 Main Street Tel: 200 79655 cuisine a wide selection of drinks, cool decor Gibraltar’s premier Private Member’s Club and good music. The venue hosts regular events where members can enjoy fine dining and with invited DJs and shows from abroad. impeccable service in luxurious surroundings.

Open: Sunday-Thurs midday-midnight, Friday Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday and Saturday midday-5am. also offering a daily Business Lunch menu. Once a month 55 opens for traditional Sunday lunch Solo Bar & Grill and holds a variety of culinary themed evenings Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828 i.e. Thai/Japanese Fusion. The main bar offers a Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery full bar snack menu and is the perfect place after — perfect for business functions or lunches a long day at work. On Thursday and Fridays — and part of the popular Cafe Solo stable. you can relax to the mix of Soul & ’80s music Serving everything from Goats’ Cheese Salad, by 55’s resident DJ, take advantage of Happy Mediterranean Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Hour and enjoy the sushi menu from 6pm.

Beer Battered John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, Special occasions or important business clients and Chargrilled Sirloin Steak. This is a delightcan be entertained in the Private Dining Room ful venue in Europort with a cosy mezzanine (up to 10 people). Afternoon tea Thursday to level and terrace seating. Well worth a visit, Saturday -6pm. For info on membership or to or two! make a reservation for lunch or dinner so you Open: 12-8pm. Available for private functions can enjoy the 55 experience contact Louise by and corporate events — call 200 62828 to book phone or email louise@fifty-five.gi your function or event.

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.

Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay Saturday lunch.

For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 E-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi Casa Pepe Overlooking the Mediterranean from Catalan 18 Queensway Quay Marina.

Bay, Nunos’ Spanish chef with Three Star Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Michellin experience offers a variety of Italian Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com cuisine. The restaurant has now moved from Casa Pepe is a delightful bar/ restaurant in its location on the lower floors and can now be the prestigious Queensway Quay Marina. A found at the reception level of the hotel. A quick wonderful location for business meetings, peak at the menu reveals the chef’s celebrated engagements, weddings, anniversaries etc. Salmorejo is on the menu, as are his baby squid Specialising in a broad range of raciones (plates burgers (Insalata di Calamari). From the main to share) with a very comprehensive a la carte dishes you can choose from a variety of fresh menu. Daily specials may include fresh fish fish and meat dishes. Or you could go for the caught locally and a selection of Argentinean house speciality of fresh, home-made pasta beef. With a menu including dishes such as where you can choose from a wide range of opCaracoles a la Llauna Snails, Rabo de Toro Oxtail, tions. Open: Monday to Saturday 19.30 to 22.30 Carrillada de Cerro Iberico Iberico pork cheeks, and lunchtimes for group bookings.

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Maharaja Indian Restaurants Tuckey’s Lane. Tel: 200 75233 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel: 200 50733 With two restaurants, one in the town centre and another on the quayside of Queensway Quay, the Maharaja restaurants have been a well known name in Gibraltar for nearly 40 years.

Whilst each restaurant offers a slightly different menu, you’ll find traditional Indian cooking in these recently refurbished restaurants with plenty of choice to cater to your taste. The Maharaja offers vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes throughout its range of starters and main dishes, and don’t be scared to ask them to spice up the dishes just to your liking. The extensive wine list covers reds, roses, whites as well as cava and champagne for that special night out.

And if you’re planning a night in, you can use their take-away service.

Open: Maharaja Tuckey’s Lane: Monday 10am4pm, Tues - Sun 10am-4pm & 7pm-midnight Maharaja Queensway Quay: Tues - Sun 12-4pm & 7pm-Midnight

The Waterfront Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 45666 Website: www.gibwaterfront.com The Waterfront is a very popular long established restaurant located on the quayside at Queensway Quay Marina. Serving drinks, snacks and A La Carte menus. There are different areas for eating; inside the main bar area or within a large chandelier light covered terrace, or formal and informal dining on the water’s edge. A newly extended bar area, featuring the new Balcony Bar upstairs offers plenty of relaxing, warm, cozy space to enjoy bar snacks and drinks. The seasonally inspired menu brings you market fresh dishes from the land and the sea. The classic winter warmer dishes are ever popular as the weather changes and dishes that remain firm favourites in Gibraltar are always

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

available. Waterfront also specialises in aged steaks; this in house dry aging process involves wrapping the meat in muslin cloth to draw out the moisture over a period of 21 days, resulting in a more concentrated flavour and fantastically succulent, tender steaks. A wide range of Movenpick ice cream and scrumptious homemade desserts is also available.

Open: 9 till late 7 days a week, year round.

The Water Margin 5 Ocean Village Promenade Tel: 200 73668 Gibraltar’s premier Chinese restaurant serving freshly cooked traditional Chinese dishes in the beautiful Ocean Village marina. Check out the outstanding aromatic crispy duck, the special duck slow cooked with honey and chilli or the freshly caught seabass delicately steamed with ginger and spring onion, popular with families looking for a relaxing night dining. No microwave oven or flavour enhancer (MSG) used in this establishment — it’s all freshly cooked and delicious. Home delivery service.

Open: 7 days a week, evening from 6pm, lunch from 12:30pm

l Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625 Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Sat

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 informaleating daily roast with everything on or their all-day breakfast. Non-smoking restaurant with terrace Amin's The Office smoking area. Friendly, cheerful and fully 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932 licensed with sensible prices.

Sit down, informal and friendly restaurant. Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Amin is well known in Gibraltar for his Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisine. Mumbai Curry House Open early for breakfast at 7am right through Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 the day. Try the Moroccan soups, couscous, Eurotowers lamb tagines and kebabs.

Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 Open: 7.00am to midnight.

Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and Buddies Pasta Casa pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627 sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large piaza... in fact all you would expect from an selection of starters from garlic bread to Indian cuisine take-away. Large vegetarian calamari. Main courses include spinach selection. Halal food is available, as is outside caneloni, spaghetti alla carbonara, fusilli al catering for parties and meetings. Sunday salmone, and peppered steak to name a few. specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Dosa and Choley Bhature.

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm -late.

11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm, Sat 11am-4.30pm Munchies Cafe Get Stuffed 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390 Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving range of sandwiches on white or granary all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, pasta, pies, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinks. and smoothies and a different special every day. Business lunches, parties and kids parties also Outside catering for corporate parties. catered for (for party and office platters phone Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat. or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Just A Nibble Open: Mon - Fri 8.30-7, Sat 9 - 4, Closed Sun. 1st Flr ICC Tel: 200 78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, Picadilly Gardens vast range of toasties, rolls, and snacks. Meals Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758 include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli Relaxed bar restaurant with cosy garden terrace con carne, and a great new range of pies (from just across the road from the cable car. English Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney breakfast, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh plus a whole range of tasty alternatives) plus fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat all the old favourites; jacket spuds, burgers, hot dishes. Eat in or take away. Menu of the day dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal only £6. Open: early to late.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers. Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Breakfast from 8.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solo Express Grnd Flr, International Commercial Centre & Eurotowers Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes (white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or hummous, avocado and roasted red pepper.

The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta, etc and are great value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes (such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout the day.

Eat-in available. Soups in winter. Free Wifi.

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town.

Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of!

Open: Monday - Saturday.

Three Roses 60 Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 51614 Refurbished bar with a cosy, homely atmosphere situated just above Main Street (near Eliott Hotel). Offering daily lunch, tapas, special montaditos and several South African dishes such as Boere Rolls, the bar has three screens for live football matches. The Three Roses has a function room for booking at no cost and charity organisations are particularly welcome to use it.

Open: midday - 11pm Monday to Saturday.

Verdi Verdi 44 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 200 60733 Verdi Verdi offers morning and afternoon coffee as well as all home-made vegetarian and vegan dishes, fish, fresh baked bread and desserts. A wide selection of sandwiches to eat in or take away. Delivery service available. Delicious coffees Open: Mon & Fri: 9am - 3pm, Tues - Thurs: 9am -3pm & 7-10pm, Sun: 6-10pm. Sat 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 • MAY 2011

wine column

Could there be a more enjoyable way to clinch a deal

Lunch at The Mayflower Many years ago it was acceptable to have a proper working lunch. By ‘proper’ I mean a meal involving food and drink, especially a glass or two of wine. I do not mean a hurried confectionery bar, a banana and a glass of water taken at the desk while keeping a close eye on the e-mail inbox.

The Mayflower is a quiet catering establishment which offers decent nosh and a bottle of house wine (or something better) at a reasonable price at lunchtime. It might be a smart restaurant; it might be a pub; it might be a park bench in the sun.

It now exists only in the past.

The idea of a working lunch meant you were working with someone else while having lunch together. A surprising amount of work might be done. Neither you nor your co-eaters were on home territory so no-one had that advantage. There were no interruptions to the conversation except, perhaps, a polite enquiry from the waiter as to whether all was well. Previous difficulties in negotiations over the proposed deal slowly melted away as pudding, and the final glass, approached. A handshake and, perhaps, a glass of port might seal the deal about two hours after

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

lunch started. All involved would go away happy and, even if some doubts surfaced later, would still convince themselves the best deal had been arrived at in the best circumstances.

Was it the best deal? Arguable.

But there was still a deal. It had been reached at the cost of a lunch instead of countless hours of lawyers’ time. All participants were content: it might have been possible to do better but at what cost? And the lunch had been enjoyable; all taking part were still friendly with each other; all went home to their families with a feeling of general

benevolence.

Contrast this with frenetic dealmaking without the benefit of a lubricating lunch. First, everyone is cross. This may be because of lack of sugar in the diet, failure to have a proper breakfast or simply a lack of fresh air and exercise. There is water — or perhaps coffee and tea — available. A takeaway sandwich or two may be provided. This does not improve the temper. The room is stuffy and there are only the voices of the participants to be heard.

The smallest points suddenly take on a wholly unjustified importance.

The meeting drags on and on until

Was it the best deal? Arguable. But there was still a deal. It had been reached at the cost of a lunch instead of countless hours of lawyers’ time

finally the deal is struck — subject to checking again tomorrow. All go home to their families, cross and unhappy, with the prospect of a couple of hours sleep before being back at the desk.

But that is the modern way. And those who espouse it have a warm feeling inside because they have worked all hours in order to achieve the result. In the past, the warm feeling inside came, as often as not, from another source. Which warm feeling is preferable?

Note that all summit meetings of politicians tend to revolve around at least one banquet. The accompanying wines are chosen with care to reflect either the glory of the country concerned (if it produces wine) or its generosity (if it does not). The wine is an essential. The banquet and, usually more importantly, the subsequent discussions would be a miserable affair without a couple of glasses. This does not come about by accident. Over many ages and empires, all rulers from despots to elected leaders have recognised the necessity of creating the feeling of benevolence towards one’s fellow man (or woman) which is provided by a glass of wine.

Having established that necessity, what wine should be provided?

Anglo-Hispano have come up with a new Spanish one from Toledo.

At £10 a bottle, Capilla del Fraile is rather good. It may not suffice if you are holding a state banquet (or trying to impress other new friends) but it will immediately loosen the difficulties in a business meeting. It will also keep a dinner party going.

And — this is important — it is new and previously unheard-of. It is exactly the wine that The Mayflower would serve after a discreet cough from the wine waiter indicating he has a recommendation. Sadly, it is difficult to find wines at less than £10 a bottle that are worth the trouble of opening. This one justifies finding the corkscrew. Mainly Syrah, it is a blend which produces a satisfied gurgle and a reach for the pen to sign on the dotted line.

There may be no way to return to happy days of long lunches. But, as civil servants in Gibraltar are currently looking at the prospect a half-hour lunch break, there is no better time to invite a civil servant to a ‘working’ lunch. It is amazing what can be achieved after the statutory half-hour, especially if he is still ‘working’. The glass of wine in the Mayflower will also assist.

I have a small amount available to invest in any venture proposing to set up The Mayflower. It can’t lose. The wine list will be central to the project and we will need to go through a long tasting process over lunch before sealing the deal... n

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A ro u n d To w n .. .

May has arrived and we’ve just had enough Bank Holidays to last for a while! Well, until August at least. It’s starting to feel like summer (after the worst Easter weekend weather ever!) and there is loads to do this month, whatever your tastes.

You can watch Jimmy White challenge our top pool players to a match in aid of Childline on 11th May at the Casino, visit the Dance Nationals at the John Mackintosh Theatre on the first weekend of the month, or take part in the many activities of the Festival of the Seas at Ocean Village from 14th to 22nd May (we’re looking forward to Orbing across Marina Bay and meeting Captain Jack Sparrow!).

The Blades are featured this month on our front cover and they will be doing their daring deeds in their flying machines (actually the ultimate in high-performance piston aircraft) over Gibraltar on the weekend of 21st and 22nd May — it is promised to be quite a spectacular and daring show, so is not to be missed.

The Spring Festival is on from 18th May to 10th June and there is a whole host of activities to enjoy from art exhibitions to dance performances, and a classic car rally to Last Night at the Proms... Wow, what a variety, and of course all building up to the Calentita festival on 10th June (see page 84 for all events).

Congratulations and Jubilations!

First up on the birthday hit list is Chef Luis of Cafe Rojo on 1st May, John of O’Reilly’s gets a year older on 3rd May, followed by the lovely Aida also of Cafe Rojo on 6th, GSPCA’s Charley celebrates on 15th (don’t forget to get tickets for the Animal Charity Gala Dinner on Thursday 26th May to help the good cause and have a fabulous evening - see page 68). Gibraltar Magazine’s number one Italian reader Claudio celebrates a biggie on 18th May. Marvin has to wait until 19th for his special day, and is followed on 23rd by Maryanne,

This page: guests at preview of art exhibition at Sacarello’s

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

Getting into the ’70s mood with the DSA Sequence Dance Club

who just seems to be getting younger. Happy birthday to them all, and to everyone else celebrating in May. One big celebration will be Douglas and Louise of Fifty-Five who get married on 14th... ahhhh ain’t love grand (must be Royal wedding fever or something). And congratulations to John Cortes on becoming a proud grandaddy last month. Don’t forget to keep the info and photos coming if you have a special event you’d like us to mention.

A belated happy birthday to Lynette who was 31 last month (thanks Denis for sending in the pic). And we just have to give an extra special mention to the DSA Sequence Dance Club, who all looked absolutely amazing in their ’70s fancy dress gear at their ‘do’ at Central Hall recently (thanks for the photo Brenda)... why did that stuff ever go out of fashion??

Spice Girls raise money for Comic Relief at Solo Express

Carry on Cruising This month we have no less than 30 cruise ships visiting us, so it’s going to be pretty crowded on Main Street. So for this month at least, we will say see you Irish Town, or Engineer Lane, or even Line Wall Road... Or if you are reading this online and want a hard copy of the magazine, stop by and see us at 17 Turnbull’s Lane (ground floor), where we’d be happy to say hello. Until June!

Lynette’s 31st birthday bash at Cafe Solo with family and friends

Girls night out for a school reunion at Cafe Rojo GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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

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

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

The Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society Affiliated to the UK NADFAS organisation meets third Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm at Eliott Hotel - lecturers & experts from the UK to talk on Art etc. Contact: ChairmanClaus Olesen: 200 02024 claus.olesen@sghambros. com. Membership Ian leBreton: 200 76173 ilebreton@SovereignGroup.com The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355 .

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm-11pm All welcome.

Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 - 11pm.

Dance Adult Dance Classes Wednesday evenings at the Youth Disco Room, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Cha-Cha, Salsa and Merengue. Lessons £5 and all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or dance@trainingtm.net Salsa Gibraltar Salsa classes held Tuesdays at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm, £5 per lesson. Intermediates 8.30-10pm, £6 per lesson (all profits going to the charity Help Us To Help Them). Contact: Mike 54472000 Email: info@salsagibraltar.com website: www.salsagibraltar.com Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome.

Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday.

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 78282 or e-mail manvio@ gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2 - 5.30pm.

All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop & Flexibility classes held weekly at Urban Dance Studio for Performing Arts, No. 2 Jumpers Bastion. Contact Yalta (54012212) or Jolene (54015125).

History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Lili 200 40035, 54006727 St Andrew’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves,

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Don’t be bored... do something fun! 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 club for beginners, juniors and squad at Bayside School in evenings. Tel: 200 Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA & EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441.

Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and

Snooker Association (member IBSA) round leagues and competitions at various venues.

New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 200 72142 or Peter 200 77307.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory (200 75513 w, 200 42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/ Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training. Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.

Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages October-May. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly. Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates. Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front.

Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: 200 41795 or 200 41874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 200 70929.

Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season. Tel: Linda 200 74753.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards, weekday evenings. For more information contact Sally Tel: 200 74661.

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

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

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

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not used for roller hockey training). Tel: Eric 200 70710 (after 5).

Snorkelling & Spear Fishing: Over 14s for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing.

Tel: Joseph 200 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association,

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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 • MAY 2011

support

sports

Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues & Thurs, 11am Saturdays 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 exService 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).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

Med Golf News

The latest Med Golf competition took place at the Marbella Golf Club. The players enjoyed some challenging conditions with the wind playing a big part and holding the scores down.

It was a successful day for Matt Charlesworth who won the Famous Grouse Trophy and a pro shop voucher for 100 euro with a superb winning overall score of 35pts. Winner of the 1st category (0-12 handicap) was Mike Cowburn with 32pts, runner up was Peter Warren with 31pts.Winner of the 2nd category (13-21 handicap)

was Keith Johnson 30pts, runner up Douglas Casciaro with 29pts.

Winner of the 3rd category (22-36 handicap) was Soren Valbro 29pts, runner up Martyn Brown 28 pts.

Best team prize on the day went to Steve McEwan and Matt Charlesworth with a combined 62 pts. The best gross score was Peter Warren with 82 shots.

The Med Golf top ten after this event looks like this: Peter Warren, Matt Charlesworth, Dave Pinniger, Nicky Sanchez, Louis Calvent, Andy Cunningham, Keith Johnson, Allan Sene, Steve Munns, Steve McEwan.

The top ten in August will qualify for the Events.gi Med Golf Masters at Finca Cortesin, home of this year’s Volvo Matchplay competition. The Masters is an all expenses day including breakfast, green fee, buggy and presentation lunch. If you don’t qualify then you can still come and play for the Corporate Trophy on offer!

The next Med Golf tournament will take place on Sunday the 15th May at El Parasio Golf Club. n For full schedule and benefits of joining Med Golf visit www.teetimespain.com or contact Johnathan on 56001055 or by e-mail at jg@medgolf.gi

The Kedhlow Buccaneers rugby team sporting their new kit

Religious Services Baha’i Faith Tel: 200 73287 www.gibnet. com/bahai email:bahai@gibraltar.gi Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 200 52002. Queensway. Sunday service 11am.

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Tel: 200 78377. Sung Eucharist, Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Suite 21a Don House, 30-38 Main Street. Tel: 200 50433. Sundays 10am.

Church of Scotland St Andrew’s, Governor’s Pde. Tel: 200 77040. Worship

& Sunday School 10.30am. Bible Study Tues 7.30pm.

Evangelical Bretheren Assembly, Queensway Quay. Sun 11am, Tues Bible Study 6pm, Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer’s Lane Tel: 200 42515.

Jehovah’s Witness 6 Europort Avenue Tel: 200 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 200 72606.

Methodist 297 Main St Tel/Fax 200 40870 email minister@methodist.org.gi Minister: Revd Fidel Patron. Sunday 11am Morning Worship, 8pm Evening Service. Prayer meetings Monday+ Wednesday to Friday

7pm and Tuesdays 8pm. Communion celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings of the month, and other special occasions. Alpha Course: held Thursdays 8pm. House Groups meet for Christian fellowship, prayer and study on a regular basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Sunday School meets Sunday mornings alongside morning worship.

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, 215 Main St Tel: 200 76688.

The Cityline Church 13 Castle St Tel: 200 75755 email: citylinegib@yahoo. com. Meet: Tues 8pm, Sundays 11am.

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information

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dmission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle). Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Adults £10, children 5-12 years: £5, children age 4 and under free, vehicles £2. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times, tours available by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm). 50p per person to walk with no entrance tickets.

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It’s a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michael’s Cave: The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall.

A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an auditorium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael’s Cave and can be visited with a guide.

The Monkeys’ Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey’s Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe’s only free living monkeys. £500 fine for feeding the monkeys - don’t do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

of the earliest British building on the Rock.

Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad (“Gibraltar” is a corruption of the Arabic words “Jebel Tarik” - Tarik’s mountain). The part we see today, The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu’l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain.

Another recommended walk is St Michael’s Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds.

Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking.

Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket.

Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a

unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’. TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm - 2pm.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Business Information

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission ......Tel: 200 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi Chamber of Commerce.......Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business.Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry...............Tel: 200 78193

Useful Numbers

Airport (general info.)..........Tel: 200 73026 Hospital, St Bernards..........Tel: 200 79700 Weather information.................Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update.......Tel: 200 42777

General Information

Gibraltar Museum.............Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am - 6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Exhibitions also at Casemates gallery.

Registry Office...................Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi............Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the 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.

Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance.......................Tel: 190 Police...............................Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number...............Tel: 112

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one

History Alive

Every Saturday morning the Rock’s past is brought alive by a troop of soldiers in 18th century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at 12 noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a “Ceremony of the Keys” and then march back up Main Street to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.

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Gibraltar Bus Company Routes

Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar.

UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com 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.

Public Holidays 2011

Gibraltar & United Kingdom New Year’s Day Mon 3rd January (in lieu of Sat 1st January) Commonwealth Day * Mon 14 March Good Friday Fri 22 April Easter Mon 25 April Royal Wedding Fri 29 April May Day Mon 2 May Spring Bank Holiday Mon 30 May Queen’s Birthday * Mon 13 June Late Summer Bank Hol Mon 29 August Gibraltar National Day * Mon 12 September (in lieu of Sat 10 September) Christmas Day Mon 26 December (in lieu of Sun 25 December) Boxing Day Tues 27 December (in lieu of Mon 26 December) *Gibraltar Only Spain Fixed: New Year’s Day 1 January, Epiphany 6 January, St Joseph’s Day 19 March, Labour Day 1 May, St John 24 June, St James 25 July, Assumption Day 15 August, National Day 12 October, All Saints 1 November, Immaculate Conception 8 December, Christmas 25 December Moveable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station..........Tel: 200 75728 Police...............................Tel: 200 72500 Gibraltar Services Police: Emergency Nos: ....Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar.

Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

Natural History & Heritage Park

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2011

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14/10/08

14:51

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Barclays Bank PLC. Registered in England. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered number: 1026167. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Authorised by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission to conduct banking and investment business in Gibraltar. † Calls divert to our Servicing Centre in UK. Lines are open 9am to 6.30pm weekdays, excluding UK bank holidays. Local time and rate applied. Calls may be recorded for training and security purposes. †† Calls divert to our Servicing Centre in UK. Lines are open 8am to 9pm weekdays and 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Local rate applied. Calls may be recorded for training and security purposes.