The Gibraltar Magazine December 2020 by Rock Publishing Ltd

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE December 2020 | Vol.26 #02

THE

AT SM SERUYA 2 MAIN STREET

BEYOND BORDERS EXPLORING NEW MARKETS

JUMPER-ING INTO CHRISTMAS

BEAUTY ADDICT THE CHRISTMAS GIFT LIST

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

AROUND THE WORLD IN 7 TRADITIONS

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS DIY STOCKING FILLERS

from the editor

DECEMBER ISSUE EDITORS' NOTE Everyone breathe a sigh of relief; we’re firmly closing the door on 2020. This year has been nothing short of apocalyptic. We kicked off with the Australian bush fires (and subsequent flooding) at the start of the year, followed by a plague of locusts in East Africa, protests and riots, the coronavirus… Brexit? Pah! We’ve been training for you.

REFLECT, RECHARGE, AND REBOOT.

It has been a year of fist bumping. Of stifling coughs. Doing awkward jazz hands as you step away from one another squealing ‘social distancing!’. Where masks are sold on every street corner, and where every sneeze is punctuated by a ‘NOT COVID!’. Who could have predicted such a thing? (Nostradamus, probably.) Biblical events aside, it has also been a year of camaraderie; of slowing down and making a return to what’s truly important. We hope Gib Mag was successful in providing some consistency, connection, and a few muchneeded smiles. To get you in the festive spirit, we have a whole host of Christmassy features for you this month: Ever wondered how the Christmas we know and celebrate today came to be? Gianna’s dusted off the history books to chronicle how each of our traditions have evolved (p. 23). Speaking of traditions, Chris trots across the globe for a sneak peek at other cultures’ yuletide celebrations. Did you know in Japan, it’s custom to dine at KFC at Christmastime? A poultry excuse for a festive spread, if you ask me. Or what about Venezuela, where skating to Christmas mass is the norm? Not very conventional, but we’ll roll with it (p. 79). I think we could all do with a healthy dose of body positivity over the holidays. Isobel is back with her Let’s Talk Real segment, this time eschewing the idea that we should conform to any body types other than our own. This body has got you through one of the strangest years yet – give it that last polvorón (p. 28). Despite the lack of parties this year, we still have some festive fashion options for you, forgoing the traditional sequins and smart ties for cosy knits. Make that living room your catwalk (p. 82). Stuck on what to get your loved ones this Christmas? Our beauty guru highlights a selection of some staple self-care favourites. When in doubt, anything Jo Malone (from SM Seruya at 2 Main St) will do - our cover inspo this month. If you’re feeling thrifty, Amanda has kindly provided us with templates for some fun DIY Christmas crafts! (p. 74) That’s all from me; I’m going to wrap up 2020 in a neat bow, and throw it in the bin. See you in 2021! facebook.com/gibmag twitter.com/gibmag instagram.com/thegibraltarmagazine

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

EDITOR: Sophie Clifton-Tucker editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com

DESIGN: Justin Bautista design@thegibraltarmagazine.com JUNIOR REPORTERS: Ana Sharma Gianna Stanley SPORTS REPORTER: Georgios Tontos SALES: Advertising Team sales@thegibraltarmagazine.com DISTRIBUTION: DHL martin@matrix.gi ACCOUNTS: Paul Cox paul@thegibraltarmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Alex Orfila Amanda Peach Andrew Licudi Bea Garcia Chris Hedley Elena Scialtiel Eran and Ayelet Mamo Shay Georgios Tontos Isobel Ellul Jess Leaper Joel Francis

Jorge v.Rein Parlade Julia Coelho Pete Wolstencroft Richard Cartwright Romina Mayani Nankani Sophie Clifton-Tucker Views and opinions within articles are contributor's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine. The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by Rock Publishing Ltd Portland House, Glacis Road, Gibraltar, PO Box 1114 T: (+350) 20077748 E: editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com Â© 2019 Rock Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written consent of The Gibraltar Magazine. www.TheGibraltarMagazine.com Magazine & website archived by the British Library 6

81 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

41 86 content 08 Hello There: What Celebrity (Dead or Alive) Would You Have at Your Christmas Table? 10 News

52 Short Story: A Christmas Adventure 59 Art Club: How to Draw a Christmas Tree

15 Masbro Insurance 16 Beyond Borders: Exploring New Markets (UAE) 18 Adapting to a New Normal 20 Sovereign Place: New Headquarters

62 Bookish: Our Monthly Book Club 65 Christmas Crafts: DIY Stocking Fillers

LEISURE 68 Champagne at Eleven

LIFE

72 The Scoreboard: Sports News

23 The History of Christmas 28 Let’s Talk Real: Body Positivity 33 Households and Bubbles 36 Hearts of Gibraltar: Luisandro Moreno 41 A Zookeeper’s Diary

49 Earth and Sea: Gavin Garcia

55 Screams and Spikes

BUSINESS

44 Signet of the Times: Worship and Hope in 2020 46 Llanito-isms

SCENE

74 Confessions of a Beauty Addict: The Christmas Gift List 79 Around the World in 7 Traditions 82 Festive Fashion: Jumper-ing Into Christmas

REGULARS 86 Recipes: Christmas Cinnamon Florentines & Brussels Sprouts 88 Information 93 #GibsGems 94 Kids Korner 95 Coffee Time

on't forget to find the D Hungry Monkey!

COVER

79 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Makeup and Styling: Deepak Ramchandani Photographer: Carlos de Lucia Model: Sofia Isabella Camporesse Location: SM SERUYA 2 Main Street 7

hello there

WHAT CELEBRITY (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU HAVE AT YOUR CHRISTMAS TABLE? Ana Serra Christian Santos Principal, GAMPA and Deputy Mayor "It would have to be Whitney Houston who I would love to spend hours talking 'off the record' from singing to her personal life."

President at Selected Tours Italy

Nuria Saccone

"Michelle Obama, because she is truly amazing. She transmits so much positivity, integrity and hope, especially to women! I follow her constantly; she’s so influential in such a humble way, meeting her would be such an honor!"

Director at Pulse "Joanna Lumley… why? Because she has achieved great things for great causes, must have some thrilling stories, and likes wine! It would definitely be a fun, crazy yet inspiring dinner."

Michelle Olivera Pathology Lab Assistant at St Bernard’s Hospital/Personal Trainer at M.O. Training "If it’s dinner it has to be Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. His cheat meals are epic! Love his movies, generally admire the guy for his accomplishments, his kindness and generosity through his charity work in particular founding ‘The Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation’ in 2006 working with at-risk and terminally ill children. Aside from having an epic meal no doubt, I would love to hear about his life journey, his accomplishments, his charity work and some training tips of course. And he was voted sexiest man alive by People Magazine too…”

Want to see yourself or your team featured here? Get in touch at editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com and we'll send you our monthly question!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

When communication breaks down

We are here for you

FAMILY - MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE - EMPLOYMENT - PERSONAL INJURY - DEBT RECOVERY CRIMINAL DEFENCE - LANDLORD & TENANT - PUBLIC LAW - PROPERTY & CONVEYANCING - PRIVATE CLIENT

INFO@PHILLIPS.GI +350 200 73900

news DISCOVERY OF THE ROUND TOWER The ongoing work at the Northern Defences has uncovered an important part of Gibraltar’s military history. This is what was known as the “Round Tower”, a defensive position the exact location of which was a mystery until now. The importance of the Round Tower lies in the fact that it was the only part of the fortress to fall to hostile Spanish and French troops and the last time that hostile forces set foot in Gibraltar. In the months that followed the capture of Gibraltar by the combined Anglo-Dutch force

in 1704, a series of attempts were made by Spanish and French forces to recapture the fortress. Commonly referred to as the 12th Siege of Gibraltar, a number of assaults were launched against the Rock which have not escaped the attention of artists and historians. The closest the Spanish and French got to regaining the fortress was a successful assault precisely on the Round Tower (referred to by the Spanish as El Pastel). The attack was conducted by 300 French Grenadiers supported by Spanish infantry on 7th February 1705. The attackers successfully scaled and captured the Round Tower.

Gibraltar’s most vulnerable northernmost point. The capture of the Tower, which was located at the end of the King’s Lines would allow the attackers to bypass the cannons at the Grand Battery which protected the Landport entrance to the fortress. This brief occupation of the Round Tower, however, was repulsed after violent fighting and a ceasefire followed that allowed for the burying of 200 men.

This assault aimed at exploiting

2020 CHRISTMAS COIN MINTED

coin was a huge success from day one, at first in Gibraltar and later globally, with some of the years now fetching 10 times the original value.

The hugely popular Christmas Commemorative Coin which many Gibraltarians have collected since the first coin sample was struck at the Mint by The Hon Minister Sir Joe Bossano in 1988 and sold complete with a Christmas card has proved a huge success. That 50p coin of 1988 now sells for over 250 pounds, some investment.

This year’s issue will also include, for the first time, a £2 coin which will also be sold complete with

a Christmas card. This year’s Christmas coin collection will no doubt be a sell out as usual. Due to COVID restrictions, the coins will only be available by orders placed via email to: sales@ gibraltarnationalmint.gov.gi or by telephone on: 200 48386.

This week, 32 years later, the 2020 version of the coin was struck by the CEO of Gibraltar National Mint, Albert Poggio given that The Hon Minister Sir Joe Bossano was not able to travel to London for one day to do it because of COVID restrictions for our seniors. The first set of circulating coins of Gibraltar was also an initiative of the GSLP 1988 Government and the first Christmas card and 10

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

news INCREASE IN CRAG MARTIN WINTER ROOST AT THE GORHAM’S CAVE COMPLEX UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE Researchers studying the wintering population of crag martins (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) at the Gorham’s Cave Complex UNESCO World Heritage Site have been surprised by an unprecedented arrival of these birds during the early part of the month of November. During one of two weekly counts of the birds entering the caves in the evening, the

count exceeded 5,700 birds. This figure could represent up to 1% of the European post-breeding population, which is remarkable, and makes this the largest known roost of this species in the world. Previous counts undertaken in recent years had reached a maximum of 3,600 birds which was in keeping with counts in the 1970s (done by some of the researchers of the current project) that placed the winter roost at 2,000-3,000 birds. It had been thought that the wintering numbers had since dropped significantly but no accurate counts had been done until the current project resumed three years ago. It is known that the birds wintering in the caves come from as far as the French Pyrenees and the Italian Alps.

There may be a number of reasons for the observed increase: these birds may have had an exceptionally good breeding season in Europe or a recent spell of bad weather in the Iberian Peninsula may have pushed greater numbers than usual south. Another explanation, in part at least, may well be the protection offered by the Gorham’s Cave Complex since it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. These birds are able to rest and sleep undisturbed as the roost is nowadays carefully protected.

CLUBHOUSE GIBRALTAR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT Positive Pathways aims to provide employment and education for people affected by mental health problems, as part of

Clubhouse Gibraltar Transitional Employment Program. In partnership with Clubhouse Gibraltar, Positive Pathways

works towards decrease stigma and discrimination faced by people who have dealt with mental health difficulties. To support their transitional employment placement, you can: •

ORGANIZE AN EVENT OR FUNDRAISER IN AID OF

You can provide the placement

Why supported not get togetherby with your friends or colleagues and org Positive Pathways Positive Pathways. We are very grateful for those individuals have done fund raising on our behalf. • who Y ou already can sponsor a placement

MEMBER'S TESTIMONIALS: “Working in the Cafeteria gives me a reason to get up in the morning. If I didn’t come I would just sit at home and start thinking about things, then my negative thoughts begin and my depression kicks in’ as I am diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder. I know that I can ring when I am having an off day due to my mental health problems, no questions asked or risk of losing my job. When I come back to work, we can talk about why I couldn’t face work and try and put things in place so it doesn’t happen again” (TEP Placement)

IN YOUR WILL:a placement • A YGIFT ou can provide sponsored by another company As a small charity remembering us in your will can make a re andour managed by Positive continue work. This protects your legacy and is the only Pathways happens to any money or possessions we have when we pas

For more information, contact 200 68423 or email positivepathwaysgibraltar@gmail.com

How you can help: GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 REGULAR PAYMENTS:

Regular funding is extremely important, and we would encourage you to support us with a

A DO IN RE

To celebr some fam donation this way

news CERTAIN FOODSTUFFS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO SPAIN IN NO DEAL SITUATION In the event of no agreement on the future relationship between Gibraltar and the European Union, it will no longer be possible to take certain types of foodstuffs across the border from Gibraltar to Spain. The Government has today issued a Technical Notice on the subject so that the public familiarise themselves with the possible new situation.

ENVIRONMENT STEPS UP ENFORCEMENT IN THE RESERVE TO PROTECT BARBARY MACAQUES The Government introduced a new law earlier this year prohibiting the deliberate touching or interfering with Barbary macaques. This came into force in August 2020 and followed evidence that the SARS-COV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, was being transmitted from humans to animals such as dogs, cats, lions and tigers. The recent development in Denmark where SARS-CoV-2 variants associated with farmed

minks, including cases with a unique variant, have resultedin the mass culling of these animals is particularly worrying given the implications this could cause for Gibraltar's Barbary Macaques in the event that COVID-19 were detected in the macaques, especially if this were a mutation. The consequences would clearly be hugely significant, and could include the need to cull our macaques. The Department of the Environment's Environmental Protection and Research Unit (EPRU) will be undertaking more regular patrols at known hotspots in the Gibraltar Nature Reserve. The public is reminded that anyone found committing an offence will be liable on summary conviction to a fine at level 4 on the standard scale.

As from 1 January 2021, it may no longer be possible for individuals to introduce any quantity of meat, milk, pet-food, or fishery products into the European Union, therefore into Spain. This also includes personal consignments of specific animal products such as honey, live oysters, live mussels and snails unless their combined quantity does not exceed 2KG per person. The details of the new arrangements that would apply are set out in EU law and summarised by the Government in the latest guidance to citizens and businesses. There are other types of foodstuffs that will be allowed across like bread, cakes, sweets, chocolates, pasta and noodles for example. 12

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

news NEW PARCEL POST DIGITAL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM As of last month, a modern digital notification system epost.egov.gi - that notifies customers of the arrival of their parcels in Gibraltar has been implemented. Once you have registered on the site, you will receive e-notifications via email informing you that your parcel is ready. The RGPO will continue mailing notification cards as normal to those who do not wish to register. At the same time, a handling fee of £8.00 will be introduced,

payable on all incoming parcels with a commercial value of £25.00 or over (or 39.00 for parcels containing gifts from one individual to another). The easiest way to pay the handling and duty fees (when applicable) is online. Payment can also be made at the counter. Once payment is received, the RGPO will deliver the parcel to the recipient. If a parcel is under £25.00, there will be no charges but recipients can opt to pay a £4 delivery fee to receive the parcel at home/work.

50 wines by the glass 40 small dishes of Mediterranean cuisine 30 John Mackintosh Square GX11 1AA Gibraltar. Tel: 200 70201 info@vinopolisgastrobar.gi www.vinopolisgastrobar.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

news CHANGES TO PET PASSPORTS ON END OF EU TRANSITIONAL PERIOD Existing Pet passports will need to be renewed for a non-EU version following Gibraltar’s departure from the European Union in January. The remodelled document is identical to the existing one except that it will reflect the fact that Gibraltar is no longer in the EU with the disappearance of the EU flag and the words “European Union” from the front cover. The Technical Notice confirms that in law there should be no change to the controls carried out on pet animals crossing the border next year. This means that pets will be able to cross the border into Spain with the correct identification documents. They will also be subject to the usual checks like the implantation of a transponder, the anti-rabies vaccination and they should comply with any specific health measures for diseases or infections, other than rabies, adopted by the Commission from time to time. The new Pet Passport will be free of charge to those who wish to renew it or at a fee of £20 for new ones (not renewals).

DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT INSTALLS VERTIPOOLS IN THE HARBOUR In order to increase the biodiversity found on marine infrastructures, the Department of the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Heritage is now installing artificial rock pools, called vertipools, on harbour walls. Vertipools are a simple yet versatile solution for creating new wildlife habitat and can help deliver ecological gains in the urban marine environment such as ports,

marinas and harbours otherwise known as grey infrastructure. They increase the substrate available for colonisation by marine species and provide rock pools habitats in what otherwise are plain vertical walls with little biodiversioty. The initial installation of vertipools in the Small Boats Marina is the first installation of its kind in the Mediterranean with additional units to be installed in the North Mole over the coming weeks. The Department’s Scientific Dive Team will be monitoring the colonisation of marine life on these structures in the months ahead and will be providing updates on its findings through its social media platforms as part of its ‘Greening the Grey’ campaign. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Here at Masbro Insurance Brokers, we are proud to have served Gibraltar for over 35 years. Our goal is clear: providing the community with the widest variety of insurance products, with excellent customer service, for the best value on the market.

Our Personal Insurance includes:

Our Commercial Insurance includes:

• Motor Insurance

• Business Insurance

• Home Insurance

• General Liability Insurance

• Property Insurance

• Contractors All Risk Insurance

• Travel Insurane

• Employers’ Liability Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Professional Indemnity Insurance

• Marine Insurance

• Directors & Officers Liability Insurance • Cyber Liability Insurance

We continue to grow our network of international insurance providers to offer our clients wider coverage, better support and more options. As well as training agreements with all Gibraltar-based insurers, we have access to London company insurance markets, international insurance markets, and Lloyds of London. We understand our product just as you understand yours; let us save you the time and effort of scouring for the right policy – it’s what we do.

At Masbro, we’re a family, and we treat our clients as such. Drop in to one of our conveniently located oﬃces at either end of Main Street (143 and 241), and our friendly, experienced team will look after you.

business

BEYOND BORDERS

Exploring new markets. Part I: UAE

ith the Brexit transition period coming to an end on December 31st and with no EU-UK trade deal in sight (at the time of writing this article), there’s never been a better time for Gibraltar businesses to look for partners beyond the shores of the EU. In this trilogy of articles, we will explore markets which are a bit further afield, but nevertheless are very receptive of international business, where Gibraltar companies may be interested to consider expanding to. There is no better way to enter a new market than through introductions and we would be delighted to introduce you to our business partners in these markets. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a magnet for business thanks to its ultra-low tax environment, low bureaucracy and being one of the safest places in the world. There is no corporate or personal tax in the UAE and no limits on the repatriation of capital or profits. Moreover, it is consistently ranked as one of the world’s least complex jurisdictions for doing business, with minimal admin,

compliance and forms. In general, there are two options when setting up an operational entity in the UAE: Free Trade Zone: There is no UAE-national shareholder or split ownership requirement for companies setting up in a free zone – a foreign entity or individual can have 100% business ownership. Free zone companies are limited in what they can do on the UAE mainland (i.e. outside the free zones) but can operate freely everywhere else. Onshore Jurisdiction: Onshore

jurisdictions refer to any part of the UAE not within a free zone. They are subject to federal laws and regulations, with regulating and authority bodies under the Ministry of Economy in each emirate. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

business

Given the highly multicultural population, English is very widely spoken at all levels of service providers from shops and restaurant staff to taxi drivers and civil servants.

The financial and business heart of the UAE is the city-state of Dubai. Dubai has firmly established itself as the most dominant business hub in the Middle East and one the fastest growing economies in the world, ideally positioned at the cross-roads of East and West. Dubai is a city which wants to be the biggest and the best. Dubai is already home to a number of architectural wonders, such as the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) along with the Dubai Frame, the Dubai Palm Island and the iconic Atlantis Hotel. On our recent business trip to Dubai we were amazed to see how westernised Dubai is and how business-friendly it is. Here are some of the key insights and tips about doing business in Dubai:

Dubai is highly international and the ratio of expats to local Emiratis is about 9:1 which means the people you will be dealing with, primarily at executive, managerial levels are most likely to be expats, with the ultimate owners being Emiratis.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

The city of Dubai is massive, both in terms of population - over 2.8 million - and in area size with the distance from one end of the city to another being over 35km. Besides the main downtown business centre, there are several other business districts scattered across the city. You may find it useful to divide your stay in Dubai over two or three hotels depending on the location of your meetings, or you will find yourself spending a lot of time on taxi journeys from one part of the city to another. For meetings in the Deira district we recommend staying at the super modern 5* Al Bandar Rotona Hotel which is situated on the waterfront of the Dubai Creek with wonderful views of the Burj Khalifa and few minutes’ walk from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and numerous other corporate buildings. If you wish to be closer to the Downtown district as well as to Dubai’s Internet City and Dubai Marina business district then staying at the iconic Atlantis Hotel on the famous Palm Jumeria Island would be ideal. This world famous 5*hotel resort located at the pinnacle of the Palm Island offers unmatched luxury and spectacular facilities including one of the world’s biggest aquariums – 11 million cubic meters of water teeming with thousands of fish and marine life (you can even go diving inside it!). The hotel also features its very own AquaVenture aquapark - the biggest in the Middle East- making it the ultimate place to stay in Dubai for business and leisure.

. If you plan on having meetings in neighbouring Emirates such as Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, or even for hopping for meetings from one end of the city to another, Dubai offers helicopter services with HeliDubai which would breeze you in minutes to your destination, whilst admiring the incredible skyline of the city.

It is always important to get some understanding of the local history and culture and no better place do so than at the Dubai Frame. This iconic building has an exhibition that showcases the development of Dubai from a small fishing village to current days along with the future vision for Dubai. Incredible views of Downtown Dubai are guaranteed!

Dubai is highly COVIDconscious and enforcement of masks and social distancing is very strict, which gives a greater sense of safety. So, if you are looking to expand to the Gulf region, East Africa and Asia, Dubai is no doubt the place to be.

ERAN SHAY, Managing Director & AYELET MAMO SHAY, Business Development Director of Benefit Business Solutions Ltd. (+350) 200 73669 general@benefitgibraltar.com 17

business

ADAPTING TO A NEW NORMAL Every cloud has a silver lining.

n my past articles I have written about the great challenging times ahead of us because of the pandemic, its opportunities, and different possibilities of doing business in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very complex market conditions. The world is facing some extremely difficult days which could last for months, or even years. The truth is that nobody knows when will things go back to somehow normal - if they do go back to the normality of pre-pandemic days at all. The changes in some business sectors have been dramatic. It is very sad to see that many brave entrepreneurs will not be able to make it back. But many will make a comeback. We all know to some extent that technology and the digital world are here to stay, but we never thought it was going to take that drastic turn because of Covid-19. The consequences in business of the pandemic are well known to the general public and they are probably too large and important to mention in an article. The fact remains that people are working primarily from home and 18

seem to need less office space from where to work. The next question being will they all return to their offices? Probably not.

Will they all return to their offices? Probably not. Furthermore, retail is not at all what it used to be. Some extremely important changes are taking place and more shops are becoming service sales points, where everything needs to be ordered and delivered a day or two after you pay for your goods. This can be boring and cumbersome to some, but let us face it: this new system is here to stay and more than one person may just order directly online and avoid going to shops. There is nothing new about this. If anything, the pandemic has sped up this new trend. Not everything has changed. There are lots of things that need real

presence of both sales people and customers. But in reality, the new trends are here to stay and not everything about them is negative. Au contraire, there are some positive points to be accounted for. If you do not have to commute from home to the office and back this will save time and money and you may get more quality working hours than you would working in an office perhaps. In addition, the companies will make some very considerable savings on office space rental. It is quite possible that large company headquarters will no longer need expensive high street addresses and may move to some modern business park in the outskirts of a large city with considerable savings. We are, without a doubt, entering a major relocation age which is here to stay. Look at Gibraltar. It is small and well organised. Everything is moving to online services whether we like it or not. And we are not talking just about the government offices. Banks and insurance companies are following suit, and more companies will join them. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

business

Universities are working primarily online. This is a fascinating change which ten years ago would have been considered science fiction at its best. The majority of banks throughout the world are working online and having meetings via telephone or video conference. And it works. Meetings are short and very much to the point. Yes, the changes are very important, but not everything is bad. There is more flexibility with timing. Speed is of paramount importance and decisions are taken there and then without wasting any unnecessary time. At the end of the day one can probably do a lot more in much less time which benefits the community in general.

is a little like the old Coca Cola crystal bottles which needed a bottle opener to be enjoyed on a hot sunny day. And according to connoisseurs they taste better out of a real glass bottle. But this has now been replaced to some extent by either the can or the plastic bottles. But the glass old fashion bottle is still there to be served in hotels and bars. Best of both worlds.

If anything, the pandemic has sped up this new trend.

We will need time to adapt to the new trends, but in the long run it will probably be good in many respects. Not all will be good and there will be people that would prefer the traditional methods. It GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

In the motoring industry similar things happened. You pay a very handsome figure to get a Porsche Cayenne just to find out that there is probably no spare tyre that comes with the car. Probably a repair kit with a small gas bottle to inflate a tyre so you can only just go to the garage later on. And people keep on buying them without complaint. I would not try and cross the Sahara in such conditions if I were you. Again, most serious off-road vehicles do have a proper spare tyre so the change does not apply

to all vehicles. The truth is that changes in the business world more often than not tend to make our lives easier. These changes come gradually and sometimes like now they have come overnight. The secret is to reinvent ourselves and to play the match to our advantage. There are some fascinating and challenging years yet to come.

JORGE V.REIN PARLADE MBA Business Consultant +350 54045282 jorgeparlade@aol.com 19

(L-R) Eamon Bermingham, Darren Whitley, John Blake, Neil Entwistle.

SOVEREIGN

PLACE

he Sovereign Group is delighted to announce that it has now completed the transition of its headquarters office in Gibraltar from 143 to 117 Main Street (now renamed Sovereign Place), a move that marks a significant milestone in Sovereign’s journey and a substantial investment in the future of our business on the Rock. Sovereign was founded in Gibraltar in 1987 and today it is the largest office within our global network. Sovereign now employs

over 100 staff and is one of the most significant private sector employers in Gibraltar. The renovation of Sovereign Place – the conversion of an historic family freehold within the Old Town of Gibraltar into a fourstorey office providing 1,300sqm of Grade A office space – has taken some three years since the Development and Planning Commission first approved the development in June 2017. Many of the original features have been retained in the

refurbishment. As we feel strongly about the conservation of such a historic building, we have applied for it to be listed by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. The features include the retention and refurbishment of the façade, the staircase, the mosaic wall tiling, the marble flooring, three fireplaces, doors, as well as the water well and the basement, which was the original water catchment area. At the same time, the refurbishment has provided modern, well-equipped fully GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

business functional office space with disabled access that will give our staff the space and facilities they need to function and flourish, whilst also providing our clients with a much improved client experience. As part of the process of transitioning the business to Sovereign Place, we have made some key appointments. John Blake, previously Director of Client Services and Business Development, was promoted to Managing Director of Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) in December 2019. John has primary responsibility for driving the growth of our Corporate Services and Private Client divisions through the Gibraltar office. He also sits on the board of Sovereign Trust International, which serves as trustee of our pensions and trust business in Gibraltar and holds individual director positions on several client companies that are controlled functions approved by the Gibraltar FSC. John was instrumental in spearheading Sovereign’s response to Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) business. He wrote and implemented our group policy on DLT and virtual assets and also established and sits on Sovereign’s DLT Sector Committee, which acts as gatekeeper for business referred by group offices. He started his career in the Isle of Man in 2004, where he gained a wide range of industry experience managing complex structures for corporate and high-net-worth private clients. Having relocated to London in 2014, he first joined Sovereign (UK) Limited in 2016 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

before relocating to Gibraltar. John holds the Institute of Directors (IoD) Award in the role of the Director and the Board, the Diploma in International Trust Management from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the International Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance from the International Compliance Association (ICA) and is a professional member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). Darren Whitley, formerly Director of Sovereign Pension Services, was promoted to Managing Director of Sovereign Pensions Services (Gibraltar) Limited earlier this year. Having started his career in international banking with HSBC Private Bank in Jersey, Darren has over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Darren joined Sovereign in 2008 as Head of New Business for Sovereign Group (Europe) and was promoted to Business Development Director in 2015, when his focus switched to the retirement planning area of the business. Darren is instrumental in maintaining and growing our Occupational Pension offering in Gibraltar. He also serves as Business Development Director for Sovereign Pension Services, Malta.

as an underwriter including working with RBS Insurance and Zurich Private Clients in the UK, he specialises in the provision of innovative insurance products for our High Net Worth client base. Neil joined Sovereign Insurance Services in January 2013 to expand our range of high quality insurance products, especially for our Private Clients. Neil is also a prominent member of the Gibraltar Insurance Institute, a body that works to support training and education to its members as well as working with schools and colleges to promote insurance as a career. Eamon relocated to Gibraltar from Jersey where he spent 12 years in the Investment Management Industry. Drawing on his extensive experience he heads our licensed and regulated investment arm, advising clients of the Sovereign Group. Sovereign Wealth provides investment oversight for all Group investment mandates including personal and occupational pension portfolios in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Malta and the UK.

Sovereign’s other regulated entities in Gibraltar, namely Sovereign Wealth and Sovereign Insurance Services are headed by Eamon Bermingham and Neil Entwistle respectively. They have each held the MD title for a number of years and are well known stakeholders locally.

As we know, Gibraltar has enduring strengths that mean it can continue to prosper as a highly developed business services infrastructure where it is possible to passport financial services into the UK market, together with a highly competitive corporate tax rate and a stable Sterling-equivalent currency. Gibraltar offers a stable political and economic environment, fit-for-purpose regulations, a legal system that is modelled on the English structure, a highly qualified workforce and one of Europe’s most advanced fiberoptic communications networks.

Neil has over 15 years’ experience

Between Sovereign’s four licensed 21

business entities in Gibraltar the MDs work together closely armed with a compelling suite of services to drive growth and sustainability for Gibraltar businesses. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s establishing, or supporting an existing business, or perhaps just supporting its owners, our offering spans across employee benefit packages and incentive plans, trustee and director services, accounting, payroll, bespoke corporate and private client insurance, occupational and personal pension plans, obtaining local licenses & permits, plus company secretarial and management, Sovereign truly have the solution. Despite massive disruptions created by the Covid-19

pandemic, Sovereign continues to make significant progress. We have had up to 400 of our 475 staff working from home across 18 different countries or territories, which is a fantastic achievement and importantly we have managed to avoid any redundancies. Companies are still being incorporated, trusts are being established, pensions are being set up, payments are being made, and contracts or agreements are being signed. We have made substantial investments in our systems and our staff and continue to seek out opportunities for acquisition. Sovereign has acquired five local businesses over the past five years and is geared towards

further growth. We recently acquired the business of First Rock Trustees Limited, a licensed company and trust manager. First Rock Trustees was founded 30 years ago with an emphasis on private client work. First Rock Trustees will continue to trade under its own name and its client portfolio will continue to be managed by Emma Cooper, who joins Sovereign. Our move to new premises coupled with an exemplary leadership team represents our dedication to growth in Gibraltar. We are very proud to call Gibraltar our home.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

You all know how to celebrate Christmas, but do you know about its origins? Read on to find out where our traditions stem from, and how it became the holiday that we know and celebrate today.

BY GIANNA STANLEY How Did Christmas Start? Originating in Europe, the first ideas of Christmas began as a celebration of light and a way of rejoicing during the winter solstice in an attempt to keep hope throughout the darkest days. Going back to early Europe, there is evidence of our modern Christmas traditions engraved in Germanic and Norse celebrations. Odin, the pagan God for knowledge, wisdom, healing, and, you guessed it, Christmas, was honoured by the Germans during the darkest days of winter. He was considered to be the ‘Yule Father’, and legend has it he would visit every house within the tribes to the people who respected him. Does this legend ring any bells? Odin could be viewed as the first inspiration for Santa Claus, which GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

is still arguably one of the most famous legends to date. However, the magic does not stop just yet. Very much like St. Nick, Odin had his own gift-making elves who were famous throughout Norse mythology for being the creators of wondrous things such as Thor’s hammer. ‘He knows if you’ve been bad or good’, and Odin definitely did. He would send out his two ravens to collect news from the Nine Worlds, whilst he would walk the Earth and make a judgement of his own. If you’re wondering where the 12 days of Christmas came from, it originated in the Norse tradition. They celebrated the Yule from the 21st of December, the winter solstice, until January. The men of the family would bring home large logs and burn them for 12 days, and they would feast each

day until the logs burnt out. Gibraltarians know how to feast for the whole of the Christmas holidays, so we can thank early Europeans for Mama’s special Christmas dinner. Some Christians actually thought this tradition was too barbaric, which is why it is not practiced today, except in some Scandinavian cities. Saturnalia Saturnalia, one of the most popular Roman pagan celebrations, is dedicated to the Roman God Saturn, and it has massively influenced the Western idea of Christmas. In short, this can be described as the best Christmas party you have ever been to - times a thousand. Beginning in the week leading 23

history We can thank early Europeans for Mama’s special Christmas dinner. up to the winter solstice and continuing on for a whole month, Saturnalia was the liveliest festival of the year. It started as a farming festival where farmers would offer gifts to the Gods, namely Saturn; the God of Agriculture. As more and more people began to celebrate it, it soon became a major festival. All work and business were suspended, and moral restrictions were eased, giving the Romans almost a free pass to do whatever they wanted. Food and drink became plentiful, similar to the Norse feasts, and social order was ultimately turned upside down. Slaves were temporarily freed and peasants were no longer defined by their wealth; everyone was allowed to join in the festivities. You are probably wondering how this lavish Roman party links to the Christmas that we know. Well, we can trace the roots of Boxing Day back to Saturnalia. Traditionally, on Boxing Day, servants and slaves received gifts from their masters, and they often sat at the head of the dinner table. Perhaps, this could be viewed as an early source of Christmas charity giving. Additionally, people often decorated their homes with wreaths, greenery, and lights, whilst wearing their best attire (togas) to impress the party-goers. On the last day of Saturnalia, known as the Sigillaria, many Romans gave their friends and family small terracotta figurines as a sign of love and sacrifice. It is interesting to see how a capitalistic society has exploited 24

Christmas into making it about the gifts, and not the meaning. Remember ‘ho, ho, ho’? Santa got his famous catchphrase from the traditional greeting which was ‘Io Saturnalia’, and people would run across the streets yelling ‘io io io’. However, by 312AD, the Romans began to shift away from Pagan Gods and Saturnalia due to the growing influence of Christianity and soon changed from celebrating Saturn to Jesus. The Christian Christmas Did the Christians steal Christmas? Whilst we celebrate Jesus’ birthday on the 25th December, the bible gives no date for his birth, and many people believe it happened during Spring. After all, why would farmers be herding in the middle of winter? Puritans, later on, used this argument to cancel the festivities - the Grinch really did steal Christmas, huh?

It was Pope Julius I that decided to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, and it is widely accepted that they did this in order to dissolve the pagan festivals, such as Saturnalia. By celebrating Christmas at the same time at the winter solstice, the Christians decided how and when it should be celebrated in an attempt to replace the Pagan religion. This ultimately worked - the ‘new’ Christmas was first called the Feast of the Nativity, which spread to Egypt by around 400AD, to England throughout the sixth century, and even Scandinavia by the eighth century. In its early celebrations, Christians would attend Church and then indulge in lavish parties with a drunken and carnival-like atmosphere - does this remind you of Saturnalia? It was also a day where social order was removed, with the poor going to the rich and demanding the best food and drink - another borrowed idea. Christians also celebrate the Epiphany on the 6th January GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

history government of Massachusetts Bay Colony banned Christmas. The Puritans felt that such occasions were unnecessary and wasteful, arguing that it would threaten Christian beliefs and encourage immoral acts. They also felt that the holiday’s pagan origins would constitute idolatry if celebrated. Contrastingly, the Georgetown settlement continued celebrating Christmas with Captain John Smith reporting that the festivities were thoroughly enjoyed. Whilst

or the day every sweet-tooth Gibraltarian looks forward to. Some Christians in the East celebrate the baptism of Jesus, but the West associate it with the visit of the Three Wise Men. However, the origins of this celebration are also borrowed. According to Italian tradition, on this day, Befana (an old Italian witch, also a pagan figure) will bear gifts and sweets to all good children and coal for the bad ones. In Egypt, a Pagan feast for the sun God was also celebrated on this date. On the previous night, the pagans of Alexandria commemorated the birth of their God Aeon, who was supposedly born of a virgin. They also believed that on this night, the waters of rivers would turn into wine. It is possible that these beliefs may have influenced the birth of Jesus and the tradition of drinking wine to commemorate his sacrifice.

to celebrate Jesus’ birth; this tradition is very popular here in Gibraltar. Some Christians might start Christmas Day with a midnight mass, and it signifies both Jesus’ birth and his sacrifice.

However, Christians also have their own traditions. The nativity is often retold and is a way

The pilgrims that left for America had even stricter and conservative beliefs. In 1659, the Puritan

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

The Cancellation of Christmas and its Rebirth Yes, you read that right - sadly, there was a time when some Christmas celebrations were cancelled. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they promised to rid the decadence and lavishness of England, thus cancelling Christmas in this process. Shops and markets were ordered to remain open on 25th December, and in the City of London, soldiers were ordered to patrol the streets, seizing any food they discovered being prepared for Christmas celebrations. Bah humbug!

The best Christmas party you have ever been to - times a thousand. Cromwell may have banned Christmas - this didn't stop people either, the festivities went underground. Some secret services were held to mark the nativity, families had secret celebrations, and continued to sing carols in secret as a way of keeping the festive attitudes. The restoration of Christmas only came in 1660 through the restoration of the monarchy. After the American Revolution, English customs soon diminished, and Christmas was finally declared a federal holiday in 1876. Origins of the Christmas Tree, Carols, Santa, and Mistletoe The Christmas that we know is a fusion of traditions from many cultures, with both pre-Christian and Christian elements. As I mentioned before, the legend of Father Christmas has very strong 25

history links with Odin; the ‘Yule Father’. Odin was known for taking many forms, but his most common was that of an old, white-bearded traveller in a cloak and a hood - very much like our St. Nick. These ideas were passed down and the modern idea of Santa was established through the fabulous reinvention of Coca Cola in the 1920s along with ‘Twas the night before Christmas’, which depicted the typically large man with a much-overgrown beard. Now, I don't know about you, but what certainly gets me in the Christmas spirit are the carols. There is definitely something magical about playing these songs during the countdown to Christmas. This tradition started out with the Norse singing Yule Carols children would also dress up in masks and go door to door singing carols. Christmas and New Year are probably the main holidays where alcohol consumption is rapidly increased, and we can thank Norse Vikings for this tradition. They would often drink, for nights on end, mead, and specially brewed ales from animal horns.

Germany can be credited with the tradition of Christmas trees. In the 16th century, devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes, and some built Christian pyramids out of wood and decorated it with evergreens and candles. Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, is said to have first brought in lighted candles to a tree, as a reminder of the twinkling stars amongst the trees. German settlers then brought this tradition to America throughout the 19th century, and so it became a yearly tradition. In 1846, Queen Victoria was sketched decorating a Christmas tree, and as she was very popular with her subjects, the tradition also spread throughout England. So much so that by the 1890s, ornaments were arriving from Germany. The invention of electricity brought about Christmas lights, allowing trees to glow for days on end. This brought the introduction of Christmas markets and trees in town squares - making the city just as festive as the home. However, it has to be mentioned that the first origin of the tree was also a pagan idea with the Vikings decorating their trees with food, gifs and small carvings.

The Grinch really did steal Christmas, huh?

Ever kissed someone under the mistletoe? This display of love originates from when Loki murder Baldr with a spear made of mistletoe. Baldr’s death was supposed to represent rebirth. The mistletoe berries later became a symbol of love, hence the tradition of kissing under it. However, best not think about that story if you ever find yourself under the mistletoe… 26

The Christmas Truce Whilst I have spoken about how Christmas came to be, I thought I would end this article mentioning one unique way in which it was celebrated throughout history. The Christmas truce can be seen as an example of peace on Earth - even throughout the toughest times. It shows people

coming together despite their differences and celebrating the cause of goodwill - which I think is the moral of Christmas. On the 25th December 1914, a ceasefire spread across the whole of the Western Front, with soldiers

They would often drink specially brewed ales from animal horns. putting up trees, candles, and singing carols. The opposing sides gave each other gifts like cigars and alcohol - even postcards to write to when the war was over. There were many accounts of football matches across nomans land. These events portray the true meaning of Christmas, which has been passed down for centuries. It is about rebirth, forgiving, acceptance, and love. And there you have it – the history of Christmas. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life

s ’ t e L lk... Ta

Real

‘Let’s Talk Real’ is a podchat page on Instagram (@letstalkrealgib), started by Isobel Ellul (ex-freelance broadcaster) and her teenage son Simon Hammond (student dancer), which posts recorded, fly on the wall chats with Gibraltar individuals about subjects that may be taboo. This month, Isobel and Rosie, who work together for the No More Shame charity, chat body positivity and self-care. BY ISOBEL ELLUL

BODY POSITIVITY & SELF-CARE

behaving and a style we must adhere to at a certain age?

s there such a thing as the ‘perfect’ body? Are we to believe that the slim, athletic type is the most desirable? The muscular and chiselled physique the most attractive, as favoured by celebrities, the media and social media, which so many young people, and not so young, subscribe to and are influenced by? And have women and men in midlife been visually misrepresented for too long, staid and ‘off the shelf’? Should we be defying the media stereotypes we’re used to seeing? What exactly are we to take by ‘you’re going through a midlife crisis’; is there a prescriptive way of

So what impact does this have on the behaviour of our youngsters when forming intimate relationships and working relationships? What impact does this have on the mental health of the population, the pressure to live up to, aspire to and conform to a ‘desired’ look in order to be more attractive and feel more accepted by others? Can we challenge the primary conditioning of family and friends, from a young age, of how we have to look and act in order to be acceptable in society, or is the secondary socialisation from the media, peers and society generally totally overwhelming and all-

consuming as to finally define what is considered ‘normal’ and ‘beautiful’? Well Instagram’s Let’s Talk Real (@letstalkrealgib) spoke to body positivity guru Rosalina Oliva (@_justarose_x), who is also a personal coach. Her Instagram blogs are inspiring, empowering and centrally focus on self-love, self-care and how everyone is beautiful, with no defined desired body type. Her main message is that you do not need the approval of others to shower yourself with love, to appreciate all you are and value yourself. There is no onesize-fits-all that defines beauty, desirability, attractiveness, being. Rosalina herself has been on a GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life Isobel and Rosie.

Is there a style we must adhere to at a certain age? journey, like so many of us I guess, a journey of healing from a place of insecurity or abuse, lack of confidence or low self-esteem. This has impacted on body image and body negativity. Rosalina emphasises the need to remind ourselves of who we are and the hard work we put into ourselves every day to love ourselves, understanding and accepting we too are amazing, no matter shape, size, age. Understandably, with age and life experience comes an inner peace, strength and acceptance, with the magical power of not giving a sh*t about what others think. That helps. And how do we convey that message to our younger GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life generation, to invest in their own self-growth and self-worth, that ‘you are enough’? That the number of likes on your latest sexy social media photo does not define you? That your extra curves, lumps and bumps are part of what make you unique and beautiful? To believe in yourself?

1) The acceptance of all bodies regardless of physical ability, size, gender, race or appearance. 2) A celebration of who a person is as they are. 3) The rejection of unrealistic beauty standards set by the

It’s not vanity, it’s sanity.

media, culture and society.

Self-care and self-love is not vanity, it’s sanity. This naturally leads to body positivity. Follow Rosalina and Let’s Talk Real on Instagram to learn more. #LetsTalkReal #BodyPositivity #SelfCare #SelfLove #Over50andFabulous #YouAreEnough

There are many self-help media sites, inspirational, motivational and healing; mindfulness and meditation are vehicles of recovery. Positive self-affirmation mantras and the power of positivity encouraged to be the norm; Rosalina’s blogs are full of them. Here’s an excerpt: “I will not ever again feel the need to mould myself into someone that someone else or society wants me to be. Constantly feeling the need to shape myself into someone who will be accepted, wanted. Always thinking that I have to change or stick to societal norms as not to be judged. I always wanted to fit in. Correction – I always felt I needed to fit in. As if being part of ‘normality’ made me feel less alone. Less different. Until I decided to embrace me, as I am. As I want to be. My body; mine. To love as it is. To take care of as I see fit. To decorate as I want. To show as I please. Mine to decide if to shave, mine to decide if to cover. Mine to decide how to express my style. Unapologetically.” UN Women puts it beautifully. Body positivity is: 30

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

METAL-PRESSED, VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES

www.gibplates.gi

eet....GIBPLATES, innovators of metal-pressed, vehicle license plates in Gibraltar.

We are a local business registered in 2018 already into our 3rd year providing our clientele with superior, quality, metal-pressed license plates. Our machinery and raw material is all German import, world leaders in license plate technology. Our blank plates are made from aluminium with retro-reflective properties; the numbers and letters are pressed to precision under hydraulic pressure and the plates are then fed onto a hot-stamping machine. This burns hot foil onto the raised numbers and the border - the finishing product is second to none. It might be just a license plate but the amazing bit is the detail in the process...minimal manufacturing tolerances, optimum material properties and a high level of patented engineering; all this making it possible to make a sophisticated product from a supposedly everyday object such

as the license plate. Our metal-pressed plates not only complement any vehicles’ look notably, but they are environmentally-friendly too given that aluminium is made from natural resources UNLIKE acrylic plates. So choose our product and you will even contribute in helping to reduce the unnecessary use of plastic. Visit our website at www.gibplates.gi and try out our plate-maker. Placing an order could not be any easier. We make oblong car plates, motorbike plates, larger square car plates, vintage plates, fun plates and newly arrived customised love plates e.g. I GIB We also make U.K. plates (shipping available). We have 3 types of plate frames (optional) to choose from; ones with GIBPLATES branding, or plain black or silver. The frames are screwed onto the vehicle and the plates are then inserted and

Project part-financed by the European Union

clipped in without the need to bore holes and place screws on the number plates. We can install the plates for you below our workshop or wherever the vehicle is parked; we will also deliver your plates to you. Thanks to my son Leon Alvez, the business enjoys an online presence on social media accounts facebook and Instagram (kindly give us a like). He runs maintenance on the business website and also keeps our photo gallery up to date. I run the business myself and am reachable any time on 350 57493000. Our workshop opening hours are: MON-THU 3:30-6:30pm. FRI 3-6pm. We are at Corral Road, West Place of Arms. We have a sign above our window, steps leading up are on the far left of the forecourt below us. WISHING EVERYONE A GREAT XMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life

HOUSEHOLDS AND BUBBLES

The joyful event is on most people’s minds now; however, this year the above words have to be taken into account... Who’s allowed to come for lunch? How many do we cook for? That sorted, what about the whole festive ambience? Well, Christmas for the Daninos will be merry as ever! BY RICHARD CARTWRIGHT

umbers allowed in any ‘households’ this Christmas, and who qualifies as part of a ‘bubble’ can be a bit confusing for some: ‘Group of individuals with whom you have close physical contact’ is described as a bubble. I have close contact with cafe and bar staff and shop keepers everyday and people I meet with in the street all the time. Can they be invited as well as my close friends? I’m sure it’ll all become clearer as we tune in more closely as we approach the big event. We’ve already had one lockdown this year and we certainly don’t want another one, especially at this time. Much of the celebratory occasion for families needn’t be too different this year: presents will have been bought in advance, decorations put up in plenty of time and invites sorted. What will be different and missed by many will be all-out, raucous, afterwork parties, sizeable numbers at Christmas lunches and other large gatherings of the type we’re used to during these weeks - with or without colourful, Christmassy GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

facemasks. These, for 2020, will have had to take a back seat in order to keep the beast away. But despite the restrictions the COVID situation has brought upon us, Winston and Vicky were determined to make this yuletide no different than any of the ones they’ve so enjoyed for many, many years: “It was the late 60s when we started decorating our home at Christmas in this way,” Vicky recalls, “each year picking a theme taken from perhaps countries we

Can they be invited as well as my close friends? may have visited whilst on holiday or on a cruise, or ideas taken from films or shows.” And that’s so true, now in their twilight years the couple were absolutely certain they would not give up and come up with another imaginative theme to decorate their home for family members, some friends

life and for their own pleasure too, keeping the Christmas spirit alive in the Danino abode. “Well,” Winston chips in, “What better than to keep it topical and call it the ‘virus pandemic’ theme?’ We’ve taken newspaper and magazine cuttings from those published during the year, especially those during our threemonth lockdown in the spring, and worked around that.” They spent many hours choosing items from the publications. Presents are wrapped in copies of the Chronicle, Panorama and other papers, and to compliment the showcase there

are photographs of empty streets as they were at the time, photos of essential workers, our leaders doing the rounds and so many other bits and pieces including some of Vicky’s wardrobe accessories placed here and there around the flat. Also taking pride of place we mustn’t forget the forever, well-dressed Christmas tree which this year even includes baubles depicting the coronavirus

Even the toilet rolls were pink!

icon! “We also wanted to show appreciation for how much help we seniors received during lockdown by commemorating this unfortunate period in our history. We were brought whatever food and medical prescriptions we needed. The Chronicle and Panorama were delivered every day and even our rubbish was picked up from outside our doors, so there was no need to go outside. The support we received was fantastic, and they couldn’t do enough for us. All we had to do was keep ourselves entertained, which we did. Vicky and I would dance, walk around the flat for exercise, watch TV, have a couple of glasses of wine most evenings and get busy preparing our ‘pandemic’ theme for Christmas... Oh, and clapping at 8 o’clock to thank those who were keeping us safe and looking after us during those three months or so.” Some of the other ideas this flamboyant couple have worked on and presented over the years are Chinese and Indian themes, a German one inspired by a trip to Cologne, Marrakesh, Dubai, Japan, the Venice Carnival, Aladdin, and the Victorian era. “And one or two others that have probably slipped my mind.” Winston tells me. “We actually started thinking about what to work on this year at the beginning of lockdown and thought the coronavirus would be good, but how to get the idea going needed a lot of thinking, imagination and planning so we got started and came up with what we have here.” Vicky agrees and remembers how it kept their spirits up during those many weeks getting involved in their very original idea. Christmas family meals will have been given

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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some thought too, and the couple will stick to the ‘household’ and ‘bubble’ rules for sure!

larger flat then, there was pink everywhere, even the toilet rolls were pink!

Over the years this colourful twosome gained ‘celebrity status’ in our midst. Nowadays, that label is much more understated. I’ve interviewed Winston on radio and television whilst at GBC and one time went along to film a piece during their ‘pink’ theme at Christmastime. In a much

In a lovely, smaller flat now, nooks and crannies were found to display the spirit of Christmas which even extended to the outside corridor windows (and yes, toilet rolls were again dressed in the rainbow coronavirus colours).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

There may be a potential slump in our disposition to get too excited about the festive season this year, and some of us might not feel the urge to really get stuck in because of the dangers all around us and the continued use of having to wear face masks – a minor inconvenience but an unwanted nuisance nonetheless. Despite this, Mr and Mrs Danino, like others no doubt, were having none of it and have soldiered on to celebrate this festivity to the full, at home, with a splendid Christmas theme. As a result, I say boo-boo to the virus and keeping to the inevitable ‘virtual’ requirement of safe distancing from home, please raise your glasses and hail... to Vicky and Winston, Merry Christmas! 35

life

HEARTS OF GIBRALTAR Talking to Luisandro Moreno…

BY ROMINA MAYANI NANKANI, CYE-CYL

hen life hands you lemons, you decide what you want to do with them, right? What shapes us is often the way we perceive the situations and challenges we are faced with. We rise, we fall, we fight, we surrender. One thing we cannot take for granted is the power we have to keep going. And this interview, is one that will surely be a great eye-opener of your own take on life. “Luisandro, thank you for being so honest and open about your

journey. How did you become who you know yourself to be today?” I could immediately hear the contagious positive energy in his voice: “Romina, firstly it’s a pleasure to be able to speak about my experiences. Even if it helps motivate one person, it will surely give them a reason to live differently. As a young boy, I was always very keen to take care of myself, involved myself in sports and that went into my teens. I enjoyed working out and trained very often. I was

also extremely ambitious. My older sister Michelle, who is now watching me from heaven, was working in London. So, at the age of sixteen, after completing my GCSEs, I decided to head to the UK. I enrolled in an accounting course and began working quite soon after. One day, walking through Earl’s Court in London, I was approached by a model scout from Milan. He prompted me to consider doing modelling. I was seventeen at the time and thought GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life its too soon. Matter closed and off I went to continue doing what I was focused on.

What about my daughters? My family? I could not face the possibility of death! At 21, I was approached again but this time it was by a fashion photographer. With the encouragement of my family, I took the plunge and signed up with an agency. It was all so intense and such a fantastic time in my life. A lot of hard work though. I was shooting in London, Greece, Colombia, Scotland, LA, and Miami for brands such as Versace, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana to name a few. And I worked with well renowned photographers. What an experience! Eventually I took the call to come back home and settle back down here. The highlight over the next few years was that I became a dad of two beautiful girls. I didn’t know what was coming to me though. I continued my training and positive self-care regime, but things were getting harder for me to carry out. I felt tired, my body was not the same and I developed swelling in different areas. I decided best to see a doctor. What transpired from that one visit, was beyond a nightmare. My bloods were alarming. I was told I needed to fly over to London and be seen to by specialists in Royal Marsden Sutton Hospital - all I GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

could think about were my two girls! I endured painful biopsies and several tests; I could not leave the hospital. The diagnosis came in and I suddenly was presented with my biggest opponent, chronic myeloid leukaemia. I broke. What about my daughters? My family? I could not face the possibility of death! I began treatment almost immediately, but the leukaemia continued to advance from chronic to acute. I was losing weight rapidly. One of the days, my body temperature was extremely high, and I entered a semi-comatic state, unable to move or even open my eyes. I could hear the doctor tell my mother “We have done all we can, now it’s up to him to try and

fight”. With great despair, she looked to the nurse standing by her and asked, “What can I do now?”. The nurse who was of Irish Catholic belief replied, “Have faith and pray”. In that state, must have been a 37

life few hours later or the day after, I had a breath-taking vision. I was standing by the rocks overlooking Caleta Beach, beautiful and bright and I felt full of energy. It was my push, my drive, my fight to not lose this war with my body. And the prayers and support from people, those were my vitamins to keep trying.

The prayers and support, those were my vitamins to keep trying. After the 3rd round of chemotherapy (this was by the 9th month), there were no signs of leukaemia! I did however need a bone marrow transplant desperately. My sister Marie was my donor. The most precious angel who saved my life! I remained in the UK for another year and I was only able to see my kids a handful of times. But each time, I knew I would make it for them, my loved ones and for myself. I wanted to live. I was able to return to Gibraltar, but unfortunately, I developed Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). It is a disease caused by the body’s adjustment to the bone marrow transplant received from a recipient with slightly different genetics. I was swollen, very tired again and I could not recognise myself in the mirror with everything I had endured. But No! I was not going to give up. At 5.45am every morning my alarm would go off. There were days I had no energy to turn over to switch it off. But I made it my goal. I was going to try to get up

and start my training again. And you know what? I did it. And I didn’t give up! I fought and I persevered, and I did my best to conquer my mind and push my body. Today, I am 2 years cancer free and I feel like a whole new person.” I can’t even describe how many times I held back my tears and felt goosebumps listening to his story. “Luisandro, can I ask what drives you today?” “I motivate myself to keep going. I have tattoos on my body which tell my story. The phoenix is one of my best symbols. RISING FROM THE ASHES. And I am due a new one soon a Lion, my symbol of strength. I see the person I am today, and I am so grateful to everyone who helped me along the way and who sent such fantastic messages throughout. My family, my friends, the GHA, my doctors, clients, the list is endless and of course my father

and sister who are no longer with us. I always say there are 2 roads in life, the easy one and the hard one. You have the choice. Try to challenge yourself with your own hard effort to overcome your obstacles, and you will come to see the change and the beauty you have achieved from your hard work. We all have that capability.” Luisandro Moreno. This is but a brief insight into this amazing person’s world. I personally learnt a lot from my conversation with Luisandro and it sprinkled a fantastic dose of inspiration and encouragement to keep living life no matter what comes your way. I really hope it does for you too. Luisandro is currently the Director & Owner of Phoenix Real Estate. If you would like to get in touch with him you can do so on luisandro@phoenixgib.com. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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life

Savannah the monitor lizard, cuddling up to Keeper, Emily

life

A ZOOKEEPERS DIARY Our monthly spotlight on the superstars at the Alameda Wildlife Conservation Parkâ&#x20AC;Ś and their keepers!

g ns enjoyin p tamari to n o tt o C tunnels their new

BY JESS LEAPER

020, what a year it has been. A tumultuous year for most, and the AWCP has been no exception. We began 2020 still tingling from the success of 2019; a year jam-packed with exciting developments, new ideas and projects. We had reached our target for the Alameda Overground project, with help from some very generous donors; Playtech, GVC, Ocean Village, WTC, Advantage Insurance were the first to secure their tunnels and stations that will allow great freedom and stimulation for our primate inhabitants. We held four very successful events throughout the year, teaming up with Ocean Village and Dusk night club in the spring and the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens in the autumn. With the tunnels measured and ordered,

funds raised and in the bank, we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to get started in the new year. COVID-19 and the lockdown were, for all zoos across the world, in a word, devastating. Animals still needed to be fed and cared for, but without visitors and crucial income, this left many precariously close to the breadline. The impacts of this have been far-reaching, the knock-on effect on conservation projects supported by zoos has also been massive. For the AWCP, we were fortunate to have had one of our most successful years ever in 2019, thanks to the hard work of our team, which, with Government funding for our basic running costs, will go some way to helping us through these hard times and ensuring

the continuation of our projects. The lockdown was tough for our small team, keeping our animals healthy and happy, but we made it through and we will enter 2021 ready to surpass our dreams for 2020. Post lockdown, Head Keeper, Steve Bryant, who was forced to quarantine due to an underlying health condition, has worked extra hard to make up for lost time. Steve has worked in UK zoos for over 25 years, both large and small, gaining invaluable hands-on experience, not just with many exotic species, but also building and maintaining enclosures for these species. This has been invaluable for reducing the costs of many of the projects at the AWCP. 41

life Head Keeper Steve Bryant in action

small team. Campaigns such as SelfieAware, Conscious Eating Gibraltar, and Habits for Habitats have been crucial in promoting matters close the AWCP’s heart. Tackling issues related to the illegal (and legal) trade in animals, climate change, sustainability, habitat destruction and the far-reaching consequences of our everyday choices, have been central to the AWCP’s mission. Since overseeing the parks renovation in 2013, as manager of the zoo, one of my key aims has been to develop the staff culture. Attracting experienced zoo professionals is key to the park’s success and progression. Steve was the first UK zoo professional to join the team back in 2015, but his links to the AWCP go back much further to 2002, when he used his extensive zoo experience to help open the Wildlife Park to the public for the first time.

As Head Keeper, Steve is often onsite from 8am. This gives him time to check on all the animals before the keepers arrive at 9am and also to plan his day. With a full team of keepers, interns and volunteers, the AWCP Park Manager (me!) and Head Keeper With skills in have more time on their hands to welding, carpentry 11 12 1 concentrate on developing the and building, 10 2 park projects and campaigns. there’s not 9 3 As the keeper team has much Steve 8 4 developed, it has finally given doesn’t turn 7 6 5 me, as manager, the space to his hand to. In further develop all other aspects a small team, it is of the park, from marketing, essential that every building connections, both in team member gets involved in Gibraltar and internationally. For all aspects of the running of the many years this was done as a zoo. Prior to lockdown, Steve and sideline to the daily care of the myself put our heads together and animals in the park, alongside the finalised the designs for the new

11 12 1 10 2 9 3 8 4 7 6 5

breeding area for the cotton-top tamarins, something that’s been in the pipeline for many years. In 2019, this breeding facility was generously funded by Playtech, but with the lockdown and subsequent interruptions, the project has been delayed. Thanks to Steve’s determination and the support of the team, it is expected to be finished by the end of the year. One of the most exciting moments for the AWCP team this year, was releasing two of the cotton-top tamarins into their new, larger and higher, outdoor space. For the first time ever, these critically endangered tamarin, siblings, Frank and Poppet, are able to see above the park boundary, glimpsing the fantastic coastal views. They have also since realised, with great delight, that they are able to keep an eye on the keepers while they take their tea breaks. They were not the only tamarins in for a surprise. Our other group of tamarins Kenco and Florence, were delighted to discover their new tunnel and tree-house platform. This tunnel was the first of our Alameda Overground tunnels to be sponsored and it was generously sponsored by GVC. We watched with excitement hoping they would go through the newly installed tunnel, but with the full team of staff and volunteers with cameras poised, the tamarins became suspicious and refused to budge. They obviously thought it was a trap! Keepers had to wait until the next

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life

Aside from the larger building projects at the park, Steve also oversees the general maintenance of the zoo. Keepers are also encouraged to get their hand dirty and to develop their building and maintenance skills. New keeper, Mike Paricos, has plenty of experience working in small, developing zoos in the UK. He has recently begun a project at the park to create an area for our Savannah monitor lizard. Alongside his daily keeping tasks, Mike has been using his carpentry skills to build a boundary fence. This is just a temporary home for Savannah, near to his current home in the staff cabin area, adjacent to the park. We hope to give him access on warm, sunny days so he can soak up some rays. Savannah, or Bosc’s lizards are a medium sized monitor lizard, native to sub-Saharan Africa. Having been a pet for so long, Savannah is far too used to the comforts of modern living, we hope this area will help to bring out the ‘wild’ in him and allow him to express his natural burrowing behaviours. There are longer-term plans for him to live in a larger area within the park.

11 12 1 10 2 9 3 8 4 7 6 5

Since the lockdown, the AWCP has managed to hold some smaller fundraising events, to make up for the loss of our usual open days. In August the cotton-top tamarin day was held with the Eco-Spirit and GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Animal Movement team, celebrating all things tamarin. The money raised will go directly to Proyecto Titi in Columbia, where Rosamira Guillen and her team are working hard to save this critically endangered species by creating protected reserves. During Mid-term in October we held a very successful Zoo Boo Week to replace our usual oneday event, spread throughout Midterm. To comply with restrictions and to keep our staff, visitors and animals safe, we held small, ‘spooky, but educational’ tours throughout the week, for small groups, with our ‘zombie keepers’. Those unable to secure bookings in time were able to visit the park as usual and enjoy the Halloween decorated tunnels, Feasts with the Beasts, Halloween beastly bug hunt and Breakfast with the Bats. The whole week was a resounding success and we raised over £3,000 for the park and its conservation projects. Definitely a highlight of this challenging year. Looking forward to the coming year, the AWCP has a lots of exciting projects in the pipeline: the completion of more tunnels for the Alameda Overground project, the revival of the AWCP’s affiliated charity and launch of Wild Animal Conservation Trust (WildACT), working towards rewilding native species in Portugal and Strategic Planning for the next 5-10 years of the AWCP. We will also be introducing

Keeper, Mike Paricos

day when the tamarins felt more reassured and ventured into the tunnel for the first time, exploring their new, tree-top home. Keep an eye out for the tamarins overhead on your next visit to the park!

exciting developments in our Membership Scheme, offering more benefits and options to our members with our membership bundles. We will be launching our Wild Guardians fund, to offer people the chance to fund a ‘Patch of Wild’. We are also looking forward to a new conservation scheme that will secure guaranteed funding each year for the conservation projects we support around the world, as well as expanding our education for schools to include outreach sessions on a variety of topics. Not bad for a ‘small zoo with a big message’. If you would like to find out more about our projects at the AWCP, visit www.awcp.gi, find them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or email info@awcp.gi. The AWCP are still looking for sponsors for the final tunnels for the Alameda Overground Project. If your company would like to get involved in this fantastic project, please get in touch! 43

life

SIGNET OF THE TIMES Worship and hope in 2020.

BY ELENA SCIALTIEL

eet Ian Tarrant, the new Dean of the Anglican Church of Gibraltar and Europe, finally installed last 13th October, after six months of ‘cyberservices’ and socially distanced Sunday worship. He first landed in Gibraltar on 16th March, ahead of his official installation scheduled for 2nd April, with high hopes to meet as many parishioners as possible, and to kick off his ministry in his new tight-knit congregation. But other plans were concurrently put in place. Contingency plans. Lockdown swooped worldwide and places of worship were shut to worshippers! “I was given the keys to the Cathedral, and I temporarily lodged at the hotel just opposite. I had planned to explore local bars and restaurants for my meals, an opportunity to soak the local lifestyle and meet people, but they were shut, so I ended up exploring supermarkets and takeaways instead, making the most of the microwave available in my office…” Ian recalls his first impression of Gibraltar, tainted by the impossibility of chatting to anyone, and the sense of unease

striking the community in unusual and testing circumstances. The quirkiest challenge he had to rise up to was setting up his ‘virtual church’: thrown at the deep end in an echoing cathedral, with his laptop propped on the altar, Rev. Tarrant describes himself as a deejay broadcasting services and sermons to his ‘virtual’ congregation connected from home.

“We had to work out a way to reach out to the self-isolating." “We had to work out a way to reach out to the self-isolating. I would deliver my service and then, at the press of a button, I would launch pre-recorded videos submitted by some of my parishioners. I was impressed by their participation, how willing and able they were to record themselves, perhaps for the first time ever, reading Bible passages or singing hymns.” And with the internet at the service of the service, the

congregation returned to the cathedral in June, albeit social distancing, and sitting in a check pattern, with ‘no handshakes’ becoming the new normal. Ian’s laptop moved away from the altar: “A lot of people were still following me from home, so I entrusted my laptop to my assistants, and a live camera fed the service to housebound churchgoers in real-time.” Ian expects to remain in Gibraltar for the five years left to his retirement, and after that he hopes he and his wife Sally will be able to visit their children and grandchildren more often. “Sally is continuing to teach mathematics at the London School of Economics for one more year, so she is at the moment commuting to the UK weekly,” he says. “Our children live in Ghana, Germany and Australia, and we are looking forward to meeting a new grandson born there during lockdown.” Rev. Tarrant started his career in west London, but then moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo when it was still called Zaire, ‘blessed with lush tropical fruit’. He has fond memories of his time there: “My children grew up in GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life Africa, and now they are citizens of the world. The climate was mild, with no greater extremes than in typical English summer. People were often poor, but had a positive, hopeful outlook on life.” A lesson is to be learnt from their lifestyle, with life expectancy still at around fifty, to give us strength and hope through the pandemic: Westerners just assume a right to a long, comfortable life into their seventies or eighties. Instead, we should acknowledge that we carry more duties than rights - hence we have a duty to others, especially the weak and vulnerable, to make and keep them safe. So, his core message for 2021 is about continuing trusting in God and looking into ways to make life better for someone else. Furthermore, the Church of England is expected to go carbonneural by 2030, and Ian is musing about installing solar panels on

the roof, while his priority remains repainting inside and out, a task already started, because of the longstanding leak that needed tackling. The Holy Trinity has a sound tradition of hosting cultural events, and Ian wants to further this, as soon as social restrictions are lifted: concerts, conferences, fundraisers are in the pipeline. To uphold the Cathedral’s reputation as a beacon of hope during crises (“Soon after it was built, this building was commissioned as a makeshift hospital during the yellow fever epidemic,” he reminds us), Ian organised a course titled ‘Joy, Love & Hope’ to refresh on the basics of the Christian faith: “It is a Zoom meeting so far, but if it’s successful, we hope to hold face-to-face reruns in the new year. People of strong faith may struggle with talking about it, so I’d like to offer a platform to express and share it.”

"I’d like to work together to promote outreach and understanding.” And after having met with leaders of other Christian denominations, he is set to cooperate with Hindus, Jews and Muslims too: “Upon my return from Congo, I was the university chaplain in Nottingham, and later I was in Redbridge, East London, a suburban area with diverse cultures and traditions. Here, we held regular forums with other religious leaders on universal themes like education, marriage, birth and death, as they are seen across different faith traditions: I’d like to set up something similar here too, and work together to promote outreach and understanding.” Reverend Dean Ian Tarrant

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life

LLANITO-ISMS They say Gibraltar is bilingual - Pete discovered it's almost trilingual.

BY PETE WOLSTENCROFT

oé chiqillo, tengo que trabajar mucho overtime este weekend. This was my first introduction to the Llanito variety of Spanish as spoken on the streets of Gibraltar. Whilst traditional Castillian Spanish might provide some of the building blocks of Gibraltarian Spanish, much of the scaffolding that holds the structure in place is a lot more exotic. With a history of attracting people from: Britain, Genoa, Malta and Morocco, it is hardly surprising that the lingua franca of Main Street is a linguistic smorgasbord. All my colleagues could swear creatively and offensively in Moroccan Arabic, but aside from the obscenities only three other Arabic words were common parlance. (Forgive the transliteration: this is my own personal form of notation.)

Everybody knew that floosh was money (presumably related to being flush when we are in the money) hamsin was five and shokran was thank you. Just about 46

every Moroccan I ever met was tri-lingual, being equally at home with English, Spanish and their native Arabic. British residents of the Rock largely conformed to national stereotypes, and spoke English to the exclusion of everything else. The odd half-hearted dos cervezas might occasionally be brought out of the broom cupboard for trips to the Costa del Sol, but, by and large, monolingualism was the order of the day. Gibraltarians are bilingual: Spanish – the Llanito variety – being the language of home, and English being the official language. If you speak the more traditional variety of Spanish, Llanito takes a bit of getting used to. Ahú was a phrase used to get the speaker off the mark, along with the aforementioned joé. Friends and colleagues were referred to as compá or migasho. Anything complicated, technological or new was usually referred to by its English name. Trades too, were, more often than not, rendered in

English. This led to such questions as: “¿Dónde tán los fitters? You could always resort to carrying a little bilingual dictionary in your pocket, but they weren’t much good for things like: seagull – pavana, or lazy – gandul. Amidst the cacophony of the dockyard, shouting would get you nowhere, but a shrill whistle made by sucking air in between the teeth, would cut across any noise and would get the attention of the person you wanted to talk to. Those Brits who did try out their Spanish usually showed a wilful disregard for accents and any other signposts that would point out the way to correct pronunciation. Spanish Águila beer was wrongly pronounced with the spoken stress on the second syllable. This tendency led to one of the funniest spontaneous remarks I have ever heard. A well-known watering hole had just replaced one Spanish brand of lager with the Águila brand. A friend of mine walked into the GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

life bar and I asked him what he was having. After a quick scan of the pumps he answered: “I think I’ll have an ageela,” to the tune of the well-known Israeli folk song Hava Nagila.

They must have thought I had supernatural reflexes. It may have been wrong of me, but for quite a while, I kept the fact that I spoke Spanish to myself. This came in particularly handy during the time that I

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

boxed at the DSA sports club. The coach would often encourage the local lads to go for the gancho, whereupon I would defend myself against the hook that I knew was headed my way. They must have thought I had supernatural reflexes. Eventually I came out as being (almost) bilingual and from that time it became a point of honour with some of my colleagues to see who could come up with the cleverest ways of using language. A friend of mine once told me he was off to the dockyard store to get a new monkey. When he came back with a pristine set of overalls, the penny finally dropped.

In La Línea, I stood out from the rest of the ex-pat community by virtue of my language skills. In bars, I would always ask for a caña or a tubo, to demonstrate my linguistic chops. But naturally I still made mistakes. During one long bus trip, a chap of mature years was holding forth to all those who would listen. It seemed to me that he was talking about a particular woman. Eventually, my curiosity got the better of me and I asked him which specific woman he was talking about. Cue gales of laughter from all those who heard my question. It turned out he wasn’t talking about just one woman, but all of womankind. Still, you live and learn.

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Five years ago, he was featured in this magazine for his promising artwork of stylised landscapes and sketched portraits, deconstructed in lines and stains, achieving harrowing intensity in their essential analysis of character and emotion…

scene

EARTH AND SEA BY ELENA SCIALTIEL

his year has been a first for many. But despite the uncertain climate in which we live, one of the amazing things about this year is the number of people who have started to create art or have rediscovered their love for it. Whether it be to keep those mental health issues at bay or as a form of entertainment, this creative revolution has been widespread. Five years later, Gavin Garcia is keeping his promise, actually exceeding it, with a new portfolio of seascapes exploiting muddy hues, assertive brushstrokes with the cheeky intervention of the palette knife and an affectionate eye for anything rickety, tatty, humble and d’antan. Gavin has been living and working in London for the past ten years: “I'm based in England. I've made it my home for the past decade and I work from my house. I don't have a studio, so there are times where the scale of my work is compromised by my surroundings. This can present its own practical challenges when an idea is first approached and realised.”

49 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Gibraltar is still pretty much his main inspiration, with his aerial views or facades of the Old Town, and his nostalgic tribute to fishermen’s life. Los Pescadores del Ayer, entered in the National Week’s ‘Our Gibraltar’ exhibition, attracted my attention amidst the high standard of entries because of its vintage quality: a pretty picture painted in the style of turn-of-last-century avant-garde painters, post-Impressionist and naïve, with some poetic licence in the treatment of perceived perspective, and attention to the geometric texture of the background. But what struck me the most was the colour combination used; despite clearly being a seascape, the blue palette is almost absent! It features only en passant in the flaky sky-blue trimming of the farthest boat, jutting into a pewter-hued sea under milky skies. The rest of the painting is all about subdued earthy tones, from the olive greens of the Rock in the background to the ivory sand, and sugar-cube houses with crusty-bread roofs: understated vibes that reflect the ineluctability

of the fishermen’s livelihood, coming to terms with their silent daily labour at the mercy of the elements, and the weight of grey days hunching their shoulders and flopping their berets. “My most recent work focuses on boats and the sea, a subject new to me,” Gavin says. And indeed, he’s been painting several types of boats and barges, where sky or sea blues are still notably absent, except for the vessel’s paintwork, curiously enough. “The next chapter is now heading towards larger work and the human form again. I've also been exploring the spaces where we live, with a particular interest in those forgotten or tucked-away areas, including Gibraltar's old town, which has been a constant source of inspiration within my work.” Yes, his Gibraltar cityscapes are laden with nostalgia for gangedup buildings which seem to hold each other up with their slightly wobbly, organic lines, shabby shutters, and arched doorways, always in palettes fitter for a bakery than a fine arts studio, and, surprisingly, criss-crossed by 49

art at inspiring in the onlooker a feelgood atmosphere about Gibraltar, viewed from a different angle, both in time and space, and he wouldn’t suggest to go out of your way to seek cryptic messages in it, except the sense of unity and community that his land and seascapes spark.

aerial electricity cables, a quaint yet unsafe sight usually to behold in Andalusian pueblos blancos only. Gavin paints mostly places he has visited personally: “Working from first-hand sources is important to me, as I feel that having a connection to a location I've been to, and documented, can create a stronger bond between artist and work. Going out into the world, documenting, and then creating work based on my personal ‘excursions’ creates a bond with myself and hopefully the onlooker.” And what about his signature portraits, so bare and yet so vivid? “Portraiture and the human form took centre stage in my work, but have recently taken a step back. It's always there in my mind, whether in the form of future ideas, or how I see people and the body, not just their faces. I will always be drawn to the human figure and portraits.”

drawing, which tends to be fairly quick, into painting production, drifting away from an overuse of detail.” Fast and thorough can indeed be matched: “The focus instead is on trying to achieve an energy and emotion through my oil paintings. Often, I'm fraught between figurative and trying to capture that magic of expression, regardless of how realistic the work is.” With a bit of an ‘inner battle’, though: “The battle isn't yet over. I certainly have grown in confidence as to how I feel about my lines, marks and paintings in general; yet, I'm still quite critical of them and will continue to be.” His art aims at being enjoyed and

“The message can vary depending on what type of paintings I'm producing. Whether this was based on trying to feel a connection to Gibraltar and the sea during lockdown I can't say, but it meant that for a period of time I was driven to my origins. Prior to this, it's usually been about people as individuals, striving to go deeper than the physical surface of the painting. Every work takes a little piece of you, but also gives something back, consciously or not.” Not figurative, not abstract, Gavin’s work is ‘simply Gavin’, and hits the bull’s-eye in stirring an emotion: “I wouldn't say my works are conceptual, I do strive for a painting that just works.” Visit GavinGarciaArt.com for updates on Gavin’s artwork, like his Facebook page or follow him on Instagram.

He shuns from describing his own style, stating he prefers others to comment on what they see in his work, which he would catalogue within expressionism. “I'd say there is an expressive nature to my work, and I try to bring my 50

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

short story

A christmas adventure By Ana Sharma

t was the eve of Christmas, and the clouds hung low, deep and dark, in the sky. The frost had found its way into the warmest and brightest of houses, clinging to the tree branches, verandas and doorways, like an impenetrable film of white. It was a time of hope, a time of longing, a time of loneliness. And yet, it seemed like the beginning of everything, in the strangest of ways...

... River lay wide awake, his brown, unblinking eyes fixed upon the glow-in-the-dark stars which lay above his head, twinkling down at him. A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind, considering what tomorrow would bring. River had always been that way. An inquisitive child from birth, he possessed an insatiable appetite for adventure, and the deepest desire to uncover all the hidden mysteries of life. And yet, though he was feverish at the thought of tomorrow, fear settled itself onto his chest, pressing down upon him. What would happen if tomorrow never came, if this moment froze in time, immoveable, for ever? Or if it came in that slow, slippery way exciting things always appeared 52

to come? Would he be able to bear it? Not for the first time that evening, he restlessly climbed out of bed, this time putting on his furry, Paw Patrol slippers, and tightly wrapping his dressing gown around his body. He was ready. Cautiously stepping past his room, then tiptoeing past his parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, he felt the dull thud of fear beating underneath his chest, rendering him mute. In the distance, the distinctive tick-tock of the household clock, gifted by his grandmother, could be heard. Its menacing, dark hands appeared to slash at the black numbers almost mercilessly, each time louder than the one before. He could not look at it, for fear that it would devour him too. Walking swiftly down the stairs, he looked, left and right, up and down, surveying his now unrecognisable surroundings. His beautiful house which, in the warmth of daylight, looked like a stroke of art, had become a house of darkness. What was it about the darkness that fashioned every ornament, every painting, into the darkest of nightmares? The hat stand, always so tall and regallooking, in an instant became a murderous weapon of death,

shrewdly surveying River and all his doings. The pink woolen coat, his motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite, was transformed into a menacing monster, whose questionable black beads for eyes had never looked so frightening to River. He had never liked the nighttime, for it represented silence, sleep and darkness, all of which he strongly detested, as every child does at that tender age. River tentatively walked towards the living room, feeling the chill of the night slithering down his spine. He was not a cowardly child, nor was he one to shy away from a challenge, or even less, an adventure. But the silence of that great house, the unfamiliarity of it all, terrified him, and he found himself wishing he was back in the enveloping warmth of his bedsheets. Suddenly, he heard a quiet rap. Tap, tap, tap. He stopped in his tracks. Then again, tap, tap, tap. A horrible realisation dawned upon him, in his innocence; he had come down, unarmed, on a dark evening, on the darkest of evenings. Then silence. The tapping had stopped. Hearing its cessation, River rose, silent as can be, his fear lessening as he approached the hallway. A part GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

short story of him suspected that the noise had not come from the inside of the house, but the outside, for the house was as still as it had been all night, and the only noise he could hear was the faint patter of the rain upon the roof. He put one ear to the door, the blood rushing to his face all at once. He could hear the ragged breaths of a creature, quite unknown to him, on the other side. In those very breaths, he heard multiple sounds; the hooting of an owl, the rustle of a rabbit, the oinking of a pig, and the slithering of a snake. All those sounds he heard, and yet, they could not have been further from the truth. “What shall I do?” River whispered to himself, simultaneously filled with a sense of eeriness and wonder. What if this was the beginning of a wonderful adventure, much like the ones he had read so much about, and if the door remained unopened, so did this adventure? A flurry of childish and rather heroic thoughts leapt through his mind, so much so that he did not hear the tapping resume once more. This time, it grew more frantic, as though the creature was becoming increasingly desperate, impatient, and afraid. River heard it, and in his naivete, interpreted the tapping as an obvious cry for help. Believing he knew the fullness of what he was about to do, he made for the door, and in one step, stood next to it. He observed its fine archway, made of thick pillars of white wood, and its tremendous strength. Although River was frightened of what he might find, he extinguished those doubting thoughts in his mind, knowing what he had to do. If he never opened that door, how would he ever know what lay behind it? GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Fumbling through the drawer on his left, River searched for a thin, old-fashioned key. His fingers caught upon a slim piece of metal, and seizing it, he deftly slipped it through the keyhole. He gave it one good push, and in an instant, a loud click ensued. “Now what?” He asked aloud, his voice breathless with excitement. His eyes fell on the door, with childish curiosity. Resting the key on the drawer, he took a deep breath, and slowly pushed open the door… Want to know how this story ends? That’s up to you! We’re asking Gib Mag readers to come up with a concluding paragraph, and email them in to editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com for a chance to be featured. We’re looking forward to seeing your entries!

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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SCREAMS AND SPIKES

Sometimes it’s the dark times that breed inspiration; this is true for Colin, who has produced a series of sculptures in response to the pandemic. BY SOPHIE CLIFTON-TUCKER

olin Thompson, born and raised in the Midlands, has lived in Gibraltar for a few years. His love of art was born at an early age, when he began modelling with plasticine. “Initially, it was just instinctive, but later influenced by Umberto Boccioni, Alberto Giacometti and subsequently by art deco sculptors such as Demetre Chiparus,” Colin reveals. Colin had had great early success, exhibiting "classical" statue sculptures with art deco influences. Most recently, he created a bronze/gold alloy piece titled: ‘Covid: The Scream’. “Perhaps something we should all do to let off steam when this virus has subsided!” Colin jokes. His

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

piece was inspired by the present benighted times and influenced by Edvard Munch's popular painting. Another sculpture in his Covid series is ‘Why Stop at 19? Spikes, That Is’. “Well, it just came to me whilst thinking that this virus pandemic may be the first of many, perish the thought,” Colin laments. Colin tells us he has quite a few sculpture initiatives and projects in the pipeline, and is keen to get on with these. “After a hectic business career turning ailing organisations around, with escapism from this by extreme rock climbing and mountaineering for many years, I have a lot of catching up to do!”

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

art WHAT YOU WILL NEED: PAPER PENCIL ERASER RULER

RT CLUB

COLOURING PENCILS, CRAYONS OR PAINT (OPTIONAL)

How to draw a Christmas tree in 4 easy steps. BY BEA GARCIA

he Christmas tree tradition as we know it today started in the 16th century in Germany and was popularised in the UK during the reign of Queen Victoria. The original Christmas trees had wax candles as decorations, but thankfully nowadays our Christmas tree decoration choices are a little less flammable. My tree is decorated with red baubles, but feel free to decorate yours however you like. Looking forward to seeing how you all decorate your trees!

STEP 1 Draw a rectangle 8cm wide by 8.5cm high. Your tree will fit within this rectangle. Use dashed lines as you will want to erase this grid later. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

art

STEP 2 From the base line of the rectangle you have just drawn, find the midpoint which is at 4cm in. Draw a dashed vertical line to the top of your rectangle from that midpoint. This will split your first rectangle into two equal separate parts. This is the central spine of your tree. Let’s draw in the trunk of our Christmas tree. From the midpoint of the base line of the first rectangle you have drawn draw in a square 1cm x 1cm. Above this trunk we are now going to draw in the triangles that make up our Christmas tree. See the reference image to see the sizes of each triangle that make up your Christmas tree. There are 4 triangles in total.

triangle draw in your last triangle which is 3cm long by 1.5cm. You should now have a series of overlapping triangles.

some presents at the bottom of your tree.

STEP 3

As a final touch why not add a splash of colour? I’ve added in some red baubles but feel free to add whatever Christmas decorations you’d like.

Rub out all the additional lines from the inside of your tree as well as the original rectangle (made up of dashed lines) that you drew. See the image for reference. Your drawing should now look something like this. Now to add some details. Add a five pointed star at the top of your tree and

STEP 4

We would love to see your finished entries! Tag @thegibraltarmagazine and @b_garcia_art on Instagram for a chance to be featured. Have a great festive season.

Above the trunk you have just drawn, draw in a triangle 7cm long by 3cm high. Each triangle should sit in the centre of your trunk following the central spine of your tree. 1.5cm below the peak of the triangle you have just drawn draw in another triangle 5cm long by 2.5cm high. 1cm below the peak of the second triangle you have drawn, draw in your third triangle which should be 4cm long by 2cm. 0.5cm below the peak of the third 60

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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BOOKISH... Join us for our monthly book club!

BY JOEL FRANCIS

elcome back, bookworms. It's December, so I'm going to recommend some great books for you to end the year with. Last month also marked my first anniversary of doing Bookish, in which time I've read 116 books!

I hope you enjoy these recommendations and choose one to read on those cold wintery nights. Happy Holidays!

SUGGESTED READING David Connis Genre: Fiction/Young Adult (YA) For Fans Of: Abbi Waxman What’s in the pages? Clara Evans is a lover of books; she claims that many of them have changed her life, and she measures her memories through the books she's read rather than the friends she's had. Suddenly many of those novels end up on her schools ‘prohibited media’ list, and she decides she needs to fight back, so she starts an underground library of banned books. But when one of her favourite books cause an unforeseen tragedy, she has to ask herself if she is to blame. Why should you read it? This is one of the most important, if not the most important book I have read all year. It is a novel that book lovers will adore and touches upon a topic that is all around us but never really acknowledged, the banning of books. What started as a cute YA novel quickly turned into a story that questioned my moral standings on the issues in the book and whether it is ever warranted to ban a book. This book is not perfect, some parts of it are very cringey, but saying that, it was a pleasure to read and I can't wait to revisit it.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

LOST AT SEA Bryan Lee O'Malley Genre: Fiction/Graphic Novel For Fans Of: Noelle Stevenson What’s in the pages? Raleigh doesn't have a soul. She tells people that a cat stole it, well she would if she told people anything. But Raleigh doesn't like talking to people, so how did she end up in a car on a road trip with classmates she has nothing in common with? Why should you read it? Lost at Sea is short and sweet; it's a story about anxiety, depression, and the pressures that come with being a teenager. While O'Malley is most well-known for his series Scott Pilgrim Vs the World - in my opinion, this is his best Graphic Novel. Its characters and story are charming, relatable and hilarious while also teaching life lessons. It also lets you relive those awkward teenage years through its vivid storytelling and imagery.

A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR Allie Esiri Genre: Poetry/Family Reading For Fans Of: Everyone What’s in the pages? This book is full of 366 poems, one to share on every day of the year. Get ready for a vast collection of styles and genres with the authors in this book ranging from T.S. Eliot, Lewis Carroll and William Shakespeare to Kae Tempest (who happens to be my favourite poet), Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney. Why should you read it? I'd say that this book is ideal for everyone - adults or children, poetry veterans or newcomers, there will be something for you. The idea of reading a poem a day is genius, especially in the way this book approaches it - each poem has a short description of why Esiri has chosen it. This book is perfect for newcomers to poetry because it includes songs such as “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles, so that there will be familiar territory for you to land on throughout the new poetry landscape. I'm suggesting this book as the first read of the new year, to help create a habit of reading poetry - and what better place to start than one poem a day. If you have kids, make it part of your routine (there is also A Poem for Every Night of The Year in case you'd rather do it at bedtime).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

Christmas is the time for giving and spreading joy, so why not show how much you care, by making your own Christmas gifts or decorations this year?

BY AMANDA PEACH

e all spend hours Christmas shopping in the busy streets, looking for that perfect gift, but wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be nice to sit in the comfort of your own home this year and create unique gifts for your loved ones or to lay your Christmas table with handmade decorations? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to share with you some of my favorite DIY gifts and decorations to spread that extra bit of love this Christmas!

SANTA STOCKING These adorable Santa stockings are super easy to make, and you have the choice to sew them, or glue the pieces together.

First you will need to download the free template*, print it out and cut out all of the pieces. Next you'll want to gather your felt, you'll need red, white, beige, and a small amount of black and gold or yellow. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Lay the template pieces over your felt and pin them (pinning the pieces makes it easier to cut the shapes without your template moving) on each template piece you will see how many of each piece you need and in which colour.

Once you have all of your pieces cut out, it's time to put them together! I used a hot glue gun, but you can use fabric glue or sew the pieces together if you like.

Starting with the 2 main stocking pieces, glue around the edges to make the basic shape ( Don't forget to leave the top open!). You can do this inside out if you would like a

neater edge. When you've glued it just pop it the right way round again through the opening at the top. 65

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For the finishing touches add a pompom to the tip of the hat, the belt and buckle, and don't forget to give him some eyes! You can draw on the eyes or stick on some premade ones.

LETTER TILE DECORATIONS These cute little decorations are super easy to make and completely customisable. All you need is a pack of letter tiles, some glue and ribbon and you're good to go! Simply cut a length of ribbon, fold it in half and glue the two sides together, leaving the top section to form a loop. Next, lay out the letters how you want them and glue them to the ribbon. It's that easy! To decorate it a little if you like, you could add bells, a bow or whatever takes your fancy. you now have your own, handmade personalized tree ornament or gift!

5 6 7

Now, position the face and glue it down, and then the beard. Next comes the nose & moustache on top. Place the trim of the hat across the top of the face and glue.

This next part is a little different: Place the straight edge of the hat inside the opening of the stocking (with the point of the hat pointing away from you) and glue it to the inside

of the stocking, make sure you glue it to the front piece so you can still put things inside! Then fold over the tip of the hat and secure in place to the front of the stocking. This will give the stocking a little more character instead of everything being stuck flat on the front. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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Now this is the fiddly bit... cutting out what feels like hundreds of little diamonds. The most precise way to do it would be to use a craft knife however a small pair of scissors did the job perfectly. These holes allow you to get a neat edge when you gather the ends to make your handles.

CRACKERS Everyone loves Christmas crackers in theory; they're a traditional focal point of the dinner table on Christmas Day, but im sure I'm not alone in being rather disappointed by the cringeworthy jokes, paper hats and tiny plastic toys inside, right? Not to mention those little pieces of plastic inevitably find their way to the bin, and adding to the world's plastic problem. So why not make your own?! They so easy and you can decorate them however you like and put anything you want inside! All you will need to make your own crackers is: •

Paper or card (wrapping paper works well)

•

A cracker template*

•

Some string or ribbon

•

Cracker snaps

•

Goodies to put inside your crackers

First you'll need to print out your cracker template and cut it out. (You could also print the template directly onto the

paper you want to use) Next draw around your template onto your chosen paper.

Cut out around the outside of the template, and along the solid lines (don't cut along the dotted lines)

Now turn your paper face down and fold along the dotted lines, you want the little spikes between the diamonds to be facing upwards (towards the middle of the cracker once rolled)

Now roll your cracker! If you are using a fairly thick paper this will be easy, if it's a thin paper try wrapping it around a toilet roll tube to get a nice round shape.

6 7

Slot the tab into the marked slot to secure the tube, you can add a little glue or tape to make sure the tube is secure if you like. Slide in a cracker snap and whatever else you want to fill your cracker with, and roll up the ends and insert the tabs. Tie a ribbon or string around the handles, Add decorations or names to the outside if you like, and voila! You made Christmas crackers! I hope you enjoy these easy Christmas crafts as much as I do, and they're also a great way to get the whole family involved in making this Christmas that extra special. *All templates mentioned can be found at www.DitzyB.com/ downloads

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

leisure

CHAMPAGNE AT ELEVEN

I shouldn’t mention COVID in case I make you depressed or worse. However, writing an article on wine and Christmas this year, without mentioning the dreaded virus smacks of hypocrisy of the worst kind. It’s not only hypocritical, but since it has been proven beyond doubt readers of wine columns are no fools, it would also be grossly insulting. BY ANDREW LICUDI DIPWSET

hen the whole ghastly COVID business is done and dusted, as it surely will be sooner or later, we’ll come out the other end with a deeper appreciation of so many things we have, until recently, taken for granted. Meeting family for a coffee or lunch, hugging them or giving them a peck on the cheek. Going to restaurants with a large group of friends and not a mask in sight. Flying on holiday or to see loved ones without worrying when the person next to you coughs or sneezes. When you think about it, the virus is making us so much more appreciative of what’s really valuable in our lives, exactly what Christmas is supposed to do.

Like so many, my Christmas day will be quite different. For the first time we won’t be with our family in person, but thanks to Facetime and Zoom, we will almost be there. We are already planning to coordinate and drink the same wines over the course of the day and surely that’s going to be a whole lot better than nothing.

Surely that’s going to be a whole lot better than nothing. One of the wonderful things about Christmas Day is how nobody bats an eyelid when

they see you with a glass of Champagne at eleven in the morning! It doesn’t need to be Champagne of course. Whatever sparkling wine takes your fancy. It’s the bubbles, I am told, that give you that warm fuzzy feeling. I for one will be having a breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs to go with mine. The acidity of the wine cutting seamlessly through the fatty salmon. The eggs and buttered toast taking up supporting but crucial roles. If your budget permits, go for vintage Champagne. Look out for 2012 which was a stellar year in Champagne. Cava, the Spanish equivalent, is made in exactly the same way and can be had for a fraction of the price. I prefer pink Cava to the regular white. Prosecco is made in large steel GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

wine & food There’s nothing like a dry sherry before lunch. tanks and tends to be fruitier than either Cava or Champagne. There’s nothing like a dry sherry before lunch. So many wine writers claim sherry to be one of the most underrated, great wines of the world. It’s difficult not to agree when for a few pounds, wonderful wines can be had. I particularly like La Gitana, La Ina or even Tio Pepe. Frankly, it’s difficult to find a poor fino or manzanilla sherry. We always seem to have an open bottle in the fridge. However humble sherry may appear, I always feel it the height of luxury to be handed a glass of well-chilled fino and a few olives. Easily as good as the most expensive Champagne. I have always wondered why mackerel is so underrated in Gib or Spain, yet in UK and northern Europe it remains one of the most valuable catches for their fishing fleets - and for good reason. It’s simply one of the tastiest and most sustainable fish around. It also makes an extremely elegant paté – ideal as a starter for Christmas lunch: If you prefer non-fishy, cheddar and leak tarts will also go well with these white wines. The warmth of the tarts and the cold wine provide wonderful contrasts. If I was ever to be limited to three wine regions of the world for red wine, I would not hesitate for one moment choosing which three I would go with. They would be Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rioja. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Elegant Paté 1. Poach some bone-free mackerel filets in fish stock for 4 minutes. Leave to cool and discard the fish stock. 2. Place the filets in a bowl together with butter, crème fraiche, and pinch of paprika. Mix to your desired consistency. 3. Serve in quenelles with thinly sliced cucumber, toast and a quarter of lemon. 4. Pair it with a good white wine and it’s a starter as good as any you’ll find in any Parisienne bistro! White Burgundy will work wonderfully well. Sauvignon Blanc or white Rioja will work just as well.

I would of course be extremely sorry I would never again taste wonderful Barolos, Chiantis or German Pinot Noirs. The latter surprised me recently with their sheer lip-smacking, juicy Pinot fruit, which in Germany is known as Spâtburgunder. Perhaps it’s global warming, or better wine making techniques, but we are seeing some good red wines come out of Germany. Martin Wassmer from Baden makes a wonderful

Pinot. A bargain at around £12 a bottle. This year, travelling being questionable as I write this, and being only two in our house, we are keeping things simple for our Christmas main course. Perhaps a roast, free-range chicken or pheasant with roast potatoes. Either will be go well with the above German Pinot or an aged Rioja. Personally, I wouldn’t get to 69

wine & food

Easily as good as the most expensive Champagne.

hang up on food and wine pairing. Rarely will a wine be spoilt by food or vice versa. Common sense is truly underrated! Talking of keeping things simple. I always find immediately after Christmas day I start to yearn for simpler foods. Ones that can be prepared in minutes but still give lots of pleasure when served with

Spaghetti with Sardines 1. Place a generous amount of oil in a pan and fry some unpeeled garlic cloves until they start to colour. 2. Empty the oil and garlic into a cup until only a film of oil is left in the pan. 3. Toast some Panko breadcrumbs until they brown. Make more than you need. They will keep nicely in an airtight container. 4. Place some of the oil back in the pan. Fry some sliced shallots. When soft, add some passata and two or three slices of lemon rind. 5. After a few minutes, add a can of sardines including the spring water they come with (the ones in spring water work better than the Spanish ones in oil which can be too strong). 6. Season to taste and mix in the pasta. 7. Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and plenty of parsley. 8. Serve with red or dry white wine. (The red shouldn’t work, according to many. But it does.)

a good wine. My current favourite is spaghetti with sardines. The canned variety: I recently had an online dinner with some non-wine-enthusiast friends. I prepared the food, packaged the whole thing in the usual disposable aluminium containers and decanted several bottles of wine into smaller bottles. We met, like spies, in a car park, where I handed them the packages together with reheating instructions. We used Facetime which worked well. When it came to the cheese, I had paired this with a sweet German Riesling. I thought it went wonderfully with the salty cheeses, but alas I got the impression there was general disappointment when it wasn’t the usual dry red wine I had paired with the cheese. After the initial surprise I think it went well, or perhaps they were simply being polite. If you are going to serve cheese it might be a good talking point to try both a sweet and a red! There can be no Punch without Judy and it would be a sad Christmas day if no port was available. After all what other day in the calendar is it socially acceptable to have several glasses of port at 3pm whilst watching the Queen’s speech? Like sherry, it’s difficult to get a poor port. Vintage Port - ideal but expensive, Late Vintage Port - excellent, Crusted Port - admirable, Tawny Port - wonderful. Happy snoring.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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sports

THE SCOREBOARD Historic promotion to the Nations League for Gibraltar

BY GEORGIOS TONTOS

t is a fact! Our national team achieved a historic qualification to UEFA's Nations League C, after two consecutive draws against San Marino and Liechtenstein. A good start with two victories against their opponents last September and October, but also the two draws in November, gave Gibraltar first place with eight points. An absolutely fair result, considering the stability and the undefeated course throughout for our national team, who have learned how to get positive results, even without a win. The stress and pressure of staying on top were evident in the last two games. In the away game in San Marino last week, Gibraltar lined up defensively. Zero shots on goal were the remarkable stats as Gibraltar had the opportunity to advance with a 0-0 draw with San Marino. It was clear that a victory in central Italy would ensure a comfortable promotion, but this never happened, as it could not create dangerous opportunities, 72

with the hosts threatening significantly and Dayle Coeling saving Gibraltar from a disastrous goal. In the second half, the team was competitive and more aggressive. Tjay De Barr missed the easiest chance of the game, failing to score from very close range in an advantageous position. After this draw, the match against Liechtenstein could be described as a final, with Gibraltar playing for two positive results. The match started in the best way, as Liam Walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corner was turned into the Liechtenstein net by their own player Frommelt. From there, Gibraltar battled to ensure their goal lead stood and were very unlucky to go in at 1-1.

quo, without being significantly threatened by the opponent. The hard work of the whole team led to great success, with Ribas and his players setting up a small party on the pitch after the match. The best is yet to come for our national team, and it is safe to say that these players have shocked Europe with their historic promotion.

In the second half, Julio Ribas' team was careful, trying to maintain the status GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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beauty

CONFESSIONS OF A BEAUTY ADDICT The Christmas Gift List

BY ALEX ORFILA

quieter Christmas calls for gifts centred around self-care; after all, staying in is the new going out this year. December, the month of festive cheer, may be a little more subdued than usual this year but by no means does that mean that it should be less indulgent. Granted we will probably find ourselves reaching for sequins and sparkly makeup less than in previous years, however, more time at home means more time for pampering. Usually my December gift list would be brimming with gorgeous makeup palettes in bold jewel tones, or look-at-me lipstick shades which were made for Christmas party dressing up – but this year the focus will be on comfort and calm. In my vocabulary that does not mean boring - after all we very rarely get time for ourselves in December. This year more than ever it’s important to pause and pat ourselves on the back for everything we have achieved over the past 12 months. 2020 has not 74

been the easiest of years for any of us and taking time to practice self-care has never been more important. In line with this I am sharing gifts which are perfectly suited to this practice. Whether you’re stuck on what to buy friends and family this year or

whether you simply wish to treat yourself, here are some gift ideas, all of which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. So time to snuggle up, put your feet up and self-care first!

NEOM Real Luxury Bath Foam, £22 There has never been a more fitting time to turn to Londonbased wellbeing brand Neom for Christmas gift inspiration. Their mantra is that “wellbeing starts with the little moments” and I couldn’t agree more. Take the time to soak in a relaxing bath with Neom’s Scent to De-Stress range. Tranquillity Intensive Skin Treatment Candle, £36 This gift works twofold: not only does this aromatherapy candle serve to create a sense of calm, it also doubles up as an intensive mask for your skin once melted. I do love a multipurpose product! GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

beauty ORIGINS Mask Delights, £20 When it comes to skincare masks none do it better than Origins. This brand stocks a wide range of masks to target a wide variety of skincare concerns. Ranging from charcoal clay masks to deeply cleanse pores and rebalance oily skin – to intensive hydration masks to rescue tired or dry skin. Not sure which to go for? Fret not, this collection of minis contains all of their bestsellers and is the perfect starting point for the mask curious!

MOUNT LAI Rose Quartz Trio Soothing Facial Set, £44.50 The perfect gift for the skincare aficionado in your life, or just anyone who loves a trendy Instagrammable gadget. These tools are celebrated for aiding lymphatic drainage and promoting blood circulation – thus resulting in plumper skin. They also work fabulously with face oils and serums.

More time at home means more time for pampering. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

beauty on your Olaplex journey. This brand was previously only available in salons but can now be enjoyed from the comfort of your own shower. The active ingredient in Olaplex is said to strengthen and repair broken bonds in hair which are aggravated by heat styling and colouring.

I do love a multipurpose product! priority and this brands range of gorgeous fragrances will help you do just that. They also release a limited edition Christmas range every year with scents which will get you in the festive spirit.

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ELEMIS Frangipani Favourites, £58 No one does indulgent spa body care quite like Elemis. Their gorgeous beauty bundles mean that you can take some of that spa experience home with you. The frangipani range is one of the brand’s bestsellers, and once you smell any of these products it’s easy to see why. The unmistakable floral scent of the frangipani plant will relax and transport you to exotic climes.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

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travel

AROUND THE WORLD IN 7 TRADITIONS How do you celebrate the holidays? Let us take you on a journey of seven strange and controversial Christmas traditions…

BY CHRISTOPHER HEDLEY

NORWAY: LITTLE GNOMES AND (MAYBE) WITCHES In the Land of the Midnight Sun, Father Christmas isn’t the only thing roaming the skies. Witches, amongst other evil spirits, ride above the rooftops on their broomsticks. How do you stop the brujas terrorising your household? Simple, hide your broomsticks of course. And all your other cleaning tools, just to be safe. One source even suggested that men go out and fire a shotgun into the night sky to scare them away. A quick browse of a few forums and it seems not many. Norwegians have heard of this one, with one person reminding us that locals love to invent things to make journalists look stupid... In any case, Santa isn’t always the one to bring the gifts. Nisse, little gnome-like creatures, deliver the goods in Norway and surrounding Scandinavian countries. They also double up as protectors of your farm if you leave some porridge out, even chipping in with the

workload if you’ve been really good. Handy.

NETHERLANDS: ZWARTE PIET Santa’s little helper takes on racist undertones in the Netherlands. This becomes more understandable when you learn that Zwarte Piet in English means Black Pete, and many of the Dutch population darken their skin with makeup and hand out sweets to children. This tradition has come under fire in recent years, with many institutions moving to call him ‘Sooty Pete’ and rebrand him as a chimney sweep, or simply painting the character gold instead of black. Things have even turned violent over the last few years as those who want to illustrate the racist implications of wearing blackface clash with those who want to defend their right to plaster themselves in black painted ignorance.

In case you’re wondering what the defence is for this relatively new tradition, supporters claim that Black Pete, a little black helper, is an essential part of their cultural heritage and cannot simply be wiped out or changed. In fairness, given the Netherlands' history of slave trading and colonisation, they’re not too far off the mark.

Everything goes in: feet, beaks, the lot. So, yes, that’s a real thing that exists today. If it’s good enough for Justin Trudeau, it’s good enough for the Dutch. Interestingly, Pete is black because he was a Moor brought from Spain to the Netherlands on a steamboat. Presumably next door in Andalucía.

JAPAN : KFC In 2012, I was working in a 79

travel language school in Oxford when a young teacher relayed some information given to her by one of her Japanese students. ‘Kenji just told me he’s going to KFC for Christmas, and that it’s a normal thing for people to do in Japan.’ She said. ‘That is utterly ridiculous.’ I scoffed in disbelief, ‘Kenji’s English is rubbish and you must have misinterpreted. There’s no way that’s actually a thing.’ With that I turned away, lamenting the gullibility of my fellow colleague. How lucky she was, to have me, a culturally omniscient man, to point out the things that could and could not possibly exist in the world. Well, as it happens, I’m the idiot, as I found out when I moved to Tokyo in 2015. In the 70s, when KFC first breached Japan’s shores, there weren’t many traditions surrounding Christmas in Japan, as you might imagine. So when the manager of the first restaurant in Japan started promoting ‘Christmas Party Barrels', it just sort of caught on, and has stuck around ever since. Families

flock to the Colonel’s headquarters each December, booking well in advance, to enjoy some ‘festive’ fried chicken.

GREENLAND: KIVIAK If gorging in a poultrybased, American fast food chain on Christmas Day seems strange to you, or, indeed, if it breaks your vegan heart, your feelings may be somewhat exacerbated by what goes on in the arctic island of Greenland. If the word ‘fermented’ comes up when talking about food, alarm bells should be sounding in your head while your body succumbs to rising trepidation. Kiviak is made by stuffing a few hundred penguin doppelgängers, auks, into a seal carcass and leaving them to ferment for around three months. Everything goes in: feet, beaks, the lot. After the three months are up, you can eat the tenderised birdies raw by biting off the head and sucking out the insides. Sounds… quite something. Where’s the nearest KFC?

ICELAND: YULE CAT AND THE LADS Unlike some of the other things on this list, the tradition of the Jólakötturinn is steeped in history. First written into the history book over 200 years ago, though likely spanning back many hundreds of years before that, the yule cat, or the Jólakötturinn bears a familiar tale (pun intended), taking on the role of a seasonal behavioural administrator. The cat, taller than the houses themselves, peers into each sleeping child’s bedroom to check what gifts they’ve received. If a child has completed all of their chores before Christmas, they GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

where people are forced to spend beyond their means. Don’t be that person. If someone close to you is suggesting you must purchase their love, give them a dose of kiviak instead. Or perhaps ask the Jólakötturinn to pay them a visit.

VENEZUELA: ROLLER SKATING

If you ever meet a Venezuelan with missing toes, they probably tied the string too tight. will receive some item of clothing, usually socks. If the Jólakötturinn sees they have their socks, then he passes to the next house. But, boys and girls, if you’ve been naughty, and received no clothes by the time the Yule Cat arrives at your window, you’ll be eaten as its dinner in a heartbeat. Be good or be eaten. As a supplementary sprinkle of unique tradition, the Yule Cat isn’t Santa’s little helper, but is owned by the Yule Lads; thirteen little fellows who emerge from their caves at this time of year to wreak havoc. In the past, they took on a more sinister role in scaring the children into good behaviour, but nowadays they are known for the tamer tricks they like to play on children. Images of the rascals are normally projected on buildings around town, so if you see a slightly scary looking Santa-esque figures about town, don’t be alarmed, the lads have come out to play. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

UNITED KINGDOM: CAPITALIST CHRISTMAS Perhaps one of the strangest customs on this list is the brilliant work going on in the marketing departments of various huge corporations. At this time of year, it’s not uncommon to hear someone say, ‘It’s not Christmas until the Coca Cola ad comes on TV’ or, ‘Have you seen this year’s John Lewis advert? It made me want to laugh/cry/seize the means of production.’ It’s a timely reminder that the birth of baby Jesus is now a mere subplot; a parallel theme in the frenzy to buy superfluous toys and jewellery at inflated prices. These companies prompt you to remember that being together and enjoying the Christmas spirit is now not enough, as you watch a lonely looking grandfather brighten up with the receival of a gift from his granddaughter on the screen. It warms your heart. You must buy this thing for your relatives. In what is largely a time of joy and quality time (and streets) with the family, it’s also a time of year

In the traditional, Hollywood version of modern Christmas, it’s customary to wake up to snowfilled lands, grab a toboggan, and head to the nearest hill to quell your insatiable lust for uncontrollable speed. In Venezuela, unless you live on top of a mountain, this isn’t possible. Roller skating to Christmas mass through the streets is thought to have derived from this lack of snow-based fun, and has become so popular among the locals that the government has taken to closing the streets off to cars at this time of year as a safety precaution, something to give them a break from tackling hyperinflation. Apparently, children go to sleep with a piece of string tied sound their toe, with the other end hanging out the window. Skaters gliding past then tug on the loose bits of string to let the children know it’s time for mass, so if you ever meet a Venezuelan with missing toes, they probably tied the string too tight one year. After mass things take a turn for the familiar, as the Latinos take to the streets to eat, drink, and dance the day away. Now this is one I can get on board with! 81

fashion

JUMPER-ING INTO CHRISTMAS

I think we can safely say that there's a definite sense of apprehension, yet great relief, in the air as we enter the depths of winter and get ready to say goodbye to 2020 at long last. The sartorial tale of the past year is probably best summed up by the now widely used phrase ‘all dressed up with nowhere to go’, with not much of that sentiment changing as we venture into the next few festive weeks. LEFT: CONTRAST KNIT FAUX FUR JACKET, ZARA, £49.99

BY JULIA COELHO

can't imagine that ‘party’ will be the first word that comes to mind when we look back on the year we’ve had, but even with the constraints of social distancing and various limiting regulations that have recently become our reality, I think it's fair to say that we will all find a way of celebrating the truly important things in life, one way or another. I never thought I’d see the day that I’d be encouraging you all to wear trackies on New Year’s Eve. But in all seriousness, there’s no reason why this

MIDDLE: ALPACA BLEND CABLE KNIT CARDIGAN, & OTHER STORIES, £65.00

year’s events, or lack thereof them, means we need to pull out our oldest pj’s and slunk ourselves into bed before midnight. I’m sure that a few socially distanced office and friends lunches will still be very much on the cards, which is enough of an occasion to pull out our season’s finest. We may not be sporting our most extravagant frocks and hitting the dancefloor in sky-high heels, but I am personally welcoming a

RIGHT: CARDIGAN WITH LACE COLLAR DETAIL IN CAMEL, ASOS DESIGN, £28.00

change in mindset, mirrored in my winter aesthetic. This year, the good old modest jumper is here to save the day in its newfound glory. While we all love a slinky dress or lust-worthy pair of shoes, neither of them exactly facilitate a throw-on-and-go, or desk-to-drinks kind of vibe, which is exactly what we all need right now.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

The autumn/winter runways were absolutely teeming with an eclectic range of knits this year; from embellished necklines and shoulders, to bold buttons and statement sleeves. The best part is that they can be dressed up or down, according to your needs. The days of not wanting to ruin our barely-there festive dresses with chunky coats and jackets are long gone. A statement jumper will be your best friend on a cold Monday morning just as much as on a chilly Friday evening. See below just a few examples of why knits in all shapes and sizes are going to be our festive/winter saviour this season.

CARDIGANS While winter is certainly not my season of choice, I must admit that there isn’t much that excites me more than knit jumpers and

cardigans. Woolly cardigans are all the rage this year in almost every single iteration imaginable, and the best part is that they can actually look extremely elegant (are they’re super easy to style too). Tuck one into a pair of high-waisted jeans or faux leather trousers and pair with some chic boots and minimal jewellery, and you’ve got yourself an outfit that can translate perfectly from the desk to festive drinks. And speaking of boots, I’m happy to report that it’s time to ditch the stilettos; an idea I am more than happy to get on board with. Conveniently, chunky boots are very much holding onto the spotlight for the foreseeable future, so you don't need to worry about the age-old ‘what shoes to wear on a winter’s night out?’ conundrum.

TOP LEFT: OVERSIZED CARDIGAN IN FLUFFY KNIT, WEDNESDAY'S GIRL, £22.00 TOP RIGHT: SPARKLING HARLEQUIN PUFF SLEEVE SWEATER, & OTHER STORIES, £75.00 BOTTOM RIGHT: PLUS SHORT SLEEVE JUMPER IN FLUFFY METALLIC KNIT, FASHION UNION, £28.00

A throw-on-and-go, or desk-todrinks vibe is exactly what we all need right now. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

fashion TOP RIGHT: POINTELLE JUMPER WITH RUFFLE COLLAR IN CAMEL, VERO MODA, £36.00 MIDDLE LEFT : KNIT SWEATER WITH BEADING, ZARA, £49.99 MIDDLE RIGHT: WOOL BLEND SCALLOPED SWEATER, & OTHER STORIES, £85.00 BOTTOM LEFT: CROPPED STITCH KNITTED JUMPER, TOPSHOP, £29.99

SPARKLES The pared-back, minimalist aesthetic has been booming for several seasons now, so what better way to shake things up for the upcoming festivities than with some sparkly knits? The trend is particularly timely of course, and if you're anything like me, you tend to avoid festive jumpers like the plague. But a sparkly statement knit will fulfil the same requirements in a much more chic and elegant way, not to mention the fact that they make for a perfect layering piece, whether you opt to wear one under a pinafore style jumpsuit or even with a slip dress.

The trend is particularly timely 84

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

FRINGING & PUFF SLEEVES Now that I truly feel like a knitwear veteran, I’ve moved on from basics (as much as I still love them) and now tend to look for interesting details that really catch my eye, be it a quirky neckline or subtle embellishments like puffed sleeves or fringing. Statement knits have an innately rare ability to bring both warmth and style kudos to pretty much any outfit.

PRINTS & COLOURS Muted palettes have unsurprisingly reigned supreme for the past few years, thanks to the versatile potential of all variations of nude and camel shades. While these are still very much on-trend, bold colours and prints are making their way to the forefront and could be just the thing to pep up your wardrobe this winter.

TOP: JUMPER WITH BALLOON SLEEVES IN LIME, VERO MODA, £34.00 MIDDLE: YELLOW BOXY CROPPED KNITTED JUMPER, TOPSHOP, £25.99 BOTTOM: STRIPE WAVE KNITTED JUMPER, TOPSHOP, £25.99

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Recipe by The Gibraltar Vegan, follow http://www.instagram.com/thegibraltarvegan for updates

CHRISTMAS CINNAMON FLORENTINES New on the market is vegan condensed milk by Carnation opening up a whole new range of goodies you can create. One easy one to start with is Florentines and I made them Christmassy by adding that delicious seasonal spice cinnamon. I used coconut flour to keep these gluten free but any flour is fine. Change the nuts and dried fruit to your preference or if you have any allergies.

• • • • •

200g Carnation vegan condensed milk 2tsp coconut flour 1tsp ground cinnamon 100g almonds 200g mixed dried fruit

•

75g vegan chocolate

METHOD 1. Melt the butter and sugar in a non-stick saucepan.

INGREDIENTS

2. Add the milk and keep stirring until you see bubbles.

• •

3. Add the flour and cinnamon and blend well.

50g vegan butter 50g light brown soft sugar

4. Add the nuts and dried fruit and stir well coating all of the ingredients with the caramel like mixture. 5. Scoop out spoonful amount onto a lightly greased baking sheet. 6. Bake in the oven at 180°C for 10-12 minutes. 7. Remove and let them cool. 8. Once cooled melt the chocolate and dip one side of the Florentine into it, place it on a tray upside down and leave it to harden. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

BRUSSLES SPROUTS Don’t be fooled into thinking Brussel sprouts are the devil’s vegetable. Fry them up with some herbs and garlic and see them in a whole new light. INGREDIENTS: •

300g Brussels sprouts

•

6 garlic cloves

•

Fresh thyme

•

Virgin olive oil

•

Smoked bacon

METHOD: 1. Pour a good splash of oil into a GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

pan and place over a medium heat. 2. Chop and dice your brussels sprouts, and pass them to the hot pan, begin to gently fry your brussels sprouts along with some chopped up bacon. 3. In the meantime, peel and dice 4 garlic cloves into very small pieces and add to the pan, including the remaining 2 whole ones. 4. Pour a splash of oil over everything and add a sprig of thyme. Fry everything until soft and tender, taking care not to burn the garlic.

Recipe featured on MamaLotties.com

Sent in by Ann-Rose Have a go at one of our recipes and send in your photo to editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com for a chance to be featured!

information EMERGENCY SERVICES EMERGENCY CALLS ONLY: ALL EMERGENCIES................................. 112 FIRE...............................................................190 AMBULANCE.............................................190 POLICE.................................................................199

NON-URGENT CALLS: Ambulance Station 200 75728 Business Information Financial Serv. Commission Tel: 200 40283/4 Chamber of Commerce Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry.Tel: 200 78193 Useful Numbers Airport (general info.) . Tel: 200 12345 Hospital, St Bernards. . Tel: 200 79700 Weather information. . Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update Tel: 200 42777

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Rock Publishing Ltd, Gibraltar. Tel: (+350) 200 77748

Gibraltar Museum Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane 10am-6pm (Sat 10am-2pm). Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 - £1. Exhibitions also at Casemates gallery.

Police 200 72500

Gibraltar Garrison Library Tel: 200 77418 2 Library Ramp Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm. Free Library tour offered every Friday at 11am. chris.tavares@gibraltargarrisonlibrary.gi Registry Office Tel: 200 72289 It’s possible to get married within 48 hours. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery & John Lennon. Rock Tours by Taxi Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point etc. John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Mon-Fri.

Gibraltar Services Police Emergency Nos: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598 Gibraltar Public Holidays 2020 New Year’s Day Commonwealth Day Good Friday Easter Monday

Monday 1st Jan Monday 09th Mar Friday 10th Apr Monday 13nd Apr

Workers Memorial Day Tuesday 28th Apr May Day

Friday 1st May

75th anniversary of VE Day Friday 8th May Spring Bank Holiday

Monday 25th May

Queen’s Birthday

Monday 15th June

Late Summer Bank Holiday

Monday 31st Aug

Gibraltar National Day Tuesday 10th Sept Christmas Day Boxing Day

Friday 25th Dec Thursday 28th Dec

SUPPORT GROUPS ADHD Gibraltar adhdgibraltar@gmail.com facebook.com/ADHDGibraltar/ Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues & Thurs at Nazareth House Tel: 200 73774. A Step Forward support for single, separated, divorced/widowed people, meet 8pm Mon at St Andrew’s Church. Mummy & Me Breastfeeding Support Group those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breastfed to get together for coffee / support. Partners and older children welcome. Meets 1st Wed / 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 5pm - 9pm Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Thur 9:30am-4:00pm, Fri 9:30am- 3:30pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@cab.gi or visit at 10 Governor’s Lane. Free & confidential, impartial & independent advice and info. COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book

Shop at 7.30pm first Thur of each month. 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. Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meet weekly on Thurs at 9pm at Family and Community Centre, Mid Harbours Estate, Bishop Caruana Road. 54007676 or 54014484. Gamblers Anonymous Telephone: 54001520 Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tues of every month at 8.30pm at John Mac Hall, except for Jul & Aug. Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 72 Prince Edwards Rd Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: dyslexia.gi Gibraltar Hearing Issues & Tinnitus Association Voicemail: (+350) 200 66755, Text Message (SMS): (+350) 54066055, Correspondence Charity P.O. Box 90220, Gibraltar. Email: info@ ghita.gi, Facebook: Gibraltar Hearing Issues & Tinnitus Association (GHITA & BSL Club), Our support group meets the first Monday of every month at Suite 3, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre as from 5pm.

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. Mummy & Me Breastfeeding Support: Meets every Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Parental Support Group helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and grandchildren. Tel: 200 46536, 200 76618, or 54019602. Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Meet Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: Yolanda 54015553 With Dignity Gibraltar support for separated, divorced/widowed or single people. Meet Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Women in Need Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hrs).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

clubs & activities Arts & Crafts Cross Stitch Club: John Mackintosh Hall, 1st Floor, Mon 6-8pm, fee £1. Gibraltar Arts & Crafts Association: Children: Mon&Fri 12.30-2pm, Mon-Fri 3.45-5.15pm Adults: Wed 5.45-7.15, Sat 10.30 to 12.30, Tel: 20073865 email: gibartsandcrafts@hotmail.com Knit and Natter Group: Tues 11am-3pm, Thurs 5.30-7.30pm, at Arts & Crafts Shop, Casemates balcony. Free to join and refreshments provided. Tel: 20073865. The Arts Centre: Prince Edward’s Road, Art classes for children and adults. For more info call Tel: 200 79788. The Fine Arts Association Gallery: At Casemates. Open 10am-2pm, 3-6pm Mon-Fri, Sat 11am-1pm. The Arts Society Gibraltar: Monthly illustrated talks open to the public. Registration from 6:30pm every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Guest fee £12. We meet at The Garrison Library. Contact gibraltar@theartssociety.org or Claus Olesen on 54036666. Website with all informaiton is gibraltar.theartssociety.org Board Games Calpe Chess Club & Junior Club: meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall Thursday, Juniors: 5p.m. - 7 p.m. / Tuesday & Thursday 7p.m. - 10:30 The Gibraltar Scrabble Club: Meets on Tuesdays at 3pm. Tel: Vin 20073660 or Roy 20075995. All welcome. The Subbuteo Club: Meets in Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall. Dance Adult Dance Classes: Wed evenings at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Contact Dilip on 200 78714. Art in Movement Centre: Hip-hop/Break Dance, Contemporary Dance, Pilates, Capoeira, Acrobatics, Street Kids & Tods, Modern Dance. Performance and Film opportunities. Judo & Jujitsu Classes: Tue/ Thur with Sensei Conroy. All ages. Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. www. artinmovement.net FB: Art In Movement A.I.M, tel 54025041 or 54007457 Ballet, Modern Theatre, Contemporary & Hip-hop: weekly at Danza Academy. Training from 3 years to Adult Advanced. 68/2 Prince Edward’s Rd Tel: 54027111. Bellydance Classes, all levels, Tue 8-9pm at the Ocean Village Gym (non–members welcome). Contact 54005593. DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing: Sessions at Central Hall Fri 8.30pm, beginners 8pm. Tel: 200 78901 or tony@ gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome. Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing: Mon at Catholic Community Centre 8pm. Tel. Andrew 200 78901. Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Flexibility, Hip Hop & Dance Theatre: Classes weekly at Urban Dance Studio, 2 Jumpers Bastion. Tel: Yalta 54012212 or Jolene 54015125. Rockkickers Linedance Club: Governor’s Meadow 1st School. www.rockkickers.com Salsa Gibraltar Salsa: Tues at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm. Intermediates 8.30-10pm. Tel: Mike 54472000 or info@salsagibraltar.com Zumba Classes at Urban Dance: Jumpers Bastion, with certified instructor Tyron Walker. Tel: 20063959 or 54012212 or Twitter: @UrbanDanceGib History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust: Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844. The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association: Dedicated to the preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643. Garrison Library Tours: at 11am on Fri, duration 1h 50mins. Tel: 20077418. History Alive: Historical re-enactment parade. Main Street up to Casemates Square every Sat at 12 noon. Music Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir: Rehearses at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Tel: 54831000. The Calpe Band: Mon & Wed. For musicians of brass/woodwind instruments of all standards/ages/abilities 7-9pm. Tel: 54017070 or thecalpeband@gmail.com

Jazz Nights: Thurs at 9pm at O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel. Tel: 200 70500. Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Gibraltar: Exciting self-development programme for young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. Contact: Award House, North Mole Road, PO Box: 1260. mjpizza@ gibtelecom.net, www.thedukes.gi. Social Clubs The Rotary Club of Gibraltar meets the Rock Hotel, 7pm Tuesday evenings. Guests welcome. For contact or info www.rotaryclubgibraltar.com Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes: (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, 72/9 Prince Edward’s Road - Provincial Grand Lodge, Thu/month, 7.30pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8.30pm. Buena Vista 9975, monthly, Social Lodge. www.akearn1.wix. com/raob-gibraltar, william.tilley.lodge@ hotmail.co.uk, Clive, tel: 58008074 Special Interest Clubs & Societies Creative Writers Group: meets up on Tuesday mornings at 10.30 in O’Reilley’s Irish Bar and it is free to attend. Tel: Carla 54006696. Gibraltar Book Club: For info Tel: Parissa 54022808. Gibraltar Horticultural Society: meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, J.M. Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome. Gibraltar Photographic Society: Meets on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Wellington Front. Induction courses, talks, discussions, competitions etc. For details contact the secretary on, leslinares@gibtelecom.net Harley Davidson Owners’ Club: www.hdcgib.com Lions Club of Gibraltar: Meets 2nd and 4th Wed of the month at 50 Line Wall Road. www.lionsclubofgibraltar.com St John’s Ambulance: Adult Volunteers Training Sessions from 8-10pm on Tues. Tel: 200 77390 or training@stjohn.gi The Royal British Legion: For info or membership contact the Branch Secretary 20074604 or write to PO Box 332. UN Association of Gibraltar: PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108. Sports Supporters Clubs Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club: Meets at Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check game is televised. Great food for a lunch if KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club: Meets match days upstairs at Time Out Café, Eurotowers. Gooners of all ages welcome. For info/news visit www.GibGooners.com Tel: 54010681 (Bill) or 54164000 (John). Gibraltar Hammers: Meets 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 gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Leeds United Gibraltar Supporters Club. Meet at The Trafalgar Sports Bar 1 Rosia Road when live matches are on. All Leeds United supporters and their families are welcome. Join Leeds United Gibraltar Supporters club at: facebook.com/luscgib Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association. Tel: Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661. Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions through 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 BWF& BE) junior club/tournaments, senior leagues/ recreational. www.badmintongibraltar.com Ballet Barre Fitness: Adults on Wed 10am & Fri 6pm at The Arts Centre. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727. Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory. Tel: 56382000 or 20042788. Cheerleading: Gibraltar Cheerleading Association, girls and boys of all ages. Cheerleading and street cheer/hip-hop at Victoria Stadium. Recreational / competitive levels. Tel: 58008338. Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Arturo 54025033. Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket, National Governing Body & Associate Member of ICC. Governs International & Domestic Men’s, Women’s, Boys’ & Girls’ cricket- league & cup competitions and in-school coaching. www.gibraltarcricket.com, info@gibcricket. com, Twitter: @Gibraltar_Crick Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (full member of WDF & affiliate of BDO). We cater for men, ladies & youth who take part in leagues, competitions and a youth academy for the correct development of the sport. Tel: Darren 54027171 Secretary, Alex 54021672 Youth Rep, Justin 54022622 President. Email: info@ gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages OctoberMay. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 20042941 www.gibraltarfa.com Gaelic Football Club (Irish sport): Males any age welcome. Get fit, play sport, meet new friends, travel around Spain/Europe and play an exciting and competitive sport. Training every Wed on the MOD pitch on Devil’s Tower Road at 7pm. Andalucia League with Seville and Marbella to play matches home and away monthly. Visit www.gibraltargaels. com or secretary.gibraltar.europe@gaa.ie Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults/juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730 for info. Iaido: teaches the Japanese sword (Katana), classes every week. www.iaidogibraltar.com Ice Skating: Gibraltar Rock Stars Figure Skating Club lessons every Tuesday evening & Saturday morning, all levels including adults. Contact grsfsc@gmail.com or 58700000 Iwa Dojo, Kendo & Jujitsu: Classes every week, for kids/adults. Tel: 54529000 www. iwadojo.com or dbocarisa@iwadojo.com Judo and Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Budokai Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. Tel: Charlie 20043319. Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during the evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion. Tel: 54011007. Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association - Karate training for junior & seniors at Clubhouse, Shotokai karate centre, 41H Town Range. Monday: 9:30 p.m. & Wednesday 9:45 p.m. Karate: Shotokan karate midday Mon beginners, other students 8.30pm. Thurs 8.30pm. In town at temporary dojo or privately by arrangement. Contact Frankie 54038127 or info@fhmedia.co.uk. Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211. Muay Thai and Muay Boran Club: Tues & Thur at Boyd’s Kings Bastion Leisure Centre at 6:30pm, Tel: John – 54024707 FB: Gibraltar Muay Thai Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior/junior leagues. Tel: 20041874. Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association. New members welcome. Tel: 54002652. Pilates: Intermediate Pilates: Tues & Fri 9.30am, beginners Pilates: Fri 10.50am at the Shotokai Centre, 41H Town Range. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com Gibraltar Pool Association: (Member of the EBA) home and away league played on Thurs throughout the season, various tournaments played on a yearly basis both nationally and internationally, Tel: 56925000 gibpool@ gibtelecom.net, www.gib8ball.com

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions from 4 years of age, weekday evenings. Tel: 56000772 or Sally 200 74661. Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby caters for all ages from 4 years old to veterans (over 35’s). It organises competitions and sessions for Juniors; 4 x Senior Clubs; Veterans team; Touch Rugby and a Referees Society. Email admin@gibraltarrfu. com or visit www.gibraltarrfu.com Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/ senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club at 200 78897. Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation. Rifle, Europa Point Range (Stephanie 54020760); Clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Louis 54095000). Snooker: Members of European Billiards & Snooker Association - facilities at Jumpers Bastion with 3 tables. Professional coaching for juniors/seniors. Organised leagues/ tournaments and participation in international competitions. Tel: 56262000 / 54000068, or info@gibraltarsnooker.com Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult and junior tournaments and coaching. Tel: 200 44922. Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Noah’s Dive Club and 888s Dive Club. Tel: 54991000. Commercial sports diving schools available. Time - Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.. Telephone, Jenssen Ellul - 54027122 Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo. Pool open Mon&Thurs: 7-10am, 12.30-4pm. Tue, Wed, Fri: 7-10am, 12:30-5pm. Sat: 3-5pm. Sun: closed. Mon to Fri from 5-6pm groups training. 6-7.30 squad training. Mon, Wed, Fri 7.30-8.30 swimming joggers, Tues & Thurs 7:30-8:30 junior Water polo. Mon, Tues & Thurs 8:30-10pm Adult water polo. Tel: 200 72869. Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association training and playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Tel: 56070000 or 20060720. Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: Mari 20044142 or www. gibraltartaekwondo.org Tai Chi: Tai Chi for children and adults. MonThur 6.30-8pm at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre and Sat 9am-1pm at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range. Tel: Dilip 200 78714. Tennis and Paddle Tennis: Sandpits Club. Junior and adult training available. info : www. sandpits.club. Tel (Louis) 20077035 Ten-Pin Bowling: At King’s Bowl in the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre every day. Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Tel: 200 52442. Triathlon: Hercules Triathlon Club organises swimming, running and cycling training sessions and competes regularly in Andalucia and Internationally. Contact chris.walker@york.gi or Facebook “Hercules Triathlon Club” Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association training, indoor leagues, beach volleyball competition, 3 v 3 competition, juniors and seniors. Tel: 54001973 or 54885000. 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: Meet at Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street. Tel: 20042237. Trafalgar Theatre Group: Meets 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

R U N W A Y

Victoria Stadium

REFERENDUM HOUSE ←→ SOUTH BARRACKS

Market Place loop (Eastbound)

http://www.gibraltarbuscompany.gi

Routes operated by

BOTH WORLDS ←→ ROSIA

Rosia loop (Northbound)

MARKET PLACE ←→ EUROPA POINT

Midtown loop (Southbound) Midtown loop (Northbound)

Ocean Village

Glacis Kiosk

WILLIS’s ROAD

MOUNT ALVERNIA ←→ ORANGE BASTION

AIRPORT/FRONTIER ←→ TRAFALGAR

EUROTOWERS ←→ ROSIA

http://citibus.gi

Bishop Canilla House

PLACES OF INTEREST

Coach Park

Cable Car

Airport

Lighthouse

Cathedral

Museum

Taxis

Seaport

Castle

Beach

Stadium

Trafalgar Cemetery

QUEENSWAY

King’s Wharf

Queensway Quay

Referendum Gates

MAIN STREET

Commonwealth Park

Mid-Harbour Estate

Europort Building 8

A AN RU CA D OP A SH RO

Edinburgh House

PRINCE EDWARDS ROAD

Eliott’s Way

48 BOTH WORLDS

ROSIA ROAD

Alameda Governor’s House Meadow House Victoria House

H KS RO AD

BA RR AC

Mount Pleasant

New Harbours

Cumberland Jumpers Road Building

South Gates

New Mole House

Garrison Gym

ce ur So

Gibraltar Bus Network

rg p.o ma et tre ns pe O :

Rosia Plaza

North Gorge

Eliott’s Battery

March 2019 version : correct at time of going to print

Map of Gibraltar

University of Gibraltar

EUROPA POINT

Schematic Diagram of Bus Network (not to scale)

Buena Vista

Mosque

BUS NETWORK

GIBRALTAR

9 ROSIA ROSIA 4

Brympton

EUROPA ROAD

SOUTH BARRACKS

SOUTH PAVILION ROAD

St. Joseph’s School

MOUNT ALVERNIA

Schomberg

SO UT

Shorthorn Farm

R e s e r v e

Rock Old Hotel Casino

RED SANDS ROAD

Lower Flat Bastion Rd Wilson’s Gardiner’s Ramp Road

Morello’s Ramp

TRAFALGAR Convent Place

Blackstrap Cove

N a t u r e

FLAT BASTION ROAD

Sacred Heart Church

Flat Bastion Rd

R o c k

Caleta Hotel

RECLAMATION Cathedral ROAD Square

King’s Bastion

Arengo’s Palace

PORT St. Bernard’s EURO Hospital GASA Swimming Pool

ROAD

Varyl Begg Estate

MONTAGU GARDENS

British War Memorial

LINE WALL ROAD

BOTH WORLDS ←→ RECLAMATION ROAD

Artillery Arms

WILLIS’s ROAD

MAIN STREET MAIN STREET

Moorish Castle Estate

AIRPORT/FRONTIER ←→ RECLAMATION ROAD

Albert Risso House

Sir William Jackson Grove

Waterport Road

QUEENSWAY

Orange Bastion

Fishmarket Steps

William’s Way

U p p e r

SIR HERBERT MILES ROAD

1 2 MARKET PLACE

CASEMATES

Routes operated by

Notre Dame School

Faulknor House

Constitution House

REFERENDUM HOUSE

WINSTON CHURCHILL AVENUE

Park & Ride

MARKET PLACE ←→ WILLIS’S ROAD

R U N W A Y

BUS ROUTES

5 10

AIRPORT/ FRONTIER

DEVIL’S TOWER RO AD

St. Theresa’s Church

GLACIS ROAD

Eastern Beach

CORRAL ROAD

WATERPORT ROAD

C A R C A B L E

Catalan Bay

restaurants, bars & pubs THE LOUNGE

SOLO BAR & GRILL

ALL’S WELL

Stylish Lounge Gastro Bar on Queensway Quay Marina serving best quality food prepared by passionate, qualified chefs. Popular quiz on Sundays from 7pm and a relaxed friendly atmosphere. A separate Lounge Bar Area serving a wide range of hot drinks, wines, beers, spirits and cocktails at reasonable prices, with large TV’s for sports and events coverage.

Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery — perfect for business functions or lunches — and part of the popular Cafe Solo stable. Serving everything from Goats’ Cheese Salad, Mediterranean Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Beer Battered John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, and Chargrilled Sirloin Steak. This is a delightful venue in Europort with a cosy mezzanine level and terrace seating. Well worth a visit, or two! Available for private functions and corporate events — call 200 62828 to book your function or event.

In the fashionable Casemates square stands Gibraltar’s last historical themed pub, named for the 18th-century practice of locking gates to the city at night when the guard called ‘All’s Well’. Their food menu caters to all cravings; whether it’s fish and chips, a homemade pie, or maybe even a delicious sharing platter, they have it all. All’s Well have an amazing range of bottled beers as well as being the only pub in Gibraltar to offer craft beer on tap. Happy hour is daily from 7-9pm. Large terrace. Karaoke Mondays & Wednesdays until late.

Open: 10am-late Mon - Sun Be sure to arrive early to ensure a seat! The Lounge, 17 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 info@thelounge.gi

Open: 12-8pm. Solo Bar & Grill, Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828

01 Dec '20 to 07 Dec '20

DUTY PHARMACY OPENING HOURS

08 Dec '20 to 14 Dec '20

Monday to Friday (7pm to 9pm) Weekends & public holidays (11am to 1pm & 6pm to 8pm)

15 Dec ‘20 – 21 Dec ‘20

For updates, check facebook.com/PharmaGuide

22 Dec ‘20 –28 Dec ‘20

29 Dec ‘20 – 04 Jan ‘21

All’s Well, Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987

Valmar Pharmacy Europort

1.0.08 Eurotowers Tel: 200 63868

Bell Pharmacy

27 Bell Lane 200 77289

New Chemist

19 Main Street 200 45039

Omega Pharmacy

13 Cooperage Lane 200 44544

Calpe Pharmacy ICC

Unit G9, ICC 200 77977

CHESS PUZZLE ANSWER: The World Champion crushed Black with Nf6+.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

Show Us Your Mag!

WINNERS!

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to all who entered! Keep your photos coming in for a chance to win our next round. Email editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com or tag us on social media. #ShowUsYourMag

ÂŠ JUSTIN BAUTISTA

thegibraltarmagazine

Liked by you and 365,999 others thegibraltarmagazine in

ÂŠ Justin Bautista. Have you taken a picture

or of Gibraltar? Snap and send to editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com! thegibraltarmagazine #gibgems #gibraltar #thegibraltarmagazine #gibraltarmagazine #publication #visitgibraltar #therockofgibraltar #mediterraneanlife

Kid's Korner

Spot the 5 differences!

Can you draw santa? USE THE GRID TO HELP YOU!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

coffee time CROSSWORD 1

6 19

1. Inclined to talk indiscreetly (6) 2. Penetrative photographs invented by Röntgen (1-4) 3. Retribution; prime enemy (7) 5. To snitch (3, 2)

6. Accept as true (7) 7. Grow; vegetable served with 13. (6)

10. Person working on a floor or a roof (5)

1. Form of pugilism exercised on 26 December? (6)

9. Lack of red blood corpuscles (7)

2 1

DOWN

4. Antarctic volcano; region of the underworld in Greek mythology (6)

8 9

ACROSS

8. Like the highest point on a Christmas tree (5,6)

11. Foundation; groundwork (5)

14. Small opening (7)

12. Form of poem with 15 lines; French spelling of a music form (7)

15. Person living from investment income, originally French (7)

13. Traditional Christmas lunch (5,6)

16. Shrewd (6)

18. Rider's foot support; drink taken on horseback; bone in the ear (7)

17. Period before Christmas (6) 19. Regal (5) 21. You might to _____ your 13! (5)

20. Rudolf the red- ...... reindeer (5) 22. A single whole (5) 23. Person refined in taste of food, wine etc. (7) 24. Smoothly; equally (6)

& YOU COULD WIN

25. Earning from a business (6)

SUDOKU

lunch for two at

Either SNAP and SEND your completed crossword to editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com or RETURN TO THE CLIPPER by 17th December. 1

H A

A C 9

R O W N

W A

A G

T O R

O N

T O

S W I

U E

E E

P 11

N A 13

November 2020 Answers

N A H

D A

N M A

A N N O N B

L O W B

A M A

R U

E Y

O G 23

A L

U E 20

I 6

R C S B

P I R

N O

Y W A

O N

G R

E N

L 25

Ferdinand Monteverde

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

4 3

A D

9 3

N A N 24

3 6

L R

THE WINNER IS:

5 2

S T

8 5

9 8

9 7

4 5 95

ONE CARELESS MOVE BY GRANDMASTER RAY KEENE OBE

The great international chess tournament at Moscow 1925 was to be hosted in the splendid, red plush Hotel Metropol, opposite the Bolshoi Theatre, across the boulevard from the Kremlin and what had now been rechristened Red Square. With just a few rounds remaining in the tournament, everybody expected Lasker to seize the lead, and playing young Torre in one of the crucial games still left to play, he had much the better of a difficult game. The former World Champion had deliberately complicated affairs, in true Lasker fashion. Then, just as the game was reaching its crisis, a messenger delivered a telegram onto Lasker’s table and he made one careless move” (his twenty second in the game which follows.) Here is that fateful encounter. Torre, with the white pieces, selected an opening which he often employed and which is now named after him and which often leads to uncompromising attacks. White: Carlos Torre Repetto Black: Emanuel Lasker Moscow International Chess Tournament, Russia 1925 Opening: Torre Attack 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 White’s next Bishop sortie is the defining move of what is now known as the Torre Attack. It later became a favourite of the

coffee time

3. Bg5 c5 4. e3 cxd4

More combative is 4 ... Qb6 but Lasker tended to avoid challenging his opponents in the opening, reserving his energies for battles to come in the middlegame and endgame.

chooses the wrong way to exploit the situation of White’s remaining bishop, which is pinned against Torre’s Queen. The correct and advantageous defence for Lasker would have been 22... f6! 23. Nc4 Qd5 24. Ne3 Qb5

9. Nc4 Bb7 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfe1 Rfe8

Now Torre should simply retreat his valuable bishop to the square b1. Torre’s chosen method of attack looks dangerous for Black, as indeed it is. White builds up menacing forces in the vicinity of Black’s king. However, Lasker was an adept at refuting sub-optimal aggression and at first Lasker, in spite of the obvious perils, keeps everything under control. 18. Qh5 Bxg5 19. Bxg5 Nxd3 20. Rxd3 Qa5 21. b4 Qf5 22. Rg3 h6

Here Lasker goes wrong. Up to this point the former world champion has defended superlatively, but at this moment of high tension, he GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020

37. Rf3+ Kg6 38. a3 a5 39. bxa5 Rxa5

8. Bd3 b6

17. cxb4 Nxb4

36. Rg3+ Kf6

43. g3

7. c3 Nbd7

16. Na3 b4

35. Rh3 Reb8

42. Rxe6+ Kg5

6. Nbd2 d6

15. Ng5 b5

34. Rxh6+ Kg5

41. Rf4 Nd7

5. exd4 Be7

14. Bc1 Nd5

33. Rh3 Kxf6

40. Nc4 Rd5

13. Rad1 Nf8

32. Rxh5 Kg6

Torre’s next move is a sensational queen sacrifice which was to be numbered amongst the immortal sacrificial combinations in the archives of chess. It must have come as a terrible shock to Lasker.

Black’s material deficit is disastrous and Torre has fully consolidated his structure, avoiding all back rank mating traps, so Lasker resigned, and the young Mexican Chess Grandmaster, Carlos Torre Repetto, entered the Pantheon of the Immortals of the history of chess.

Puzzle

25. Bf6!! Qxh5 26. Rxg7+ Kh8 27. Rxf7+ Kg8 28. Rg7+ Kh8 29. Rxb7+ Kg8 30. Rg7+ Kh8 31. Rg5+ Kh7

Torre’s recurring checks with his rook have earned a special place in the nomenclature of chess. The repeated striking of the sails of the deadly “Windmill” are just as injurious to the great former champion’s prospects as were those which annihilated the onslaught of Cervantes’ Don Quixote, when the eponymous anti-hero mistook the zephyr powered engine for the hundred armed giant Briareus.

White to play.

This position is from Magnus Carlsen's most recent tournament victory at Stavanger, Norway. White's next move (his 24th move) broke through Black's defences. Can you see what it was? 97

Answer on page 91

celebrated world champion Boris Spassky.

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little dictionary

absquatulate verb to leave abruptly

e.g. He absquatulated from the Christmas party after sampling one too many snifters of port. 29 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar +350 200 72470 / info@littleenglish.eu

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