The Gibraltar Magazine - June 2017

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MARCH 2017

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MARCH 2017

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editor’s letter

JUNE ISSUE S

ummer officially starts in June! Yay! As many places in the world celebrate the summer solstice, known as San Juan across the border, the night of the 23rd of June is the shortest of the year, marking the changing of the seasons. According to pagan traditions, the gods make themselves visible to us that night so that we, mere humans, can show them thanks for their divine care. This month, our new contributor Peter Schirmer launches a column about gods and their endeavours on the Rock - they have just moved here and follow our lives closely, so be sure to check out their perspective on our earthly habits (p. 94).

As we are getting ready to lounge on the beach, Ian argues that, perhaps this year more than ever, it is vital to disregard summer hours and focus on strengthening business opportunities (p. 21). Eran and Ayelet offer their ideas on how to check sales metrics in retail (p.24), while Sylvia stresses the importance of a healthy business culture and advises on how to fix one that has not been working (p. 26).

In Life, we visit wild macaques in Morocco with Jess from the Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park. She has travelled deep into the African mainland to search out the cousins of our very own monkeys and is reporting back on her sightings (p. 31).

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Also, to mark World Meat Free Day on June 12th, two days before this date, Jess will be manning Conscience Eating stall at this year’s Calentita Festival. With the current state our environment is in, we simply cannot continue indulging in our destructive habits. In her informative article, Eyleen proposes simple changes you can make to lower your carbon footprint (p. 34).

Gibraltar Samaritans is a new branch of the international charity, and they are currently looking for local volunteers, so if you would like to help, they would love to hear from you (p. 40). Kusuma Trust and Fire Tech Camp organised workshops for young students last month to learn about coding and programming. The youngsters were all very excited (I would be too!) to get their hands on some fantastic technical kits that enabled them to create what would only seem like magic to a layman (p. 50).

We also went out to the streets to ask the general public about their favourite fictional characters. I don’t think any vampires made the list, but it’s well worth checking (p. 18) and planning which book you will be taking with you to the beach. Or will you be too busy looking after your kids to indulge in any reading? Polly, Mum on the Rock, discusses the pros and cons of taking your children on holiday with you (p. 96).

My personal favourite news of the month was finding out about the TableTop society.

This group is encouraging you to buddy up with friends or strangers to play some old and new board games! Sophie speaks to the organisers and outlines the lowdown of the games (p. 69). Beware, I’m bringing Catan to the beach!

Anna

Speaking of magic, last month saw two Gibraltarians break into the ‘USA Today’ bestsellers list, with one of their novels about a ‘hard, angry, flawed and yet, kind and compassionate vampire’ - as described by one of their fans (p. 53). Stephanie and Lee Dignam have so far fulfilled their promise to write one book per month in 2017 (!) and we are celebrating their achievements on the American reading scene by putting them on our cover.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

Building Corporate Partnerships Our Corporate Banking team of eight is completely committed not only to the development of your plans but also to becoming involved in them.

Their diverse range of both experience and perspective creates a personalised service catering for all your banking needs.

We pride ourselves on going the extra mile for you – working alongside you at every stage in the construction of your corporate future.

Welcome to a bank out of the ordinary.

JYSKE BANK (GIBRALTAR) LTD. • 76, Main Street • P.O. Box 143 • Gibraltar Tel. +350 606 33322 • Fax +350 200 76782 • info@jyskebank.gi • www.jyskebank.gi Jyske Bank (Gibraltar) Ltd. is licensed by the Financial Services Commission, Licence No. FSC 001 00B.

2Services and products are not available to everybody, for instance not to residents of the US.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MARCH 2017

When it comes to legal advice Hassans stands out from the crowd With a global reach, Hassans provides legal solutions, both locally and cross-border, to individuals and major multinationals. We deliver a service consistent with old world values of customer care whilst combining professionalism with pragmatism. Our clients get what they need, when they need it.

Personal or business solutions. Efficiently delivered.

57/63 Line Wall Road, PO Box 199, Gibraltar.

T: +350 200 79000 F: +350 200 71966 business@hassans.gi www.gibraltarlaw.com

“Hassans is widely considered to be the market’s leading firm, both in terms of size and depth of experience…”

Legal 500 EMEA, 2014 Edition.

contents 8 NEWS 16 Around town 18 Hello there: fictional character

BUSINESS 21 24 26 28

Season of Busy - Can we afford to let our guard down?

Sales Metrics - Successful retail is in the detail Business Plan Review - Can you fix a broken culture?

Frontier Worker - Pros & cons of each side of the border

LIFE 31 34 38 40 43 46 50

Wild Macaques - Visiting a Moroccan research centre Conscience Eating Stall - World Meat Free Day Unseen Dangers - Habitat restoration vs habitat creation Calling GibSams - Samaritans in Gibraltar Steely Resolve – of Alison MacMillan Cultural Research - Professor Dr Andrew Canessa Robots Are Here - How to fly a UFO...

SCENE

22#08 June 2017: Stephanie Katherine and Lee Dignam Contributing writers: Ian Le Breton, Eran Shay, Ayelet Mamo Shay, Sylvia Kenna, Jorge v.Rein Parlade, Jessica Leaper, Eyleen Sheil, Lewis Stagnetto, Richard Cartwright, Peter Schirmer, Mike Brufal, Angela Almeida, Elena Scialtiel, Julia Coelho, Sophie Clifton-Tucker, Chris Hedley, Andrew Licudi, Polly Lavarello.

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by Rock Publishing Ltd Portland House, Suite 4, Glacis Road, Gibraltar, PO Box 1114 T: (+350) 20077748 | E: info@thegibraltarmagazine.com Copyright © 2017 Rock Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written consent of The Gibraltar Magazine.

www.TheGibraltarMagazine.com

@gibmag

Magazine & website archived by the British Library

! ADVERTISE

The quality of a magazine reflects on the businesses that advertise within it. The Gibraltar Magazine is Gibraltar’s premier magazine packed with first class content. We don’t have pushy sales people, so get in touch if you have a business or strategy to promote. We will explain your options and help you with artwork if you need us to. We are passionate about what we do and about our home, Gibraltar.

! GET INVOLVED

If you are an artist with an exhibition, a club or charity with an event coming up, we’d love to hear from you. This is a community magazine with no VIP area. Everyone is welcome to contribute so drop us a line.

! GET IN TOUCH

We’d love to hear from you. Sometimes we get a bit lonely in our office, and we like to get letters, phone calls and emails with your feedback and photos. We might even publish the best so keep them coming. This is your magazine so get involved.

Email: anna@thegibraltarmagazine.com Tel: 200 77748 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

53 56 60 62

It’s A Kinda Magick! - Urban fantasy best sellers Graphic Contents - The Average by Stephanie Seed Hammond in Symphony - Albert’s new album Singled In – Together - Calling all the single ladies!

LEISURE 65 69 73 80

Festival Fashion - Show off your personality without fear!

Bored? Games! - Return of the TableTop Riveting Romania - Visiting Draculand English Wine - Could it one day challenge Champagne?

82 84 93 94 96 98

Recipes: Beetroot Falafel & Tahini Fudge Guides and Information Spring Festival 2017 Schedule View from New Olympus - The Pillar of Hercules Mum on the Rock - Holidays with kids Coffee Time and Schedules

Editor: Anna Kolesnik anna@thegibraltarmagazine.com Sales & Marketing: Helen Reilly helen@thegibraltarmagazine.com Distribution: Jordan Brett jordan@thegibraltarmagazine.com Accounts: Paul Cox paul@thegibraltarmagazine.com 7

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LOCAL ARTIST EXHIBITS AT A NEW YORK GALLERY

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ocal artist Maribel Mathews has been selected by the Agora Gallery in New York to form part of a group of three artists to showcase their work at an exhibition entitled “Unbound Perspectives”.

The Minister for Culture Steven Linares said: “Maribel is a hugely talented artist.

Her skills and perseverance during so many years has helped her progress and gain success as an artist in the local art

scene. This experience will aid her in further development and will give her the opportunity to have her work recognised internationally.”

Her work pays homage to the everabounding good in life that is lived but often unseen. “There is so much violence and sadness around us,” she says. “To create something beautiful is important.

It is almost like creating a portal to a better world.”

ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES WILDLIFE CAMERAS

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he Department of the Environment, Heritage and Climate Change (DEHCC) launched the second phase of its Gibraltar Nature Cameras Project with the installation of two live-feed cameras showing the nests of one of our most wellknown visiting birds, the Pallid Swift. These fast moving, sickle-shaped birds, signal the start of the spring and are a characteristic feature of the Spring and Summer skies of Gibraltar.

Following the earlier deployment of the greatly successful live marine camera, the initiative will be used as part of the Department’s wider Environmental Education Programme aiming to increase knowledge of and protect both our natural and urban environments. It is hoped that the live-feed Swift cameras will help raise awareness on the fascinating lives of these

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birds, as well encourage the wider public to protect them and their nest sites. Swifts fly all the way down to tropical Africa and back every single year, and once they leave the nest as youngsters, are known to spend several years continuously on the wing.

Two species of swifts have historically nested in built-up areas in Gibraltar; the Common swift characterised by its dark, almost black colour and the Pallid swift, which is paler brown. Older buildings in Gibraltar were constructed using traditional methods, leaving gaps under the eaves and gables. These have long been used by swifts for nesting.

However, modern building styles and techniques have had an adverse effect on the local swift population by decreasing the habitat that these birds use for

nesting. Government is placing nests around Gibraltar and it is the policy of the Development and Planning Commission to require the installation of swift nests in all new construction.

There is a third species, the larger and much rarer Alpine swift, which nests in crags on the east side of the Rock.

Additional cameras showcasing Gibraltar’s rich wildlife, such as birds of prey, will be launched later this Spring. The Swift cameras can be viewed online from the DEHCC’s Thinking Green website www. thinkinggreen.gov.gi.

Minister for the Environment, Dr John Cortes said, “These cameras will bring our urban wildlife right into our homes. We will be able to follow the development of these swifts from eggs to fledging.”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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GIBRALTAR ENACTS NEW LEGISLATION PROTECTING SHARKS, RAYS AND SKATES

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he Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Climate Change Dr. John Cortes, has today published a significant amendment to the Nature Protection Act 1991 making Gibraltar one of the first countries in the world to offer near complete protection to all species of Sharks, Rays and Skates found within their Territorial Waters.

According to the latest assessment of Sharks in the Mediterranean carried out by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global authority on the status of marine species, at least 53% of the Sharks and Rays native to the Mediterranean Sea are at risk of extinction and require urgent action to conserve their populations and habitats.

This latest move by HM Government of Gibraltar will help ensure that British Gibraltar Territorial Waters will play an important role in the conservation of Sharks and is in keeping with the Government’s wider mandate to become a leader in the application of Regional Marine Protection Conventions such as the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea. Only two species can now be fished in BGTW but only under strict licence conditions.

The legal measure was subject to a consultation process with the Nature Conservancy Council and carries the full support of the Fishing Working Group set up by the Minister for the Environment under the Marine Protection Regulations 2014, at which all the fishing groups are represented.

Minister Cortes, stated, “Gibraltar is now at the forefront of nature conservation in the Mediterranean. We are showing that we are perfectly capable of looking after our territorial waters and taking our place in the international community. This is primarily an environmental measure, but it will also send a strong message to those who may feel that our leaving the European Union may mean that our position in protecting our waters, in whatever way, is weakened; quite the contrary.”

BATHING AT WESTERN BEACH

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estern Beach consistently had excellent bacterial water quality prior to 2010. Since then, and especially during periods of rainfall in the winter months, there have been erratic episodes associated with sewage discharges from a storm water drain from La Linea which significantly affected the bacterial water quality at this beach. Nevertheless, it was possible to open Western Beach last summer since bathing water quality was acceptable from an EU perspective during this period.

The present EU Bathing Water Directive stipulates the manner in which Bathing Water is categorised as either ‘Acceptable Water Quality’ or ‘Low Water Quality’.

After a period of rainfall, bathing will only be permitted once sampling results are consistently found to be acceptable under the present Bathing Water Quality Directive.

A protocol to protect public health will once again be implemented during the GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

bathing season as and when required. The protocol is as follows: • The sampling regime will be maintained at three times a week (far in excess of the recommended minimum sampling period).

• Visual and olfactory inspections will be carried out on a daily basis. Any pollution detected will be assessed and, if deemed necessary, the beach will be closed until such time sample results confirm the EU values are met.

• Similarly, when there is deterioration in the bacterial water quality the beach will be closed. This will continue until the authorities are satisfied that bathing water quality meets the “Acceptable water quality” EU value at which time the beach will be reopened.

• As bathing water quality may be influenced strongly by rainfall, the beach will be closed during periods of heavy rain.

• In the above situation, the sampling frequency will be increased to daily until

it is ascertained that the EU values are being met at which time the beach will be reopened.

The Bathing water quality sampling results continue to be published on the Environmental Agency Website http:// environmental-agency.gi/index.php/bathingwater and in the Gibenviro Smart Phone App. The public should also observe the notice board at Western Beach where the latest advice on bathing water quality will be displayed. This notice board will be prominently displayed at the official point of entry to the beach. The Bathing Water Quality will be displayed by three coloured indicators: Acceptable Water Quality - Bathing permitted at your own risk.

Low Water Quality - Bathing permitted at your own risk.

Bathing prohibited.

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TRAFFIC FIXED PENALTY NOTICES

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s part of the Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan, HM Government of Gibraltar working in partnership with the Royal Gibraltar Police, has recently enacted legislative changes to the Traffic Act 2005. A Police Officer or an authorised person can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice to the driver of a motor vehicle committing a moving traffic offence.

A ‘Fixed Penalty Notice’ offers the person issued with it, the opportunity of discharging the liability of having to attend court by paying a fixed penalty of £100.

Payment is required within 28 days from the date of issue. Failure to pay will render the offender liable to prosecution and a court summons will be sent.

Offences for which police officers will now be able to issue the notice: •

excess speed,

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driver of a motorcycle failing to wear protective helmet or not properly fastened,

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using a mobile device whilst driving,

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failing to wear seat belt – driver & passenger,

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failing to indicate intention to turn,

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driver carrying unbelted child under 14 years of age,

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inefficient/defective exhaust,

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excessive noise - exhaust.

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driver carrying a child under 135cm without proper restraint,

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overtaking traffic other than on the left,

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contravening traffic light or sign,

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driving against the flow of traffic,

For more serious breaches of these offences, police will still retain the power to summons the offender to court, as was the case previously. However, by allowing RGP Officers and Authorised people to issue FPNs for these offences, court time is reduced.

CYBER SUCCESS FOR BAYSIDE STUDENTS

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ix Year 11 students from Bayside School were successful in their applications to attend a CyberFirst Futures course run by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre.

The CyberFirst Futures courses form part of the UK Government’s Cyber Security Programme and aim to develop a national extracurricular school programme that will identify the most promising computer science students and offer them intensive training and mentoring.

Competition for places is tough and students were required to undertake a number of online tests, which included numeracy, situational strength, technical mind-set and working practices as part of their application process.

Gibraltar’s six successful students will attend a five day residential course at Royal Holloway University of London from 7th to 11th August. As part of the programme they will explore advanced cyber security threats to devices, apps and software, and investigate different methods of protecting them.

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The Government takes this opportunity to thank both EY Accountants and AquaGib for covering the cost of students’ transport to London.

Minister for Education, Dr John Cortes, said: “I am delighted at the success of

our students, and grateful to all involved in this initiative for supporting them.

Education outside the classroom is at least as important as that within, and this extra-curricular programme will bring real benefits to both the students and the community in the longer term.”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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BUS ROUTES ONLINE TRACKING COMPLETED

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he Ministry for Infrastructure and Planning is pleased to announce the completion of the real-time bus tracking service that covers all the working routes offered by the Gibraltar Bus Company.

geographical bus location data with the bus route information which is then embedded within Gibraltar’s geoportal maps to output the information displayed on the WebApp.

The final route, the Night Bus Route N8, which was commenced as a pilot scheme, now appears on the Bus Tracker Web App alongside all the other routes. This route will only be visible on Friday and Saturday nights between the hours of 9pm and 2am, which is when this route is operational.

The Gibraltar Bus Tracker WebApp offers users real-time bus information. From any smart phone or desktop computer with internet access, people are able to access the website, select a bus route and see a transit map that displays where buses are located within the given route. The buses move across the map in real-time.

The Gibraltar Bus Tracker WebApp, has been developed by the Information Technology & Logistics Department and uses location data provided by enhanced dedicated GPS devices mounted inside each bus. This information is then transmitted wirelessly to a tracking server using on-board cellular equipment.

The developed software integrates the

The Minister for Infrastructure and Planning the Hon Paul Balban said:

public transport experience of bus users by facilitating real time information. This major STTPP public transport target now brings the local bus service into the 21st century and in line with what can be seen in many major cities of the world. I must congratulate IT & LD for their magnificent work as this very technically complicated project has been carried out internally.”

“It gives me great satisfaction to announce that the Gibraltar Bus Tracker WebApp has now been completed and includes all 8 of our Bus Routes, one year from the launch of the initial two routes in April 2016.

We believe this feature has improved the

UNAFFECTED BY WANNACRY RANSOMWARE ATTACK

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uthorities in Gibraltar continue to closely monitor events surrounding last month’s global ransomware cyber attack that targeted organisations and individuals in various countries, in particular, those targeting various sectors across the UK, where agencies continue to work and cooperate closely to investigate the attacks and restore services to those affected areas.

There have been no reports of any Gibraltar-based systems having been affected by this latest attack, which is said to have exploited a vulnerability in Windows operating systems. Although a patch for this vulnerability is said to have been released by Microsoft in March of this year, many systems may not have had this update installed.

The Royal Gibraltar Police and HMGoG’s Information, Technology & Logistics Department (ITLD) continue to communicate with each other regularly, and have already reached out to local GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

industry partners through the issuing of preventative advice.

Attacks of this nature, particularly on critical services, can have a significant impact on individuals, therefore it is important for organisations and individuals alike to ensure that they: 1) Do not click on links or open any attachments received in unsolicited emails or SMS messages.

(Remember that fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address to make it appear like one used by someone you trust. If in doubt, always check the email header (or contact the person separately).

2) Always install software updates as soon as they become available, no matter how inconvenient this might sometimes seem.

Whether an update is for the operating system (ie Windows) or an application, an update can contain fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.

3) Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider.

Note that it is important that the device you backup to is not left in an insecure location, or linked to the same network your main machines are connected to.

There are various online resources that provide useful advice on how to protect your data, devices, what to do if/when infected with ransomware and access to unlocking tools.

One such resource is the “No More Ransomware” project, a free online resource developed by the European Cybercrime Centre and industry partners, and which can be found at: www. nomoreransom.org.

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NEWCASTLE BUILDING SOCIETY BRANCH CLOSURE

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ollowing the announcement around the planned the closure of its branch in Gibraltar, Newcastle Building Society has stated that it hopes to work closely with the Gibraltar Government to manage the transition for customers. Expressing commitment to maintaining an ongoing dialogue through the process, chief executive Andrew Haigh (pictured), stated: “We are confident that the Gibraltar economy has a strong future. Our decision to close the branch is purely a matter of geography. Over recent years, we have become increasingly focused on our regional heartland – the North East of England.

“The decision to close a branch is never

made lightly, the plans we’ve announced reflect our ongoing strategy to strengthen our regional focus.”

Whilst the current indicative date for the planned branch closure is October 31, the Society aims to work with the Gibraltar Government to review and confirm details of the process, including the management and timeline for transition of savings and mortgages products held by customers in Gibraltar.

Andrew added: “We will be writing to all our customers to inform them of the change and what this means to them and have set up a dedicated telephone information line for our Gibraltar customers.”

ISOLAS CELEBRATES TIES WITH LONDON AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS As part of a series of events and initiatives designed to mark the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Gibraltar’s oldest law firm, ISOLAS hosted a reception for its London clients and partners at the House of Commons last month. The reception was hosted in association with Fiduciary, ISOLAS’ affiliated corporate and trust service provider, with offices in Gibraltar and London.

The reception, attended by approximately 150 guests, predominantly from the legal and financial services industries, were addressed by Senior Partner, Peter Isola and his brother, The Honourable Albert J Isola, MP, Minister for Commerce.

Peter Isola addressed the guests saying ‘the firm has been providing professional legal services, both in Gibraltar and in the international community for many a year and it’s really appropriate that we celebrate this with you, in London, where so many of our friends and professional colleagues are.” He continued by saying that “although we’re the longest established law firm in Gibraltar, our philosophy and approach is to provide legal services in a modern, innovative and cutting-edge way.”

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Albert Isola, addressing the audience from the podium with the assistance of crutches as he recovers from hip replacement surgery, remarked on how wonderful it was to celebrate the occasion at the House of Commons, in London, in a place that has such historical significance for the firm and for Gibraltar generally. He spoke about the surprise of the Brexit referendum decision but reminded the guests of the tenacity of the professional community in Gibraltar and how we are now looking at new,

Brexit insensitive opportunities to diversify the economic product of Gibraltar plc as ISOLAS looks forward to celebrating many anniversaries to come.

As part of the celebrations of the anniversary, ISOLAS will be organising further events locally and is looking forward to celebrating with family, friends, partners and clients here in Gibraltar during the course of 2017.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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GIBRALTAR AIRPORT POLLED 4TH IN MOST SCENIC AIRPORT LANDING 2017

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ollowing PrivateFly’s poll on the ‘Top 10 Most Scenic Airport Landings of 2017’, Gibraltar International Airport was voted in 4th place.

Thousands of global travel fans voted in PrivateFly’s annual Scenic Airports Poll this year. Over 122 different airports around the world received a mention, including those chosen and shortlisted by PrivateFly’s expert judging panel.

The complete Top 10 Most Scenic Airport Landings was as follows:

approach offers amazing views of this jewel of the Med. Love Gib to bits.”

One of the Poll’s judges, Tom Otley, said: “Gibraltar has stunning views, the iconic rock and a very short runway on the border of two countries.”

6. London City Airport, UK 7. St Maarten Princess Juliana Int’l Airport, Caribbean 8. Orlando Melbourne Airport, USA

1. Saba Airport, Caribbean

9. Barra Airport, Scotland, UK

2. Donegal Airport, Ireland

10. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada

3. Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, France 4. Gibraltar Airport, Gibraltar 5. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand

The poll has already been receiving international media coverage.

Comments from the public included: “Coming in from either East or West, the

60 wines by the glass 40 small dishes of Mediterranean cuisine

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

30 John Mackintosh Square GX11 1AA Gibraltar Tel: 200 70201 13 info@vinopolisgastrobar.gi www.vinopolisgastrobar.gi

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UNPRECEDENTED NUMBERS FOR NURSING DEGREE COURSE

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he GHA’s School of Health Studies, in conjunction with Kingston University and St George’s University of London (KUSGUL), interviewed candidates for the fourth intake of a BSc (Hons) degree course in adult nursing last month.

2012 saw the first degree intake, and it is expected that by September 2018, the GHA will have 34 local graduates in nursing studies, all educated at the School of Health Studies (“SHS”).

Mr James Viñales, Principal Lecturer of the course, noted that the SHS has made offers to 20 students for the September 2017 intake, with each receiving a £650 tax-free bursary to complete the course in Gibraltar. This is the highest-ever number of students. The three-year training programme will be fully delivered locally, with placements for students carried out throughout St Bernard’s Hospital, Elderly Residential Services, Primary Care Centre, St Bernadette’s, Ocean views and in the community.

The panel of examiners for the BSc (Hons) interviews include a patient who has experienced care at the GHA, a clinical nurse manager, ward sister, specialist nurse and academic members of the SHS. Mr Viñales said: “A good nurse has to demonstrate compassion, courage and have strong communication skills. The students must be able to understand their own limitations and have accountability for their own actions. This is a vocational profession. You have to like it, because it is tough and requires extraordinary commitment.”.

At the end of the training period, qualified nurses will be granted their licence to practice and inclusion in the Gibraltar Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Registration Board together with their academic BSc (Hons) nursing degree. The course is open to all resident Gibraltarians over the age of 18 who have attained ‘A’ Level education or equivalent and

a minimum of five ‘O’ Levels including Mathematics, Science and English Language. There will be more interviews for the September 2017 intake to be conducted in early July, with the advert for the BSc (Hons) to be released on the 1st June 2017.

For further information on this programme of study visit http://shs.gha.gi.

CLUBHOUSE GIBRALTAR STAFF QUALIFY AS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS

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lubhouse Gibraltar has successfully secured the licence to run Mental Health First Aid courses in Gibraltar. Two Clubhouse staff members have qualified as trainers in Mental Health 1st Aid after attending a course in UK. The training is designed to fit into four manageable chunks, these are:

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Mental Health First Aid

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Depression and Suicide Crisis

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Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Eating Disorders and Self Harm

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Psychosis, Schizophrenia and Bipolar

In each section you will learn how to: •

Spot the early signs of a mental distress

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Feel confident about helping someone experiencing mental ill health

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Provide help on a first aid basis

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Help prevent someone from hurting themselves or others

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Help stop a mental illness from developing or getting worse

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Guide someone towards finding the right support

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Reduce the stigma of mental illness.

Everyone who attends the course will receive a copy of the MHFA manual and workbook. When you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate to confirm that you are a trained Mental Health First Aider.

The course is open to anyone over the age of 16, who works, managers or supports people in their community or work place.

The total cost of the course is £195 per person (Statuary/ Private Sector) and £150 for voluntary sector. Lunch and refreshments will be included in the cost.

All money raised through the training will be go towards the running costs of Clubhouse Gibraltar. Places are limited to

16 people on each course.

The first course will run from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th June at the University of Gibraltar.

For further information call Kevin or Darryl at Clubhouse Gibraltar on 200 68423.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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GHA HOSTS ‘LET’S TALK ABOUT…’ MEN’S HEALTH SESSIONS

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he Gibraltar Health Authority and the School of Health Studies are organising a series of one hour talks on men’s health issues at the King’s Bastion Cinema hosted

by Professor Ian Banks, a leading European medical authority on the subject. The ‘Let’s Talk About…’ programme was launched by the Minister for Health, Care and Justice Neil Costa in May, ahead of the inaugural talk under the theme ‘MOTs for Men’.

Association. This will be followed on July 20th with ‘Men and Mental Health’ with Mayor Kaiane Aldorino Lopez as special guest. The next talk ‘Being Healthy’ takes place in September and will be delivered by well-known Sports Medicine Specialist Eva Carneiro. The final talk ‘Understanding Heart Conditions’ will be held in October.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has been invited to formally close the series.

The idea of these talks is to attract a predominantly male audience – often reticent when it comes to engaging with health care services – for a programme of informative talks on a whole range of male health concerns, including bowel afflictions, diabetes and prostate ailments.

Further, in conjunction with the seminar, a new Health Passport, which will keep tabs on vital individual health data, will be introduced to the community. It is expected that GPs at the Primary Care Centre will recommend that the ‘passport’ be adopted by patients as an efficient register of a person’s health status.

Professor Banks, a GP in his own right, is also the president of the European Men’s Health Forum.

Each event will be open to the public, have an interactive format and include a well-known local speaker to bring added interest to the proceedings. The second talk, ‘Understanding Male Cancers’ takes place on June 22nd with the presence of a representative from the Gibraltar Football

Minister Costa welcomed the GHA initiative, he said: “We are delighted that the GHA is hosting this series of discussions aimed at men, who are usually less receptive when it comes to prevention and early detection of health issues. “‘Let’s Talk About…’ will create awareness about some of the main health concerns affecting men, thereby understanding their

risk factors and how they can improve their overall health. This is an excellent initiative by the GHA to promote good health, vital for a happy and full life”.

The talks will be recorded by GBC and screened at a later date.

GHA ESTABLISHES NEW ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS HOTLINE

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he Gibraltar Health Authority, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, has set up an anonymous telephone hotline for members of the community and staff members to report any area of concern or complaints about the local health service.

The number to call is 200 07919, where callers will be able to record a short voicemail message after a recorded introductory greeting.

The Patient Advocacy & Liaison Service (PALS) will staff the hotline and will ensure that genuine grievances are investigated and resolved.

The hotline is also available for GHA staff members to report their concerns.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

Minister for Health, Care and Justice Neil Costa welcomed the initiative. He said: “I am confident that this hotline will become an important new facility for members of the public, and also for staff members, to highlight issues of concern or complaints on an anonymous basis. With the information that we obtain, PALS will be able to look into grievances and attempt to solve any issues that may otherwise remain under the radar.

“The purpose of the hotline is to identify problems that do not surface through the normal channels of communication, which will allow PALS, together with the relevant GHA officials, to investigate matters. Our aim is to have an extra tool at our disposal to help us solve outstanding problems.

“In a small place like Gibraltar, sometimes people will not wish to publicly make complaints. The hotline guarantees individual anonymity, and members of the public or staff members will feel reassured that they can inform us of things so that we can tackle them and come up with solutions. The telephone hotline is wholly in keeping with our overriding aim of continuously striving to improve the quality of the health care that we provide to our community.”

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around town

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around town

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17

hello there

Lena Harriet, 4 Reception, St Joseph’s School

Mary Smethers, 70 Retired

I have two favourites and they are Disney’s Rapunzel and Elsa. I like them a lot because they are brave, pretty and they are really funny. I think they sing beautiful songs and I like to listen to them over and over again and sing along.

I’ve loved Micky Mouse for as long as I can remember. Watching Mickey takes me back to my childhood and makes me happy. I don’t mind whether it’s in black and white or in colour, I love all his adventures and I love wearing Micky Mouse t-shirts too.

FAVOURITE FICTIONAL

M J Feek Chef, Benjamin’s, Ocean Village

Rose Hodjanson, 66 Retired Nurse, GHA

Without a doubt, my favourite fictional character is Harry Potter.

I’ve spent many years reading and watching him and now he is a favourite of my children too. Twice a year, we have a Harry Potter marathon where we watch all the films one after another. We know them so well we can even quote the dialogue at the same time as the characters!

I’ve found my fictional favourite through my grandchildren - Elsa from Frozen. They watch and listen to it all the time so I know the story, the character and the songs very well. We even listen to it in the car. It’s my favourite because it’s something we all do together.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

hello there

Raja Mengunani, 41 Store Manager, Antonio Diamond Boutique

Leon Cruz, 12 Middle School

My favourite fictional character is Superman. He has great super powers and he does what he wants, how he wants, when he wants, where he wants, why he wants and to whom he wants.

Why would anyone want anything less?!

Now I prefer non-fiction and real life heroes but I do quite like Captain America, especially his shield and the way it can be used to protect him. Also, when I was much younger, I really wanted to be Spider-Man and get all his super powers.

CHARACTER...

Denis Sheethan, 72 Ex Police Constable, MOD

Sean Smethers, 47 Shop Worker

I love Del Boy, the character created by David Jason in Only Fools and Horses. With such a talented actor he’s created a character that people watching can identify with. Everything Del Boy does or gets involved with, makes me laugh. I feel that I could get on well with Del Boy.

Anyone who is familiar with Star Trek will know my favourite character from the “Live Long and Prosper” quote. Mr Spock is my all-time favourite character. He is always there to help solve problems using his brain and logic without emotions clouding his judgement. I have seen every episode, from all the series but it was watching the original series with my dad, who was a fan of Mr Spock, that influenced me from a very early age.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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business

SEASON OF BUSY

Can we afford to let our guard down this summer?

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Physically “going away” may no longer be Closer to home, the full implications of t this time of year, I generally Brexit – and how it might affect Gibralan option, but surely it’s still OK in 2017 take the chance to bid a nonetar in particular – are yet to be clarified, too-fond farewell to a cold, wet to take your foot off the pedal and enjoy although we are already getting a flavour winter, acknowledge the promise some extended downtime in the summer months? Right? Not so, in my humble of the difficult and perhaps ill-tempered of spring, and start to consider the prosopinion. By any measure, it has been a very negotiations to come over the next couple pect of the long, lazy summer that is lying of years. Local businesses would be well busy winter on the international stage, the just around the corner. And – for almost advised to pay careful attention. Whilst ten years now – I have done my best to results of which will have significant implisearch out any green shoots cations for the financial world and, by new challenges will certainly arise, so will extension, to all of us. new opportunities and these will need to of financial recovery that It has been be exploited swiftly – before someone else must surely be on their way. a very busy does!

Think back to the start of the year winter on the I remember being a young and consider the uncertainty generatinternational It is gratifying to note that, as a territory, ed around the world by the first few trainee in the City some thirstage, the weeks of the new Trump administrawe are as involved in this process as any ty years ago. In those days, results of tion in the United other part of the UK and, I dare to venmy stock broking chums which will have States. Important ture, that we are far more engaged than always counselled me to Whilst new significant and unpredictable “sell in May and go away”. In challenges will most. Locally, government ministers implications... today’s “24/7/365” econoelections followed in certainly arise, and others continue to ensure that our voice, whilst coming from a small place, the Netherlands and my – I am reliably informed so will new that’s shorthand for 24 hours a day, 7 days in France over the spring, opportunities... is always heard. a week, 365 days a year – that is no longer which led to rising apprehension and debate across possible but, when I first arrived in GibralJust as I was thinking we might have Europe. From time to time this uncertainty tar, the concept of summer hours brought had our fill of uncertainty – which as back memories of those halcyon days. inevitably caused markets to wobble. we know is the main enemy of market GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

21

business stability – along comes another curveball.

This column appears just as the British electorate is about to return to “las urnas” at a snap general election – the second time they have been asked to do so in two years (not including the referendum). Prime Minister Theresa May gave all sorts of reasons for her decision to go back on previous undertakings but Brits were basically being asked to give a mandate to their preferred Brexit negotiating team.

The results of the UK election will not be known until the early hours of Friday, 9 June. Two years ago, I dedicated this column to those of us who practice psephology. For those recent converts to my musings, this word – derived from the ancient Greeks’ practice of using pebbles to cast votes – refers to that but there are 200 more jurisbranch of political science dealing with the dictions worldwide. So while study and statistical analysis of elections. I the rest of the world slumbers confess to being an acute sufferer and will on the beach this certainly be staying up all night to summer, let’s make watch as the results come in.

I confess the most of these to being an opportunities!

The new British Prime Minister acute sufferer – whoever he or she turns out and will to be – will then face a two-year certainly be struggle with a none-too-friendly staying up all European Union and none of us night to watch know at this stage how it will all as the results pan out. As one of the 96% of our electorate who voted to remain in come in. the EU, I am obviously not thrilled at this prospect, but we have to accept the result and hope for the best.

In the meantime, we have an economy to manage and develop in Gibraltar.

Last month, I focussed on FinTech as the Gibraltar Magazine paved the way for the inaugural Cryptocurrency Summit held on 9 May in Gibraltar. This was just one example of our ability to punch above our weight. One need only look at the range of financial services providers already established here that are competing with traditional banks in the funds transfer and currency exchange areas to appreciate the profound changes that lie ahead. An exciting new world beckons for those brave enough (or should that be far-sighted enough?) to embrace the opportunities afforded by new technology.

I am obviously not thrilled at this prospect, but we have to accept the result and hope for the best.

While it is vital to keep up with new technologies, there are many other ways in which individuals and businesses can make a significant difference to Gibraltar’s international financial services offering. As a raft of supranational transparency initiatives – not least the Common

It will come as no surprise to regular readers that I intend continuing to beat the Gibraltar drum at every opportunity. We know that Gibraltar is an excellent place in which to do business, so it behoves all of us charged with promoting the jurisdiction to do so, safe in the knowledge that what we are saying is true. Not convinced? Then delve a little deeper.

There is no reason to suppose that much of our well-developed finance centre will not continue to thrive post-Brexit. A substantial proportion of the sector’s activity relies not on Europe per se but the UK in particular. Whilst Brexit is likely to impact negatively on our ability to passport financial services to the rest of the EU, the UK will remain our largest target market. Nor should we forget the vast array of possibilities that lie further afield. Sure there are 27 countries in the EU that may not be so well disposed towards us, at least initially, 22

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

business

Reporting Standard A substantial (CRS), which introduces proportion of a single global standard for the collection, the sector’s reporting and exchange activity relies of financial account not on Europe information on foreign per se but the tax residents – becomes UK... reality, so will the ability of our financial service providers to adapt and ensure compliance with international standards.

Like Brexit, we cannot alter progress in So, can we afford to close up shop this this area, but we can all choose to emsummer, head for the beach and hope for brace it positively – and hopethe best? You can if you want So while fully reap the reputational and to, but I know where I’ll be. Of the rest of the transactional benefits by so course, a balance must be struck, doing – rather than taking the world slumbers but this year, perhaps more than “ostrich option” of burying our any I can remember – and I can on the beach heads in the sand and trying remember many summers – a this summer, to pretend that nothing has week may certainly be a long let’s make the changed. In the latter case, time in finance. A whole summer most of these beware. As we all know, sand is therefore an opportunity not to opportunities! can get uncomfortably hot. be wasted.

Ian Le Breton is Corporate Services Director, Sovereign Group Tel: +350 200 76173 Email: ilebreton@ SovereignGroup.com GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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business

SALES METRICS Successful retail is in the detail

T

of the customers can still be influenced he summer season is the High the help they provide to deliver superior to buy. Retail managers should evaluate Season for Gibraltar’s retail busiperformance: whether their store layout, product range, nesses, with thousands of potential promotions and checkout processes are in shoppers filling Main Revenue side retail metrics: line with what the customer is expecting.

Street and other parts of Retail is one town on a daily basis. Retail is Footfalls of the most one of the most competitive Sale per square meter/foot competitive Tracking the number of visitors to industries with sharp focus on This indicator measures how much average industries with a store is a basic metric that every increasing sales and retaining sale is generated from each square meter retailer should absolutely track. more customers. But sales are sharp focus of area in the retail store. Sales per square Whether it’s the shopping season, a not the only parameter that on increasing meter can provide important insights in new store location, the new display determine success. In order for sales and terms of the effectiveness of the store window design, or that loyalty retail business owners to stay layout and the performance of sales perretaining more program that a shop has recently on top, they need to know evlaunched, footfalls will provide store sonnel. It may also give an indication on customers. erything about their business. whether a store size is too big or too small managers with the knowledge of in relation to the volume of sales what’s working and They may not seem glamorous, but metrics the store takes. what needs to be improved.

Tracking the equal money. When advising retailers Once the footfalls are about growing their business, we often number of visitors known, it’s important to track Average customer spend tell business owners and store managers to a store is a basic whether these are generating that in order to make the best decisions This indicator involves calmetric that every that impact on their bottom line, they need pounds for the business. culating the average amount retailer should to derive actionable insights from their customers are spending during Conversion % business data. While there are hundreds absolutely track. each purchase. It can also be of metrics that retailers could keep track compared with the average Studies show that only about of, we recommend examining the follownumber of units purchased per transaction 30% of retail store visitors actually make a ing ones which stand out in terms of the (UPT). Average purchase value can vary purchase, which means that at least 70% competitive advantage they provide and 24

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

business depending on the type of retail store. For example, an electronics retail store will generally have a higher average spend per transaction and a lower UPT compared to an apparel store which is likely to have a lower average spend but higher units per transactions. An analysis of average customer spend can help retailers in segmenting their customers and plan their sales and marketing efforts.

Cost side retail metrics: Distribution of staff hours Store labour is the largest category of controllable non-product cost for retailers. For this reason, it is important that appropriate labour hours are deployed to support planned sales. However, more important to survival in the current tough Sales per retail environment is labour flexibility square meter — that is, not the total number of hours per week, but the distribution can provide of those hours throughout the week. important This means that stores have sufficient insights in staff on the floor at non-overtime pay terms of the rates when needed on Bank Holidays and evenings, and were not overeffectiveness staffed in quiet periods. of the store Staff retention rate It is a well-known equation: happy employees lead to happy customers - which means a thriving business! But employee attrition is severely counterproductive to this equation. Recruiting and training a new employee costs huge resources in terms of money and time, though retaining an existing employee is usually much cheaper. Moreover, especially in a small place like Gibraltar, employees hold the key to healthy one-to-one relationships with customers. So losing an employee can possibly lead to lost customers!

Gross margin Profit margin is an obvious metric, but store managers can’t overlook the importance of knowing how much money they are actually earning after deducting the costs of goods sold. Additionally, it allows them to determine if their sales are costing more than they’re making. That way, they could know exactly how to adjust store overall operational costs and prices of items.

layout...

Inventory metrics:

Days of supply

Number of SKUs

A key driver of complexity in a retail environment is the number of unique Stock Keeping Units (SKUs). Whilst offering a large number of SKUs may seem to be offering customers what they want, it adds cost to the operation. High SKU counts result in the need for larger warehouses, higher stock levels, more suppliers to manage, and more effort to maintain product availability.

Stock to Sales Ratio

Store labour

The number of days it would take to run out of supply if it was not replenished (inventory on hand / average daily usage).

This measurement enables retailers to see how much available inventory they need in order to maintain normal operations for some period of time after a supply chain disruption occurs.

Average age of inventory The average number of days it takes a retailer to sell a product to consumers.

The older the inventory is, the more it’s costing the business. If a product’s average age of inventory exceeds 120 days, it’s normally time to drastically reduce price, consider bundling it, or use whatever means necessary to get it off the shelves.

is the largest This is a key statistic for measuring whether or not category of a shop is overstocked. If controllable nonthe Stock to Sales Ratio product cost for rises, and there is not retailers. an accompanying rise in sales, then the business At a time when Main Street retailers are is adding more stock without increasing faced with increased competition from onsales, which will reduce its profitability. If line retailers, as well as challenges on both the Stock to Sales Ratio decreases, and supply chain management and cross-borsales do not decrease, then there will der employees, there could be immense be increased profitability. The goal is to value in properly measuring and analysing reduce Stock to Sales Ratio as low as posretail metrics. sible, without losing sales.

Eran Shay is Managing Director & Ayelet Mamo Shay is Business Development Director of Benefit Business Solutions Ltd. Tel: (+350) 20073669 Email: general@benefitgibraltar.com GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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business words | Sylvia Kenna, The HR Dept.

BUSINESS PLAN REVIEW Can you fix a broken culture?

F

colour-coded update of his or her progollowing on from last months’ topic the new company hoped he would do the on company culture, I thought I’d same for them. ress toward meeting key company goals. share how a new CEO brought Projects that were on track or ahead of about a change in a schedule were coded green, yellow indiThe problem is the system, not cated that there were potential issues or culture that impacted the The company the people concerns, and red flagged those programs company’s success and turned was in such it from a loss maker to a monthat were behind schedule or off plan.

Although his new board had a bad state ey maker. Many of you will given him carte blanche to that the board have heard of this man and For the first few weeks everyone came change the leadership team, he unconventionally his story, however, it is always to the meeting with all their goals coded advised them that he didn’t think decided to take helpful to have a reminder. green. The culture of the company enhe would need to replace many on Alan who was people. Alan’s initial assessment couraged internal competition and no one from outside...

Alan who has now retired, wanted to admit to being off track or havof the company’s failed managejoined the new company as ment was that it was the system— ing problems. Initially, the leadership team resisted the BPR. They had important work CEO and he was brought in to halt the and not the people—that was the problem. to do and didn’t have time for decline to bankruptcy that seemed to be His solution was to use a peer these mandatory weekly sessions. inevitable. The company was in such a accountability system that His solution bad state that the board unconventionally had worked well for him in was to use a peer They were used to working in decided to take on Alan who was from their own ‘kingdoms’, where their the past. The main part of this accountability authority was unquestioned and outside the company and from outside system was a weekly leadsystem that had they were in total control. They the industry. Alan started his career as an ership meeting he called the worked well for usually kept to themselves and engineer and was keen on proven process“business plan review” (BPR). him in the past. stayed out of each other’s way. es to achieve results, he had successfully managed his previous company making it When the leadership team came Every week, each leadera leaner and more profitable business and together, they were fierce competitors. ship team was expected to present a

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

business Alan’s expectation was that they would become skilled collaborators. They would come together for weekly sessions where they would provide honest reports and be accountable to each other. To the leadership team this appeared like a crazy idea and a sure route to unemployment.

The breakthrough One of the leaders, Mark, who saw no value in the BPR complained to Alan that he needed to keep focused on his business unit. He felt the meetings were a waste of his time and detracted from his real work.

Alan asked him to trust in the process.

Mark felt he should have been the new CEO and that his time with the company was limited. So, he deHe was cided if he was going to lose his determined job, he might as well go out “in a to transform blaze of glory.” His unit had been the leadership working on a project that was in team from rivals serious trouble, and he decided into a team of at the next BPR meeting, he collaborators. would code it red. His colleagues

Alan ensured that he created an environment where it was acceptable to honestly report the actual status of key goals. He also persuaded the team that there was no value in false status reports to give the impression that everything is going well for the sake of personal image. When Alan was a firm believer in the BPR process people have a process that makes them feel accountable to each other and is safe because he understood building a highly to tell the truth about the actual status of effective team is not a one-time off-site goals, they allow themselves the team-building event, but opportunity to support each other rather a frequent gathering He created of the team in the same an environment to resolve critical issues. place at the same time for where it was The Alan in this story is Alan crucial business conversaacceptable to tions. The quality of a team is Mulally and he became the CEO of honestly report dependent upon the quality Ford Motor Company in 2006. He of the conversation, and that the actual status resigned in 2014. The Mark in this of key goals. story is Mark Fields who took over means building a shared understanding of the business. from Alan Mulally as CEO. the most important issues of the business. But more importantly, it provides opportunities for the team members to collaborate and share their activities to help create extraordinary performance.

were stunned when he made this announcement at the leadership meeting and felt he must surely lose his job. But Alan seized upon the moment to engage the whole leadership team on how they could collaborate together to solve the business issue Mark shared with the group.

Mark Fields taking over from Alan Mulally as CEO and President

Alan understood that the prime lever of an effective organization is a highly collaborative senior leadership team. Without this lever, it’s probably impossible, to have a collaborative organization. He was determined to transform the leadership team from rivals into a team of collaborators.

Building shared understanding and accountability Colour-coded status reports provide a level of transparency that is sometimes absent from the usual numerical reports, and processing these visual updates as a team instils a discipline of peer accountability that is often lacking in leadership teams. The process of frequently gathering the whole team in one place to review all key goals helps create a shared understanding about GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

27

property

FRONTIER WORKER

Pros and cons of each side of the border

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European Union. In addition, Prime Minisfrontier worker, or “transfronterpossibly, to tick all relevant boxes with izo” in Spanish, is an individual regards to convenience and cost effectiveter, after careful consideration, has recentperson that lives in one country ness. Let's try to analyse and opt for the ly called for a new general election this but works in another. Such is best choice in Gibraltar and outside, trying coming month of June 2017. Whether this fact will change the Brexit path is not easy the case with Gibraltar where the local to work out pros and cons with all their to say. Anything is possible but things are population is 30,000 inhabitants plus some consequences. Something crucial to bear 15,000 or more workers that are mind in our analysis is that Brexit unlikely to change. the frontier workers. Out of this will probably play a major role in Nobody last group, it is estimated that the frontier workers' decisions in Furthermore, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo really knows about 10,000 are Spaniards and the next three years. more than understandably announced in what the the rest is a good mix of Europea recent statement that given the present final and true At the moment, the fact of the an and non-European nationals situation with the EU, Gibraltar may as well outcome is who have chosen Gibraltar as matter is that nobody really knows leave the EU together with Mainland UK. going to be... their place to make a living. what the final and true outcome is going to be so for the time To add more spice to the issue, As far as property and accommodation being, things will have to the played will the French general elections Live across is concerned, the question is; where do by ear, or given the time frame we the border in together with elections in other these people actually live? Do they live just are given, we should better say, Spain and go European countries, like Italy or across the border in La Línea de La Conplay it by year.

Sweden, affect in any way the into Gibraltar cepción? Do they live further away east final outcome of all this? each day to and west of Gibraltar? Or do they actually It is widely known at this point in work. live in Gibraltar during their working week time that since Theresa May trigWith all these facts in mind and go back to Spain for weekends? The gered article 50 of The Treaty of what are the different options answer is that there is a mixed array of Lisbon, the UK has given official notice –as far as property is concerned- for a options to suit their particular needs and that it is finally and definitely leaving the frontier worker?

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property

Sotogrande

So, with all this in mind, why would a fronOption one is to live across Gibraltar for less than ÂŁ800 per calThe cost tier worker want to live in Gibraltar? Very the border in Spain and go into endar month for a one bedroom flat of a square or a studio apartment. That would simple. Out of mere comfort and conveGibraltar each day to work. metre on This is the most common case be a minimum figure. And if one denience. Plus the important advantages of and perhaps, an ideal option. being a Gibraltar resident. A good educathe Spanish sires a chic, modern, well-furnished The property market in La Linproperty of the same size, we are tion system in English, top class NHS, free side is public transport... Most of these things are ea and further along the coast considerably talking over ÂŁ1,000 per month. Like also available in Spain but mayeast or west in close-by towns anywhere else, the prettier cheaper... benefits from this. And for the and better decorated and be to a lesser extent. But it is Prime Gibraltar the convenience and comfort frontier worker, this option is, located, the more one is property cannot of living in Gibraltar without or could be very cost effective as the cost expected to pay. Its equivalent really be compared of a square metre on the Spanish side is on the other side (prime Gibralthe need to cross the border unless we consider each day that is to be considconsiderably cheaper and at times, it could tar property cannot really be Sotogrande and be half or less of its equivalent in Gibraltar compared unless we consider ered reason one, above all the similar areas. as far as buying property is concerned.

Sotogrande and similar areas) is rest. And that is precisely what I would advise my clients to do less expensive and sometimes, in a few cases, half the price - with the adif they can afford the extra cost: a small flat Option two would be renting. If we take vantages and disadvantages that go with it. in Gibraltar, very modern and well-decothe rental option, there is little choice in rated, near all amenities to be used during Small but modern flat in Gibraltar the week, with walking or cycling everywhere, including the international airport with several flights each day to the UK. In an ideal world, a weekend place in Spain would also be a tremendous contribution to happiness and leading a good life.

Jorge v.Rein Parlade MBA Business Consultant Tel: +350 54045282 Email: jorgeparlade@ icloud.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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WILD MACAQUES

life

words | Jessica Leaper, AWCP

AWCP visits a Moroccan research centre

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fter a twelve-hour journey to cross the strait to Morocco on one of the windiest days in April, AWCP’s Manager, Jess Leaper and Steve Bryant, arrived in Martil, the windswept coastal town that serves as tempoWild Barbary rary home to BMAC macaques Director Sian Waters and are naturally Researcher Lucy Radford. fearful, most

Sian and her team generally spend three months in Morocco in spring and again in autumn, trawling the stunning Atlas Mountains for the elusive Barbary macaques. ‘Elusive’ might seem a strange term for the Barbary macaques, given the gregarious nature of the monkeys in Gibraltar, but wild Barbary macaques are naturally fearful, most probably due to persistent persecution by humans.

well and are sometimes able to creep up on the macaques close enough to get a count, but it is almost impossible to fully research at this point.’ This fear of humans is perhaps why these groups are as yet untouched by poaching and the other evils inflicted on macaques across Morocco.

We travelled from Martil through Tetouan and up towards Bouhachem in the Monkey Bus; the faithful 4x4 chariot of the BMAC probably due team, skilfully navigated by Ahmed Al The actual BMAC Poaching, loss of habitat and the illegal to persistent Research and Education pet trade has led to a drastic Harred, Deputy Director persecution by of BMAC, driver, researchCentre is found deep decline in numbers of the maThe BMAC humans. er, chef and maker of the in the valleys of caques in recent years and there team have best coffee and mint tea in Bouhachem, 60km are now only a few fragmented recently Morocco. Ahmed seemed southwest of Martil and is where we were groups found in these mountains. The discovered new, to know everyone on the to spend the second night of our trip. good news is, the BMAC team have unhabituated recently discovered new, unhabituatway up through Tetouan groups high up to Bouhachem, from ed groups high up in the mountains The journey up to the research site began in the mountains police to peasant, he was beyond. Sian Waters, BMAC founder the next morning after a hearty brunch beyond. greeted warmly. and Director explains: ‘The difficulty is in Martil. The main aim of our trip was to locate some of the wild macaque groups in these macaques are in largely inaccessible areas. Luckily, our local researchers One of the important differences between the Bouhachem area that the BMAC team Mohammed and Ahmed know the area BMAC and other conservation groups is have been studying for a few years now.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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© Andrew Walmsley

environment

that they work closely with the local community; forging strong, mutually beneficial relationships.

It is not all focused directly on the macaques but all their efforts pay back in one way or another. Rabies vaccination schemes, community football matches, educational outreach, all indirectly positively affect the macaques’ welfare and future

They work closely with the local community; forging strong, mutually beneficial relationships.

Male with baby

32

prospects. ‘If the locals don’t care about the macaques, why would they make any effort to change their ways, but if they see positive benefits for themselves then they are more likely to feel positively towards the macaques or at least what we are trying to achieve’, explains Sian in her soft south Wales lilt.

This group were regularly spotted by the team as this was their usual route up the mountain to their sleeping site on the cliffs above. None of the group seemed in any rush, once they had deduced we were not a risk. ‘We are more likely to spot the macaques from the vehicle’, Sian explained.

‘On foot, the macaques would usually just run away from sight’. With the crunchy dry oak leaves on the forest floor, it was nigh on impossible to be stealthy, even the macaques, as light-footed as they were, could be heard tramping through this dry litter.

As the daylight began to wane and we bounced around on unrelenting rough mountain tracks, we began to think we might not ever see an actual macaque. The Most wild macaques groups in this area are habitat in the area is perfectly suited to around 60 individuals, with a mostly even camouflage them; stumps of trees laden male to female ratio but ‘this group for with soft golden moss catch the sunlight some reason has an abundance of females’, and trick the eye. Eventually, Sian signalled Sian commented. and the Monkey Bus gently As we quietly watched these slowed to a stop, she gestured She gestured gentle creatures playing and towards the road ahead and sure towards the grooming casually in the last enough, we were finally rewardroad ahead and beams of daylight, Sian and ed with our first glimpse of wild sure enough, Ahmed discussed in their own macaques. A couple of young, we were finally dialect, a mixture of Arabic, light blonde female macaques rewarded English and Spanish, making crossed the road in front of us with our first notes, identifying gender and and disappeared silently into the glimpse of wild approximate ages. Having carried forest. Ahmed rolled the vehicle out research myself on the macaques. forwards to gain a vantage point Gibraltar macaques, I realised down into the oak forest. Some what a huge task Sian and her more females had paused in the sunlight to team had on their hands. In Gibraltar, most forage through the oak leaves or to groom individuals are marked with a tattoo and and some youngsters played.

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Steve Bryant from the AWCP with the BMAC team: Sian Waters, Ahmed El Harred and Lucy Radford

each individual and group is documentany confiscations that are passed to BMAC role in persuading the young shepherds to ed after years of research. With over 20 pose quite a problem. Without facilities refrain from persecuting the macaques. He groups averaging 60 individulike this, rehabilitation can be has recently been employed full-time as als in their study area, increasalmost impossible.

Despite this, Project Assistant. Mohamed Chitwin has a A couple of ingly inaccessible areas and BMAC have returned individuals great knowledge of and an obvious passion young, light the shy nature of the animals, successfully back to the wild. Their for the macaques. He too now works as blonde female the task seems quite oversurvival in the wild can depend Project Assistant. Both clearly love their macaques whelming. This does not faze on how long it has been since work and are as dedicated as the rest of crossed the road their capture. The centre will allow the team to the macaques of this region the BMAC team. The most in front of us important thing is that these for soft-rehabilitation and also and to the project. groups are noted and protectand disappeared possibly the formation of groups ed. In fact, from BMAC’s point It was an exhausting but exhilasilently into the of confiscated macaques of view, the less habituated for release. rating trip that rewarded us with Their forest. the groups are, the better it is not only our first sightings of wild survival in for their future prospects.

After a surprisingly comthe wild can Barbary macaques but also an fortable night at the centre and an insight into the fascinating work depend on The research and education centre for excellent candle-lit feast and filling BMAC carry out; not only rehow long BMAC is found deep in the valleys of breakfast prepared by Ahmed, we searching the macaques but also it has been the important awareness building Bouhachem, down some of the rockiest reluctantly packed the Monkey since their tracks imaginable. At the start of the Bus to begin our journey home. and community work they carry capture.

1km track, we were greeted by one of But first, we had the pleasure of out in this area of Morocco. the teams many rescue dogs, Bruno, a meeting some more of the BMAC handsome cross-breed who eagerly egged team en-route. Ahmed Chetwan For more information on BMAC and us on through the rocky terrain, stopping was a shepherd in the area and has suptheir work visit www.awcp.gi/conserperiodically to leave his mark or chase off ported BMAC since 2009, playing a key vation or www.barbarymacaque.org. shepherd dogs along the way.

Š Andrew Walmsley

We arrived, rattled, tired and hungry as the sun was about to disappear behind spectacular mountain backdrop. Enough time for us to survey the area and the centre.

The centre is nearly complete, and has plenty of scope for the Education service it will eventually fulfil. All the work has been carried out by the team and has taken a couple of years to be habitable, though electricity is still a dream, they do have a well for fresh water.

They also plan to build a rehabilitation unit for confiscated macaques, a project the AWCP team hope to assist with. Currently, GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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environment words | Eyleen Sheil

CONSCIENCE EATING STALL World Meat Free Day

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hat would happen to the would send to slaughter. Sometimes it was animals if we don’t eat a home kill, sometimes the cow was killed them? Can a person live at the slaughter house. The next thing without meat? Is it possiwe knew was that the commercial sized ble for a person to give up bacon? These freezer on the farm was full of beef, be are just some of the questions it steaks, burgers or joints. I didn’t carnivores raise most days, but think much about it, cows back Cows back especially on days like Monday then were for then were for milking and being June 12, ‘World Meat Free Day’. killed to feed me.

In addition, despite declaring myself a ‘greenie’ and ‘environmentalist’ for many years, I had no idea just how damaging livestock farming is to the environment until movies like Cowspiracy came out. Now, I truly believe one cannot be an environmentalist unless they are vegan.

The answers are; animals would no longer be breed at an unnatural rate in horrific conditions or slaughtered; yes, a person can live without meat - if an elephant can, a person can; yes, it is possible to give up bacon as millions of people around the world do not eat bacon for religious reasons and if one is that desperate for the taste, there are alternatives.

World Meat Free Day aims to bring awareness to the impact the foods we eat have on the environment, with some foods having a bigger impact than others. You could say that the aim of the day is to help people remove their heads from the sand and make positive choices and decisions about their lifestyle, in particular, their diet.

milking and being killed to feed me.

Unlike most people living on the Rock, I grew up in the countryside surrounded by farms. I remember being with my uncle as he selected which one of his diary cows he 34

It took me a good few years to realise what is wrong with that - animals are sentient beings. This came about 70% of when I rescued my dog agricultural Molly and I saw that by land is used not eating Molly – like for livestock some countries do - but and livestock happily eating a cow, a covers 45% pig, a kangaroo, a rabbit of the earth’s etc, I was being specietotal land. sist. On this realisation, I went vegetarian and on the realisation as to how cruel the dairy industry is, I adopted a plant-based diet.

What is World Meat Free Day?

The fact is, if people continue to eat meat, our already strained planet, will deteriorate further and “there will not be enough water available to produce food for the expected 9 billion population in 2050,” Malin Falkenmark and colleagues at the GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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Stockholm International Water Institute reported.

Roughly, 70% of agricultural land is used for livestock and, excluding ice regions, livestock covers 45% of the earth’s total land!

Greenhouse emission caused by livestock farming is 5% higher than the combined exhaust from all transportation across all sectors.

18% of global greenhouse emission is caused by livestock farming, without taking into account the transport of livestock or fertilisers used; it is 5% more than the combined exhaust from all transportation across all sectors. Because of our industries like bunkering, Gibraltar already has a high carbon footprint. Reducing the amount of meat eaten on the Rock will in turn reduce our carbon footprint. Livestock and their by-products account for at least 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

If I told you I left a normal light bulb on 24 hours a day for 50 days, you would look at me like I wasted electricity and you would know it’s bad for the environment.

As shocking as it may seem, the amount of CO2 that lightbulb produces is the same as what the production of one joint of beef creates.

These are facts. They are scary and they are our doing but we can undo them.

“The campaign is about awareness, inspiration and options,” said Jessica Leaper, founder of the Conscious Eating initiative.

Before, you think that the organisers are trying to scaremonger you into all becoming vegetarian or vegan, they aren’t. They are asking you to give going meatfree a go, just “to show how easy it can be, so that you eat less meat throughout the year.”

Thanks to their hard work, some of our local restaurants and establishments are supporting the day. They will do this by actively prompting their diners to choose meat-free meals that day and possibly everyday as more and more restaurants offer meat-free options. Others will display table-talkers created by Conscience Eating aimed at raising awareness and inspiring people to make the transition from eating meat at every meal to creating or eating meat-free meals at least once a week.

Meat Free Day in Gibraltar Gibraltarians traditionally love their meat products, be it the jamon at Christmas, pinchitos on the BBQ or rotisserie chicken from a fast food outlet. In a place like Gibraltar, can people change their eating habits?

Conscience Eating is a fantastic initiative team, comprising of representatives from the AWCP, the GHA, and Thinking Green. They are bringing the message to all on the Rock that eating consciously is important for the environment.

Two days before No Meat Day is Calentita, Gibraltar’s biggest food festival and street party, where a tasty prelude to Meat Free Day is available to you. Conscience Eating will be running a stall where you can try all-vegan food. The stall will have many meat substitute options.

At Calentita, Basically, “non-meat, that looks Conscience and tastes like meat.” They want Eating will be to tempt meat eaters into trying running a stall something new, different and, of where you can try course, tasty. In addition, all the all-vegan food. crockery and cutlery used will

Can we really complain about the pollution from the nearby refinery in Spain, if we are all contributing to pollution via our diet?

(For the record, I am against the refinery pollution too.) We feel strongly about the dark smoke coming out of those chimneys because it’s right there, in our face. Animal agriculture is hidden.

The organisers of the international day state by 2050, the projected greenhouse gas emissions will increase by 80%. That means you, your children, nieces, nephews etc will live in a world where more and more people will starve and die, because the demand for food cannot be met. It’s truly scary when we think about it and we need to remind ourselves that Earth is literally irreplaceable.

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Excuses such as they can’t afford to eat meat-free. Some people have this notion that eating meat-free is more expensive. I have yet to see a steak cost less than a can of chickpeas, even a posh brand chickpeas.

be environmentally friendly, non-plastic, completely biodegradable and reusable.

Excuses, excuses and fear

Meat is cheap at times, but it does not mean that’s a good thing. It’s cheap due to the industrialisation of meat products with hormones used to make animals grow faster and therefore the turnover of animal production greater. In addition, as “fast food” or products such as those that contain reconstituted chicken are cheap to produce.

Most non-meat eaters know that the biggest obstacle of World Meat Free Day Jessica said that Conscience Eating is not is convincing people they can actually go a just about the food we eat but also the whole day without meat. packaging it comes in and the over-use of plastic dis“The Conscious posables; how far it has travExcuses such as ‘I don’t have the time’.

Many meat eaters have visions of Eating initiative elled to get to your plate and aims to encourage vegans and vegetarians as people Let’s face it, we are all becoming lazier in how it has been processed the kitchen, what with hectic work, social who just eat lettuce and tomato people to take can all affect the environall day. This is very bizarre because and family lives, more and more ready responsibility for ‘a veggie’ simply doesn’t eat meat, ment and your health. meals are creeping in. Well, non-meat eattheir individual ers can be just as lazy as meat eaters and yet meat eaters eat more than choices...” have a liking for junk food. Thankfully, the meat with lettuce and tomato, so ‘The Conscious Eating initiasupermarkets in Gibraltar are constantly how does this vision come about? tive aims to encourage peoexpanding their meat-free range, satisfying ple to take responsibility for their individual our taste buds and working into our busy choices because every individual choice Fear of trying something that is not part of lifestyles. It is just as easy to pop into Morultimately does matter. The choice to eat their everyday norm can be overwhelming risons and pick up products from Quorn meat at a meal can have a bigger impact for some. Fear that they will lack protein and Cauldron, two corporate supporters of than people might realise, not just for their - they won’t any more than they would if World Meat Free Day, Linda McCaown health but for the environment and they didn’t eat a balanced rtney’s and Fry’s. the future of the planet’. The Government diet already. Fear that they “The choice endorsed initiative has evolved from the will lack option - they won’t to eat meat at a ‘Cut Meat, Not Trees’ Campaign to encomI do love the Morrisons own label any more than a fussy meat meal can have pass all aspects of the food we eat, such as eater lacks. To satisfy those ‘meat-free’ products. In fact, many a bigger impact packaging and transportation. of their own range products are out there who think you than people also vegan. Vegan means no eggs, can’t get everything you might realise...” animal products or secretions like need from a meat-free diet, Gibraltar is really taking Meat Free Day milk. These are delicious and I know I will give you that, you seriously, and it could easily be the first a meat eater or two who will happily forgo can’t. But, it’s not as many things as you country in the world who embraces the their beef burger for a vegetable burger think it is, there is only one, B12 and you day in its entirety - just another feather in from this range. can take supplements for that. the global hat for the Rock.

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environment Eroski also stock a range from Quorn, Caldron and Linda McCarthy. In addition, they have products from well-known UK brand, Good Life. Good Life’s Cashew and Parsnip burger is so tasty, you will never need to force-feed it to anyone, I know this because I was a self-proclaimed hater of parsnip. Eroski is also a supplier of Waitrose foods, between the two brands they also have their own range of meatfree products, both in the frozen and fresh meal sections. Local small supermarket Ramsons has an extensive range of meatfree products, including a large variety of Fry’s Meat Free range.

Here’s a tasty bonus tip, a tip that will leave your taste buds dancing and craving more: dairy-free ice-cream! Both Morrisons and Eroski stock it. It’s delicious, the variety of flavours is vast and it’s cruelty-free. With summer The coming, these are truly a mustsupermarkets have in the freezer. in Gibraltar

Give Meat Free Day a go, it’s only one day

•

Don’t tell them it has no meat in it, just like you didn’t tell them that pasta had no garlic or other food they “hate” in it.

are constantly Going meat-free is so easy if you just want to swap the usual frozen Another one is cheese. expanding beef burger or pork sausages to Cheese, cheese, cheese, from • Tell them and explain why you are their meata vegetable burger, quorn or tofu a time when we are toddlers, cooking like that for the night and why free range... burger and sausages. However, if to school lunches, cubicle picit is important, stressing that you are you are used to cooking your meals nics – what I call eating at your trying to ensure the air they breathe and not relying on ready meals or frozen work desk - cheese has featured heavily in and the environment they will grow products, the challenge of creating a meatour diets. As many people use the excuse old in is less damaged than it will be if free dinner may feel a bit more daunting. of ‘I can’t live without cheese’ as a reason the world continues to eat meat daily. not to go plant-based, as people use the excuse not to eat meat. Stop, you don’t Trust me, if you can cook meat, you can • Tell them you will turn off wi-fi and have to panic and think your cheese filled create a meal without it. The only thing they can cook their own meal if they days are over, there is such a thing as that limits you is your do not want to eat yours.

I honestly vegan cheese. imagination and reluctance to try. If you are the “chef” think World Meat Free Day may just be one in your household and fear Violife is a great brand, they do parmesan, Gibraltar is day a year, but there is no human alive you may have some resischeddar, tomato and basil flavour, herb more like that cannot go without meat for a lot tance from family memflavour, mozzarella, pizza, you name it, Germany longer. Research, learn and make a they pretty much have vegan cheesed it. In bers, I suggest a couple of than Spain in pledge to try Conscience Eating today. things. addition, it is so simple to make your own this regard. homemade cheeses; all you really need is a bowl to soak nuts in overnight, a blender, patience and imagination when it comes to creating your own flavours.

Last year saw Germany increase the number of plant-based products by 18%, the UK by 11% but neighbouring Spain only increased the number by 3%. I honestly think Gibraltar is more like Germany than Spain in this regard.

Plant protein

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environment words | Lewis Stagnetto, The Nautilus Project

UNSEEN DANGERS Habitat restoration vs habitat creation

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ronmental context before one can decide hese days we have all become impacts that these actions can have. First accustomed to headlines about though, it’s important to define a few how effective the strategy may be. If the habitat destruction and species things. loss of habitat is due to conditions which extinction. The endangered spestill exist then obviously, any restoration effort is likely to end in failure. In fact, it is cies list grows annually as they Habitat restoration is the process As a because of these environmental conditions suffer the effects of increased by which an ecosystem that still excompetition for resources species, we ists, but might be verging on extinc- that the ecosystem has moved on to the accompanied by loss of habitat new stable state even though a lack of continue to be tion, is aided through to recovery. and, almost universally, there is species diversity has been the cost. the root cause By contrast, habitat creation is the one common factor; humans. of most of the transplanting of a new ecosystem Globally, our species hit around A good example of this in Gibraltar has environmental over an existing one. The key here 7.4 billion in 2015 with an inis that just because it looks like been the seagrass beds which were found problems on crease to 9.2 billion by 2040. In nothing is there doesn’t throughout the bay. These seaour planet context, the 1900 had around mean that is necessarily grasses were fertile fish nurseries These today...

1.65 billion people globally. and home to our two species of sea the case. In the marine seagrasses horses, Hippocampus hippocampus environment, sandy were fertile (the short snouted seahorse) and As a species, we continue to be the root shores often look like the least fish nurseries cause of most of the environmental probdiverse as we search for life Hippocampus guttulatus (the long and home whilst snorkelling. The truth, snouted seahorse). The latter is very lems on our planet today and in response, to our two rare in our waters and in no small there has been a growing community of however, is that the majority species of sea part due to the destruction of our of life is within the sediments ‘green’ ambassadors who try and dampen horses... seagrasses. What has caused it? our impacts. and we just don’t see it.

As laudable as these acts are, there are often some unspoken truths about the 38

When implementing habitat restoration one needs to carefully consider the envi-

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harbour for sail ships of all kinds. Whilst in port, these ships have dropped anchors which have slowly ripped up the seagrass beds below. At first, the levels of damage was sustainable through natural growth but then, things changed.

done by Clive Crisp at the Department for Heritage and Climate Change. Mr Crisp has identified the exact species we have locally, Cymodecea nodosa (little Neptune grass), and attempting to re-seed the beds with some success. This is a great local example of an attempt at habiGibraltar has always had tat restoration.

has changed. Now the grazers which feed on the grass seeds rather than algae are dominating. Not only has that, but the water flow in the area slowed due to the sea grass presence. This slowing of water has also allowed Scyphozoans like the Mauve jellyfish to establish polyps in the area. As we have altered the fish feeding dynamic towards the grasses, the jellyfish numbers are quickly on the rise.

The industrial revolution added a new complication, steam a strong naval ships; some of which are history and has Habitat creation, on the other hand still resting on our sea bed is a very dangerous game indeed. always been a today in the form of the SS If I could indulge you in a thought Within another five years, grasses are now natural harbour experiment; imagine for a moment Rosslyn and the SS Excellent. constantly washing up on the sea shore for sail ships of that instead of the appropriate These ships were larger and and the jelly fish are almost permanently all kinds. required a more substantial locations identified by Mr Crisp, locked up close to the beaches due to the anchor to keep them in place. where there have historically been seagrasses blocking their passage away This had the knock on effect of ripping seagrasses, the re-seeding is done on the from it. You see where this is going. up a larger area of the seagrass beds each east side of the Rock with another species time. Further, the volume of ships also inof grass which is known to be hardier and The issue is not that my example is what is creased as extended ranges made it easier faster growing. At first, due to lack of comgoing to happen, but rather, that creating a for them to arrive from further afield. petition, the grass takes root and begins new ecosystem, by adding invasive species to grow, successfully establishing itself or native species to areas where they don’t off our beaches. The first obvious issue is Steam gave way to oil and now we have belong, can have catastrophic cascading that we have now introduced an invasive a pollutant to the environment which has effects on the rest of the ecosystem and species to our marine ecosystem. At this never been there. The anchor drags comshould be avoided at all costs. stage however, the benefits bined with the oil pollution would have outweigh the cons, for now. had a pronounced effect on the seagrass In the end, it is important that one Steam gave beds, slowing down the growth rate in is not tempted to do what they way to oil and the exposed areas. Further, oil in the Within a decade, the new now we have a think is right but rather do the sediments would lower the viability of the species has firmly established pollutant to the right thing with respect to enviseagrasses in that area. Over time, the oil itself in the environment ronmental issues. Preventing the environment would have built up in the sediments and covering almost the full extent prime causes of habitat destrucwhich has never tion is almost always better than the seagrass beds would have retreated, of the eastern coastline. The been there. taking the seahorses with them. beds are acting as nurseries to find substitute species to fill a and fish numbers are increasing niche. Otherwise, the next ecoand the project is hailed as a success. But, Today, we have very few seagrasses left; logical disaster news story you read about the proportion of fish species in that area albeit for some restoration work being might well be of our own making; again!

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life words | Richard Cartwright

CALLING GIBSAMS Samaritans in Gibraltar

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John Montegriffo, a social worker drug These things never happen in deciding something needs to be done Gibraltar,” is the oft uttered remark and setting up a Samaritans (Befrienders rehabilitation officer and Vivienne Levene stated by many of us on the Rock Gibraltar) group needed to be formed. an ex-Samaritan counsellor, I was elected when something terrible occurs in the Always eager to assist in matters of this Chairman, and our Governor, Lt General Edward Davis has agreed to be our Patron.” world ‘outside’... But ‘these kind, Dr Rene Beguelin joined Marie things’ do happen here and Lou in getting things going, “I con“I began that’s why more and more tacted Befrienders World Wide, the The work began in earnest about two and to wonder organisations, associations, umbrella organisation to which the a half months ago. Two trainers came out whether any pressure groups and caring UK Samaritans belong and Rene and to Gib to train our trainers, one of them is or all of those individuals come together to I met them in London. They were exGibraltarian Maggie Galliano who is a ‘Sam’ suicides could tremely helpful in assisting us set the do whatever they can to ease in London. They will be returning for more have been the pain of many persons or ball rolling here on the Rock training.” An open ‘Information prevented.” even help prevent the worst... and establish a Befrienders day’ was held last month to reThe Gib Gibraltar which will opercruit volunteers for the service “ Sam Team is ate by the name of Gibraltar “In the last twelve months, there has been always looking Samaritans.” Marie Lou tells me, a marked increase in suicides in Gibraltar, for volunteers Marie Lou informs me the Gib “We have to learn from their exyes, here on the Rock. Who would have Sam Team is always looking for willing to be perience and they are on hand to thought that could happen in our tiny, volunteers willing to be trained trained for this for this very sensitive line of help in whichever way they can. close knit, comfortable community.” Marie very sensitive work. “Absolutely essential Lou Guerrero reveals. “I began to wonder line of work. whether any or all of those suicides could We then invited relevant and anyone can be a Sam. We have been prevented.” people to join Rene and myself need individuals with an abiliin forming the board of Trustees; Peter ty to listen; listening to callers patiently Montegriffo, a lawyer, Ian Colliinson, an on the phone, never advising, or telling Marie Lou is a get-up-and-go individuaccountant, Ian Howes, an ex-policeman, them where they went wrong or judging al who leaves no stone unturned when 40

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life them. It’s dealing with people’s emotions and that requires special training which is being undertaken by these Befrienders trainers coming out to Gib who will deliver a programme tailored for Gibraltar. The chosen volunteers need to get through ten modules in order to qualify and be able to communicate correctly with someone on the other end of a telephone line or mobile who is distressed or even agitated for any number of reasons.” “There are also other ways of getting involved with Team Sam by helping with fundraising and assisting by other means,” Marie Lou stresses.

It’s dealing

‘Gibraltar Sams’ are not just there with people’s for someone potentially feeling emotions and suicidal. They will listen to anyone that requires about whatever’s getting to them. special Young people are bullied in schools Marie Lou, Chair of Samaritans with Maggie Galliano, Director of Central London Samaritans who training... and nowadays, it may not end came to deliver the presentation, Minister Samantha Sacramento and members of Team Sam there. In today’s world, they’re cyber bullied. Adults too may be stressed at Marie Lou Guerrero has been a deterLondon by a vicar called Chad Varah, who work. Self-harm is another issue, gambling, mined woman throughout her life. First wanted to help people in distress who had marital problems, bereavement or life getas a school teacher, in sports committees, no one to turn to. The Samaritans have ting on top of you, for whatever cause, are one of Special Olympics instigator, leading spent six decades listening to individuall reasons to get in touch with a sensitive the Federation of Small Businesses (GFSB) als’ worries, becoming the world’s first someone who will listen and not judge or locally, in Europe and the world organtelephone support service. Today, there criticise. “And you see, we may say, ‘why isation which included many influential are hundreds of crisis helplines around don’t they talk to a family member or a positions; initiating many major organised the world with thousands of volunteers close friend?’ That doesn’t always work be- events on the Rock: Summer Nights, the attending to people’s concerns. ‘Gibraltar cause this individual probably won’t want Tercentenary anniversary and ‘Holding Samaritans,’ ‘Gibsams’ too, will soon be them to worry them about what’s going Hands’ events, bringing Young Enterprise ready to listen day or night. They will listen on in his or her mind and anyway, family initiative to the Rock, and always on the no matter how deep or difficult your issue and friends are too close. These individuals peripheries of local politics (but never may be and will not judge or criticise. need to talk to someone who’s trained to ‘taking the plunge’) although not so much Confidentiality is their business. listen and completely detached. Also, there these days, She is currently the are those who have no-one to turn to.”

Chair of the Citizens Advice Bureau Five suicides in not so many There will always be two volunteers manning the ‘Sams’ Freephone Helpline 116123 and a trainer/supervisor will also be on hand. Calls are always free, the caller’s number will be untraceable and the whole process will be completely anonymous and dealt with in complete confidence with the individual listened to for as long as it takes with no time limits. “Locally, the phones will be manned during the day, until midnight. The busiest times in other countries tend to be between 8pm and midnight, but I felt it would have to be on a 24-hour basis in order to offer a complete service so, for the present, the calls will be diverted through the small hours to our Australian colleagues who are operating during their daytime! They have kindly offered this service to us at no charge so we’re extremely grateful to them. As things stand, the plan is to be up and running by around September time this year.”

The Chairman tells me they’re in the process of contacting other relevant groups and organisations on the Rock which are relevant to the work undertaken by ‘Sams’ so as to work closely with them.

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and a member of the local St John’s Council! A persevering and unwavering individual who when deciding to get something off the ground more often than not succeeds, and now heads Samaritans on the Rock!

In the UK, it was more than 60 years ago when Samaritans was founded. It was started in 1953 in

There will always be two volunteers manning the ‘Sams’ Freephone Helpline 116123...

months rang alarm bells in Marie Lou Guerrero’s mind and that was enough... The Gibraltar Samaritans team led by her is bound to be a success by bringing comfort to those unfortunate beings in distress and needing help. For more info email: info@ gibsamaritans.gi.

HE the Governor, Patron of the Gibraltar Samaritans with some of the trustees and the 2 UK trainers taken on his visit during the training weekend 41

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life words | Peter Schirmer

STEELY RESOLVE of Alison MacMillan

F

lomatic ambience - and wondered aloud: rom the Rock’s reluctant days of gan-Thatcher years of UK-US harmony, to transposing EU Directives in the the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations ‘How do you get to work in the Foreign late ‘90s to the current complexities Alison was close to the action.

Office?’...And, delightedly, was told how to of Brexit, Foreign Office apply.

Alison diplomat and Jane-of-all-trades Petite, soft-spoken, but with the Alison Macmillan MVO has had ‘I always wanted to work for something sort of steely determination and studied and her finger on the politico-econo fear of occasional confrontation British, but preferably somewhere abroad,’ worked as a nomic pulse of Gibraltar. Several when necessary while at the same she explains. translator in times over the past decade she time charming some of the Rock’s Paris where has said ‘farewell’ to jurisdiction toughest legal minds - Alison is the After a year of vetting (and some basic she was of which she has been such a consummate diplomat. And though training), she was attached to the Law of fascinated by she describes the first of her many the Sea Conference team and from that, good friend - as Assistant Depthe diplomatic years in Gibraltar as ‘a uty Governor, Deputy Goverthanks to her command of French, trappings and baptism of fire’, her initial nor and even, last year, Acting was switched to the West African Alison’s ambience...

Governor, as well as in her most Foreign Office postings first overseas desk. But, bureaucrats like nothrecent role as the link between were equally influential ing better than to fit square pegs posting was No6 and Britain’s Brexit team. in shaping her approach - to into round holes, and, apparently, to Mexico - at people and their problems.

Britain’s Foreign & Commonwealth short notice And she has been in the wings as other Office is no exception, for Alison’s and although first overseas posting was to Mexmajor events and encounters have been Born of a Devon classroom she spoke no ico - at short notice and although played out on the world stage since she enthusiasm for the French Spanish. joined the Foreign Office in 1982. There she spoke no Spanish. language, Alison studied and have been moments of drama, of uninworked as a translator in Paris tended comedy... From the Contra rebels where, while a guest at a British Embassy There, as a foretaste of what were to be in war-torn Nicaragua, through the Reareception, she was fascinated by the dipseveral dramatic events she was to expe-

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life Gibraltar’s government, led by the recently-elected Peter Caruana was not only slow but reluctant to transpose EU Directives.

‘It was more difficult than the Foreign Office thought ... and I learnt a lot, not only about EU directives, but about the people and social dynamics of Gibraltar.

Fortunately, I met James Levy of Hassans and he organised a “round table” of the leading law firms - a “tracking group” which helped speed up the transposition of many Directives...’

Accompanying newly arrived Ambassador presenting credentials

But it was during one of her absences from Gibraltar while serving as Deputy Director of Protocol and Assistant Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps that her personal skills and tact bloomed - and prompted some of her most memorable memories as the job was in part as link between the Palace (the Lord Chamberlain’s Office) and the string of foreign embassies in London.

In this role, Alison organised the state visits rience, Alison escaped Part of her Embassy duties was to monof, and met some of the world’s foremost Alison the 1985 earthquake itor Julian’s project and, as their mutual figures - including the Pope, President escaped attraction grew ‘this was probably the in Mexico City in which Obama and the Emperor and Emthe 1985 more than 5,000 died. most audited overseas Britpress of Japan (her ‘most delightful’ earthquake in Alison came During a later posting ish project ever,’ she quips. couple). And, at the arrival of the US Mexico City to the Rock in President, she ‘stood in’ for the then to Nicaragua where the in which more Embassy re-opened October 1996 Foreign Secretary William Hague Other postings followed; there at the end of the than 5,000 died. and, now married, Alison to welcome Obama and his wife to to ‘a baptism civil war, she met huscame to the Rock in Octoof fire and the Britain. band Julian, an agronber 1996 to ‘a baptism of best training omist working on a UK-funded project to fire and the best training job The volcanic eruption in Iceland job you could address malnutrition in children. you could ever have.’ causing an ash cloud which threw

ever have.’

Accompanying newly arrived Ambassador to present credentials to Her Majesty The Queen ay Buckingham Palace

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life ‘The Pope was charm personified and as a Catholic, I felt particularly blessed - both in the literal and the spiritual sense, for he would hold your hand and mutter blessings.’

She also discovered that the Pope was an enthusiastic helicopter pilot. He asked whether he might fly the helicopter which was to take him from Wimbledon to Birmingham. ‘He sat up front and, instead of taking a direct line, decided to follow the course of the Thames for several miles to take in the views.’

A diplomatic reception in London

The highlight of her time as Assistant Marshal? During the ‘Sovereigns’ weekend’, during the HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, a dinner attended by the world’s kings, queens, emperors and princes was held.

One royal dropped out at the last minute and Alison was invited to take the empty seat at one of the ten tables.

petrol for the return journey to London, commercial air traffic out of kilter across She returned to Gibraltar in her final posthad decided to rectify their mistake,’ Northern Europe coincided with the Presing to the Rock as Deputy Governor and Alison explains. ‘But the American team ident’s visit to the UK - the arrangements then stayed on to liaise on Brexit. But the had no cash... and their credit cards for which Alison was responsiForeign Office cut the budget for that job, wouldn’t operate in the UK...’ [And ble, and every minute of which She ‘stood and at the end of May, Alison returned to I was left wondering to whom she had been planned. Obama’s sein’ for the the UK. curity team, loud and demandthen Foreign sent her expenses chit.] ing, was already in London, as Secretary Her work with the Diplomatic Corps were the cars of the Presidential That visit was a resounding success, to welcome earned her membership of the Royal Viccavalcade - including Obama’s as was the Pope’s - though ‘it nearly Obama and torian Order - one of the few awards for armour-plated limousine, nickdidn’t happen.’ For the budget was services still Her Majesty’s sole recognition his wife to named ‘The Big Beast’ - when limited and negotiations to bestow.

Britain. the volcano erupted. about the visit programme “The Pope were complicated by the was charm She is already missed. Surely, it strong positions of two monoliths But the US President was in Ireland, and is time for her services to Gibralpersonified the Vatican security staff’ and their fears of delayed flights prompted the tar to be similarly recognised. and as a UK counterparts in the Palace. arrival being put forward twelve hours Both thought they should have the Catholic, I felt Come on Fabian, how about the ahead of the planned schedule. He would Freedom of The City, or somefinal say,’ she explains. ‘It offered land at Stansted in a couple of hours but particularly thing like that? ’unique opportunity to test one’s the Foreign Secretary and the rest of the original reception entourage were unavailable due to the change of timing. A special moment in the life of unflappable Alison MacMillan, who stepped in to meet and greet the President.

negotiating and diplomacy skills.’

blessed...”

Papal Visit to the United Kingdom, September 2010 Greeting the Pope on Arrival

But the tense arrival had its ludicrous moments, and Alison still chuckles as she recalls them.

En route to Stansted Airport, the hastily assembled convoy headed by the Big Beast, made an unplanned stop at a petrol station on the M11 where the G-men - in identical suits and the dark glasses that TV and cinema buffs will recognise as part of any FBI package - leapt out of their cars and, guns drawn, deployed around the fleet. The Brits were baffled - a terror plot uncovered? A hidden bomb?

‘No. They weren’t expecting Obama until the following day, so they hadn’t topped up their tanks... and, without enough GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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life words | Mike Brufal

CULTURAL RESEARCH Professor Dr Andrew Canessa

P

but to learn Arabic since, without it, there rofessor Andrew Canessa, 51, lives Economics but later transferred to Anthrowas no possibility of communicating with in Colchester with his wife, Laura pology after taking an introductory course Pountney. Together, they have in his first year. He says he never looked people. His local name was Abu Diggin, seven children. Andrew back and has very much enjoyed the bearded one, because most men didn’t have facial hair although keenly wanted to spent the first years of his life in working as an anthropologist his This moving have one as stipulated in the Koran. He Catalan Bay of which he has very entire professional life. resulted in rented a standard round grass gotía hut on fond memories, particularly of Andrew going buying fresh fish and swimming the edge of the village with water source However, Andrew didn’t go to 7 primary in the sea before going to school. a stand pipe at the bottom of the road straight into an anthropology schools in 4 which was shared with neighbours. The His father, Eric, who worked as a career because after leaving the countries in 8 LSE, he worked at a boys’ school advantage of this location is that it was civil engineer in the City Counconsecutive near the water hole so migratcil, decided to leave Gibraltar in Sudan as an English years... ing Kabbabish, Umbororo and for Holland in 1975, taking his teacher. He later added He never family with him, and two years Baggara, among others, were French to his duties since looked back regular visitors. Among his most later, the family moved to Washington D.C. there was no one else who could and has very where he worked for the World Bank and do it despite the fact that he only much enjoyed cherished memories is learning how to ride a camel with the his mother (née Laura Xerri) worked as a had an O level in French and the working as an Kabbabish who are legendary Spanish teacher. This moving resulted in text book was in Arabic/French. He anthropologist camel herders. There was not Andrew going to seven primary schools in counts this as one of his greatest his entire four countries in eight consecutive years, a great variety of food and his achievements in life. He was the professional mother’s food parcels were ending up as a boarder in St. George’s only European within hundreds of life. looked forward to. Each parcel College, Weybridge. These were not happy miles and so initially was someand letter took five weeks to years but on leaving school, and after a thing of a curiosity. He responded arrive. He cooked for himself but went stint on a kibbutz in Israel, he went to by growing a long beard and wearing local study economics at the London School of to market each day for fresh coffee with djellabas and a turban. He had no choice 46

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life the beans being roasted in front of him.

He also enjoyed the freshly made dough balls. Breakfast, always ful beans and fried onions, the main meal of the day, would be served at the school.

During the school holidays, he took advantage to go on solo trips round Sudan.

At Christmas, he went to the Nuba Hills, located in South Kordofan which is home to the Nuba people, famous for their wrestling. Andrew was keen to visit and he had to bluff his way through various police posts as he did not have the requisite papers. There were already tensions in the Nuba hills and today very few Nuba live there, having fallen victim to a genocidal civil war. The second vacation (occasioned by a strike) was spent near the Ethiopian border where he suffered the misfortune of being arrested as a spy.

He was the This was most unpleasant and he was only European roughed up a little but he eventually within persuaded his interrogators that he rehundreds of ally was just a school teacher. Explanamiles and so tion accepted, the policeman stopped initially was the next car and instructed the driver something of to take Andrew to his next stop.

His final trip was to Darfur in the western Sudan. His village was on the railway line with a timetable which had not been altered since the British left in 1955. The time table said that the train left on Tuesday afternoon at two thirty, hours passed and still no train; it finally arrived two days late. Andrew tried to buy a ticket and reserve a seat but was told this was not possible as everything was booked. He bought a third class ticket which, in effect, meant the roof and that is how he travelled for the four days of the journey. This was less dangerous than one might think: the train was so slow it was overtaken by camels. At one point, the train ran out of charcoal but eventually the destination was reached and he trekked along the beautiful Jebel Mara mountain range where, among other things, he was harassed by baboons. To this day he

Crossing the Jacha Jawira on the way from Wila Kjarka, Bolivia

doesn’t like baboons. After sun was setting. Everybody laughed at the two weeks of trekking, he sight of this European coming out of the a curiosity. needed to get onto the desert hardly able to walk. To make matters camel train to a local market worse, the only hotel in Nyala when he from where he could get a lorry to the finally arrived the next morning was full so regional capital, Nyala. One foot played he spent the night in the local jail, mostly up and became badly infected playing cards with the officers. which made walking painful His local and difficult and he missed the On his return to the UK, he startname was camel train to Kadugli. There ed his PhD in Anthropology which Abu Diggin, was no alternative but to walk involved two and a half high years the bearded there and arrive in time before in an Aymara speaking community one, because the lorries left in the evening. most men He set off at first light with a Working with an Andean footplough didn’t have full water bottle and a couple Wila Kjraka, 2011 facial hair... of oranges and during the entire day only came across two people who indicated his destination, Kadugli, in the distance. Oranges eaten and water bottle emptied, he continued but discovered that the trees they were pointing at were just that – trees. He was ultimately obliged to dig into a dried river bed to find water but made it just as the Family camping trip on the Loire

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life

Flooded jeep failed to cross the river Bolivia 1995

in Bolivia. There was no road and mail arrived once a week at the market town, several hours’ walk away. Andrew had to learn the Aymara language (much harder than Arabic) but the effort was worth it and he was eventually able to conduct all his research in the language.

Getting about in the rainy season, highland Bolivia, 1994

the fact that he didn’t play but it For most of the time there, he simply did was an opportunity that couldn’t be what everyone else did, an anthropological missed. At 3,000 metres running technique called ‘participant observation’. up and down in hiking boots was In his case it meant a lot of agricultural no easy feat but as luck would labour. The hardest thing to learn was how have it, the ball hit his boot and he to plough a field with oxen and people scored a goal, quite by coincidence. thought it was the funniest thing at first Celebrations followed and he but he finally got the hang of it and it is the simply stayed, eventually moving agricultural task he enjoys most. He also in with Remigio Patty and Agustina spent a lot of time with the local shaman, Alanoca and their family. They all Teodosio, who had a great reputation for slept in one large being a healer and is famous for making room with two beds: it rain. When he first arrived in Wila He spent two parents, Remigio’s Kjarka, people mostly ate potatoes and the night in mother, five children, and maize and many people went to bed the local jail, an anthropologist. There hungry. With a new irrigation ditch and mostly playing a road, people have diversified their was not much in the way of privacy but a good posi- cards with the crops and have easier access to market officers. tion to observe human life. and are much happier and healthier.

The second vacation was spent near the Ethiopian border where he suffered the misfortune of being arrested as a spy.

He came across the village on his second attempt to find a field site. On the first occasion, he got lost in the jungle for several days until he found his way out by heading down hill. A stream becomes a river and eventually, it takes you to some kind of community. On the second trip, he arrived at Wila Kjarka and was asked if he would play in a football match the next day. He agreed, despite

Agustina Alanoca in her kitchen Wila Kjarka, Bolivia

48

Now, he is Professor at the University of Essex and much of his time is spent teaching, working on his research projects (until recently, he travelled to Bolivia every year), the writing of academic articles, and four books. The past few years has seen him concentrating on his idea to compile an oral history of Gibraltar. He feels the conception of Gibraltarians in the United Kingdom is superficial and he wanted to examine the range and depth of being a Gibraltarian. He received a grant from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for ‘Bordering on Britishness: an Oral History of Gibraltar in the 20th Century’, with the backing of The Gibraltar Government. Jennifer Ballantine was seconded from the Gibraltar Government to act as project partner and coordinate the locally recruited research associates. There are several articles in the pipeline and the first book is expected in January 2018.

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life The standard method of researching history is to delve into the archives. Oral history involves talking to people and getting their views on their lives and memory of the past. This is a more democratic way of researching history. Gibraltar is fortunate in having extensive archives with most of the material written in English by Colonial officials. This project was designed to enable those interviewed to speak in whichever language was the most comfortable. So there are interviews in English, Spanish, Llanito and Arabic. Among other things, the project traces how Gibraltar went from an overwhelmingly Spanish speaking community with strong kinship and other ties with the Campo to one which is increasingly English speaking and where there are profound economic, political, and cultural differences with Spanish neighbours. People forget today that within living memory, Gibraltar and La Línea effectiveProfessorial Inaugural Lecture University of Essex, October 2014 ly functioned as a single town.

He got lost A big part of the project is in the jungle recovering these memories and ical chaos, repression and violence time. Britishness is changing in Britain so it for several recording them for posterity. of 19th and 20th century Spain. In will inevitably change in Gibraltar as well. days until The project also shows how the many ways, these two pillars are the The issue is whether Gibraltar will cleave he found border did more than simply framework of Gibraltarians’ British closer to the UK, which appears likely at his way out divide people; it created social identity: it’s what makes us different the moment, or redevelop the kinds of by heading and cultural differences which from Spanish people and what conconnections it had with the Campo in down hill. were simply not there before or, nects us to the UK. Brexit threatens decades past. Only time will tell. at least, not as markedly so. to change this if it means the UK will no longer be able to lobby “The research has demonstrated Brexit poses some important challenges to for Gibraltar’s interests against People Gibraltarians’ extraordinary ability Gibraltar. The research shows that up until Spain from within the EU and it to reinvent themselves economiforget today now, Gibraltar has always been dependent is also unable to secure Gibralcally and socially so Gibraltarians that within on the United Kingdom Government for tar’s economic future for the living memory, may be able to do so again and two things: economic and political secusame reason. This will undoubtmeet the economic and political Gibraltar rity. The economic differential between edly mean that the relationship challenges of Brexit. The future of and La Línea Gibraltar and the Campo – a difference between Gibraltar and the UK Gibraltar and its people’s identity effectively that has existed since at least the Napowill change even though it might is, however, likely to look very functioned as different indeed”. leonic Wars – is a big part of what makes look as strong as ever today. a single town.

Gibraltar what it is. In addition, the border After all, there may not even be has protected Gibraltarians from the polita United Kingdom in a few years’ Ploughing, Wila Kjarka, Bolivia

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The entire community working on a new irrigation ditch, Wila Kjarka, Bolivia

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education words | Angela Almeida photos | Kusuma Trust and Fire Tech Camp

ROBOTS ARE HERE How to fly a UFO...

F

ire Tech Camp run camps in the UK to encourage and inspire young ones to coding and programming and thanks to the Kusuma Trust Gibraltar, they are now here, in Gib!

opportunity to take part in this workshop through a week in May. That’s over 400 students. Oliver Cox, 13, from Bayside school said; “I learnt loads that I never knew before and gained insight The into coding. It will help us make pilot was a robots do stuff for us. I, for example, would like to improve resounding techonology of car engines and I success with think coding will make it easier.” glowing

The students were asked to write their name in joined-up handwriting in black pen, they then were taught to program the Ozobot to follow their name. By the end of the class, they could create colour-coded commands to make the robot perform tasks. Outclassed by a group of sevenyear-olds!

This is the second year Fire Tech Camp have visited Gibraltar to work with young people. Last year, a pilot scheme was orgaAs a self-confessed technophobe, it has been incredible to watch pupils of such a nized with the help of the Defeedback from partment of Education to test the young age engaged in the ‘art’ of codteachers and Robots are roaming free workshops to see if it was someing and programming. It’s hard to not be students alike. During the one hour session, Fire incredibly jealous that there isn’t an adult thing which could be delivered to version. a large cohort of students. The Tech Camp deliver pilot was a resounding success with glowhands on workshops teachFire Tech ing feedback from teachers and students ing the young pupils how to Mr Devincenz-Clemens, Teacher at Camp deliver Loreto Convent, said; “The sessions alike, with one pupil enthusiastically stating use Ozobots. What the heck hands on “I love it so much, I don’t want to go” when are Ozobots, I hear anyone were delivered at a good pace, with asked if they enjoyed the session. workshops over the age of 20 cry? relevant knowledge for the pupils Ozobots are small toy robots teaching the to understand.” He commented that Catching students when they are young, which present an innovative young pupils these sessions complimented the work this year’s workshops have been aimed at way to teach coding and already being done in classrooms in an how to use engaging and interesting manner for Year 3 so seven-eight-year-olds. Incredibly, programming. They are, quite Ozobots. students. every Year 3 student in Gibraltar had an frankly, amazing.

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education Mr Devincenz-Clemens is one of 20 teachers who will also be attending an in-service day with the Fire Tech Camp professionals. The Department of Education, who have been integral in the success of this initiative, have kindly allowed staff to take the morning to spend time with Fire Tech Camp and chief organiser Angela Brennan.

Angela develops and designs ICT curriculum and training to schools, and teachers in the UK. She has delivered Arduino workshop at Facebook HQ in London and is also known for her work with Barclays Digital Eagles campaign.

“Learning

Darren Grech Director of how to program Education explained that; is yet another “Computer Programming is absolutely just another language. We necessary skill, are already supporting the as important as development of Spanish and, striving to be indeed, other languages at a bilingual.” very early age throughout our schools and, moreover, in the recently launched language school. Learnstudents can get using the kits and a prize sessions were not only given a twoing how to program is yet another absohour workshop but each participant was will be given to the best invention. lutely necessary skill, as important as strivallowed to keep the kits given to them ing to be bilingual. The Fire Tech initiative, at Kusuma Trusts expense. Joey Garcia, Angela reported the girls “took ownership therefore, fits perfectly with our developDirector of the Kusuma Trust Gibralof the project. There was high energy in ment plan over five years.” He added; “We tar, said that further learning out of the the room and it was great to see the stuare very grateful to the Kusuma Trust for classroom was essential for “the next dents working together.” She went on to once again organising and financing these Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates to develop”. explain that after having completed some very worthwhile educational projects.

The kits given to students can of the tasks set by the Fire Tech Education is all about shaping the minds be used to get UFO’s flying Camp team the students “began to “Students of the citizens of tomorrow, and Kusuma and sensing temperature light prototype their own ideas, which began to clearly buys into this. The buzz generated and motion, and the LittleBits shows how creative and technically prototype and photos of smiling children certainly tell Gizmos and Gadgets can be capable they are. It was great to see.” their own the story of a resounding success.” used for students to create ideas, which Coding, teching and programming their own inventions using snappable electronics. Each kit shows how are essential for our young to learn Sending rockets to space is worth £200 and the students creative and and develop in the new technical age are allowed to keep them. Fire Not quite, but almost. The team of twelve but not only that, it’s also incredibly technically from Fire Tech Camp has also been in Tech Camp and Kusuma will be fun! Wouldn’t you love to know how capable Westside, Bayside and Prior Park after running a competition in later to fly a UFO just from creating a bit they are.” school. The pupils who attended these weeks to see how creative the of code?

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Blepharoplasty: for younger looking eyes Are you bothered by droopy upper eye lids or bags under your eyes?

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IT’S A KINDA MAGICK!

scene

words | Elena Scialtiel

Urban fantasy best sellers

H

year old daughter. Lee says: “We devise Lee explains how the alternative spelling of the all-important word ‘magic’ comes together the plot and the characterisation, from Aleister Crowley, the occultist who then I write for hours on end up to codified in 1904 the religion of seven thousand words per day, Lee and which virtually allows me to Thelema based on the work of Steph work complete one book in less than previous philosophers like monk François Rabelais and Hellfire Club a fortnight, if the inspiration is around the founder Sir Francis Dashwood. Lee right. Stephanie reviews and clock to adds: “Crowley would spell magic publish their proofreads what I write day by with a ‘k’ in his writings to mark a urban fantasy day and suggests amendments to the storyline and the style of firm difference between stage novels to a narrative. Not all material passes magic performed by tricksters “A lot of thousandand illusionists, and the occult her test: if it doesn’t, we scrap it After the release of Magick urban fantasy magick he claimed to be able strong and start from scratch, no matter Reborn in January, the first books feature to perform. In marketing terms, fanship... how tight the deadline is.” of their Blood and Magick the word a lot of urban fantasy books series, which rocketed to ‘magic’, so the feature the word ‘magic’ in their titles, Amazon best-seller status Under the penname Katerina Martinez so the alternative spelling helps us within a week, the challenge (“We liked the ring of it, plus my middle alternative continued with Demon’s name is Katherine” Stephanie explains, spelling helps stand out from the crowd.” to which she juxtaposed a widespread Kiss in February, Mr. Bear in us stand out March, Pixi Poison in April Spanish surname), the Dignam duo Prolific authors Lee and Steph work from the conjures up in your mind the adventures and The Dead Wolves in May, around the clock to publish their urban crowd.” the first in a series of what fantasy novels to a thousand-strong of young writer and powerful good witch they describe as a ‘brandfanship, and have actually made it their Madison in the magical city of New new series of dark urban fantasy thrillers’.

Orleans, where she has recently moved fulltime job, besides caring for their sixusband-and-wife writing team Lee and Stephanie Dignam made two ambitious New Year’s resolutions: to publish one novel each and every month in 2017, and to become ‘USA Today’ bestselling authors - a dream soon made reality when their vampires-versus-werewolves novella ‘Pixi Poison’ ranked #119 as part of the international multi-author boxed set Legends of the Damned.

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literature

the natural landscape, to provide ‘that or animistic rituals widely believed to be to escape her past, only to find herself extra level of authenticity’ in practised in the US Deep South region entangled in the mysteries that has earned a reputation in pop their fantasy fiction’s future of a Victorian mansion with a “Not all culture for alternative takes on mainstream mind of its own situated in the publications. material passes Christianity. For this reason, they picked alluring French Quarter where her test: if it New Orleans as setting, black magic is as much as The rest of their doesn’t, we scrap because it is immediately home as the budding romance research relies on No matter it and start from acknowledgeable as an ideal with dark and handsome Remy, Google, Google how dark the scratch, no matter Maps and on popular while equally dark forces are dark forces burst location for an intense plot in how tight the which, no matter how dark the awakened by her loitering. literary or cinematic out to be, light, deadline is.” dark forces burst out to be, fiction set in New colour, sound light, colour, sound and aromas Orleans. They insist The authors visited New and aromas will always come through that incantations described in Orleans recently to experience firstwill always triumphantly at the end. their books are mostly, if not hand its topography, folklore, cuisine come through and climate, flora and fauna, in order to entirely, fictitious and don’t triumphantly at Contrariwise, it is wholly realistically describe smells and flavours aim at realistically reflecting or describing the actual voodoo imaginary the location of their around the city, and the true colours of the end.

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literature The lich, conventionally described in horror literature as cadaverous, is here portrayed as an attractive and lively woman instead, who projects the positive image of modern independence, without bordering into harridan, as she actually makes time to find romance between soul-catching jobs.

“70% of fantasy literature readership is female and we keep that in mind when we outline our synopses, however, we don’t make romance the centre of the story, hence our novels cannot be pigeonholed as fantasy romance,” Stephanie says. Plots bank on superpowers acquired in various ways, whether genetically, randomly or by heightened consciousness, and on supernatural creatures that have populated legend and urban myth for centuries. “We focus mainly on adventure and thriller, but we don’t disdain a bit of intimacy, since our target circulation is virtually anyone willing to sit through 200-300 pages.”

The Dark Siren pitch enthrals potential readers of this ‘otherworldly series starter’ with the promise of ‘fast-paced suspense’ detailed map of Ashwood on and ‘conflict-ridden romance’ in the person which he visualised his heroine’s of Alice’s old flame, closely followed by every move. intriguing titles like The Void Weaver, in which Alice is caught in a cat-and-mouse Advertised in the pitch as a ‘grim, hunt with Nyx, and the self-explanatory unforgiving metropolis’, Ashwood Night & Chaos, where it is high surely is a worthy time for showtime between contender to Gotham for Indie Alice and her nemesis. dark atmosphere, albeit

classic Half-Lich and the new Plots bank Cursed and Damned trilogies: on superpowers both are set in Ashwood, an acquired in American metropolis made various ways, up of districts, boroughs and suburbs conveniently tailored whether to fit the drama that there genetically, unfolds. This literary ploy isn’t randomly or uncommon in urban fantasy, in by heightened order to better accommodate no caped masked heroes consciousness... the action, Lee explains: are in sight - only Alice usually the topography is a Werner, the supernatural mixture of landmarks inspired and adapted bounty hunter, styled on the from different cities, introduced when they cover of Dark Siren as a college serve a purpose or set a mood. A bit like beauty rock chick, who feeds on Gotham City in Batman, Lee compares, the souls she captures with her as he recounts how he actually drew a special camera lens.

publishing is an ever-growing phenomenon around the globe, and Lee and Stephanie are enjoying the ride...

Lee Dignam and Katerina Martinez’s novels are available as e-books, or print-on-demand paperback and even as audiobooks, a practical idea for those who have little time to sit down but still like the thrill of a story well told by professional actors.

Indie publishing is an evergrowing phenomenon around the globe, and Lee and Stephanie are enjoying the ride, especially when it takes them right at the top of the charts. They advise anyone with a novel in their hearts to put pen to paper, follow the indie publishing model, and share their dream with the world (wide web). Earlier in the year, as part of World Book Day, Lee and Stephanie held talks with local students about how to do just that, and hope to hold more such presentations throughout the rest of the year, in an attempt to bring Gibraltar writers into the fold.

Get in touch with Lee and Stephanie and sign up to their mailing list by typing this link in your browser: subscribe. supernalpublishing.net/magazine. And visit www.katerinamartinez.com to keep in touch with the latest issue in their sagas!

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art

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art words | Elena Scialtiel

GRAPHIC CONTENTS The Average by Stephanie Seed

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brightly coloured items (again, unusual for niversity graduate graphic Drawn and coloured with assertive pencil designer and illustrator Stephanie strokes in a simple but carefully devised, cartoon characters). She appears in most Seed is taking the artistry of immediate and clever faux-childish style stories, often alone or with supporting cartoonising oneself complemented by thickset capital characters, like hairdressers, family members, etc., except for the recurring for social media a few steps lettering speech bubbles, the comics “I produce presence of her male sideshow, a chestnut beyond average with her one comic per rely on visual minimalism to convey comic series ‘The Average’ the message, with characters, haired and bearded young man who seems day, Monday that accounts her everyday expressions and settings just to have to compete for her affections with to Friday, life with humour, irony and sketched or altogether non-existent cats, freshly laundered sheets and mocha inspired by coffee makers. sometimes self-mockery. if not necessary to the plot. If detail something becomes intrinsic to the story, as it is that has well sampled by ‘The Real Groundhog “I produce one comic per With a master degree in animation, Steph happened...”

Day’, the frame zooms out day, Monday to Friday, can marry her talent for on busy settings drawn as drawing and her passion for inspired by something that “I am realistically as possible without telling stories in the versatile has happened to me and my friends or planning to compromising consistency with genre of the graphic novel, something I’ve witnessed, my memories, collect the previous frames. with which she’s already a state of mind, or something my cats do,” best one in an she says. “It’s meant to be tongue-in-cheek experimented and is musing humour about average life and how I can The main character is fashioned after e-book for indie with a future project of a publishing later children’s book. ‘average it’, but what I strive for is making the cartoonist, wearing her yellow this year.” the stories presented relatable to a wide hair sometimes down and sometimes audience. I regularly post a new story piled up high (unusual feature for Written some five years ago to my Facebook page and website, but I cartoon characters who tend to weather and described by the author as ‘a work of am planning to collect the best one in an any adventure without enduring a bad hair my past’, ‘Machination’ is a complex sci-fi e-book for indie publishing later this year.” day!), and sporting a small wardrobe of family drama that includes time travel, GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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In response to misconception that graphic “However, graphic novels imprint a certain romance, humour and emotional conflict. pace to the narrative in the direction a novels are considered minor literature for It is a 150-page long novel, with detailed sequence of frames leads the eye, or in lesser dedicated readers or for pastime description of characters and settings, the way the action is packed in one scene intense dialogue and scene consumption only, Stephanie changes, and translated in comicexplains how they actually span or fragmented in more than one frame The comics to zoom in on detail. The construction of book script format. All frames rely on visual all genres, styles and topics, the page or pages already expresses an reminding the sceptics how were individually hand drawn and minimalism Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel emotion at first sight, layered with those digitally coloured. The genesis of a to convey the transmitted by text and drawing, whose graphic novel is complex, whether ‘Maus’ won the Pulitzer Prize message... illustrations and script are by two 25 years ago, and others won style and coloration are instrumental to other prestigious prizes such as visually set the mood.” artists or one, like in Stephanie’s the Bram Stoker Award. Furthermore, The case. So far, she has filled both roles, Nib website features powerful, but she wouldn’t mind be the illustrator If someone has a story to tell and political and personal comics that to someone else’s novel or comic book, is also talented at drawing, then All because she enjoys working in a team. deal with all sorts of issues from frames were they may find themselves faced racism to sexism and beyond. individually with a choice of writing a traditional A new comic book is in the pipeline, too: hand drawn novel, forsaking the picture input, or a graphic one exploiting both “Every genre can be expressed “I am still in the planning stages but I have and digitally their writing and painting skills, already sketched some of the characters in graphic novel form” she says, coloured. as the same story can effectively and settings, with the view of developing although the most popular remain fantasy, sci-fi and crime be told through either format; a 50-60 page fantasy comic for children, often, bookshops cater for classic novels under the working title of ‘Adventure because the drawings allow to visualise transposed into graphic ones, not just spectacular and fantastic settings, alien Kingdom’. But it is still hush-hush, so watch for younger audiences but also for those this space. creatures or amazing superheroes.

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art her brother Tim is a seasoned actor fresh of the Gibraltar Drama Festival 2017 top actor award), Stephanie dabbles in theatre whenever she can, although nowadays, it is more about being a spectator, with the sneaky chance of drawing inspiration for an Average cartoon from an awkwardly strict usher. She also takes part in the ‘Gibraltar Gamers’ online sessions with graphics and plots she often draws inspiration from.

“Every genre can be expressed in graphic novel form.”

She believes there is indeed market for graphic novels in Gibraltar, and a generous handful of artists are actively involved in drawing comics, and, of course, even more are the readers as the first ever Gibraltar Comicon demonstrated, bringing together that community.

Check out her artwork on: https://tapastic. com/series/The-Average; www.facebook.com/ theaverageseed and www.instagram.com/ stephseed. who’ve read the book, liked it and are musing about re-reading it in a new light.

When you set off to create a graphic novel, you see it grow as you draw: only a small part of it is clearly pictured in your mind, and as you progress, you may become surprisingly pleased with the outcome or unhappy with it, but either way, the project is your own monster, rather than your own baby, Stephanie jokes. “There always is the fear that the outcome won’t match the expectations of your mind’s eye and that will be more immediately and disappointingly obvious than in a written novel - but that’s a risk any graphic designer is willing to take in order to progress with their style.”

“To correctly draw poses and expressions, I have snapped photos or short videos of myself and my friends...”

Stephanie Seed

Any art form that can be produced or consumed is good for an artist, and the cartoonist is no exception, advised to enjoy visual and performing arts in order to be stirred by the most current trends for their penmanship, or towards the creation of settings and human poses as seen in theatre and dance. Stephanie says: “To correctly draw poses and expressions, I have snapped photos or short videos of myself and my friends, if I cannot manage to reproduce them from in front of the mirror.”

Coming from a theatrical family (her mother Margaret and sister Harriet have been pantomime and Royal Navy Drama Festival staples on the Rock for years, GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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music words | Mike Brufal

HAMMOND IN SYMPHONY Albert’s new album has been released

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lbert Hammond was born in He and Richard Cartwright formed the London on 18 May 1944, an Diamond Boys in 1960 but split in 1963 evacuee baby. From an early age with Albert and Richard becoming a duo. he showed a precocious talent They made their first television appearance for music and at nine was the on ‘Thank Your Lucky Stars’. head choirboy in his parish They parted company in 1965 “The band church having at eight told his members used to and Albert returned briefly to parents that his ambition was Gibraltar. He then went back to hang around the to be a singer/songwriter. Aged London and joined Richard at kitchen in the twelve, he wrote his first song the Grosvenor House hotel in hope of being and started a band with his lifePark Lane. They were underpaid given something and always hungry. “The band long friend Richard Cartwright. to eat.” members used to hang around the kitchen in the hope of being During his teenage years, he given something to eat. It did not matter was influenced by Spanish, English, Moorwhat, anything would ish, local and other kinds of music such as classical, Jewish, religious, flamenco, zarzu- suffice”, said Albert.

Before each ela and the rhythms of North Africa. song, he gave Whilst playing at the an amusing hotel, he met Mike “Gibraltar was and remains an inspiration account of its Hazlewood, the lyricist, for me as a singer and songwriter. I just and a partnership was hear melodies in my head and then on my history. formed. This was to guitar play what I hear and then construct launch them into the the ideas into a song,” he said. big time on both sides of the Atlantic.

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At the start of the economic siege by General Franco, Albert wrote ‘Make Me an Island” which sung by Joe Nolan was a number one hit in 14 countries.

Mike and Albert flew to the United States with the maximum £50 each allowed by the exchange controls. A contract was eventually signed with Hal Lander and Bobby Roberts for the new Mums label.

Albert’s first gold disc ‘It Never Rains in Southern California’ was presented to the Mayor of Gibraltar to be displayed in the mayor’s parlour.

The Epic Spanish label asked Albert to record in Spanish. In 1985, Albert produced Lani Hall’s album ‘Es Facil Amor’ which won a Grammy for best Latin album.

Throughout his career, Albert has always been in contact with his family and friends on the Rock and his love for Gibraltar remains as strong as ever. “After my death, GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

music when one of my standards is played by some young band, I hope that it will be said that this song was written by a Gibraltarian”.

Albert recently signed a contract with the record label, BMG, and ‘AH in symphony’ was the first album of the partnership.

In April, BMG organised ‘An Evening with Albert Hammond’ at the Regent cinema in London to launch the album to the media which will be on the 16th of June for the UK market. In Germany, it has already reached Number One in the album charts.

Albert is currently on a 50 show tour which started in April in Denmark and finishes in December in Germany. He is one of the few artists who is a singer, songwriter and producer.

Senior executives from the record company welcomed the journalists with drinks and tapas. After they moved to the cinema, Johnnie Walker came on stage to interview Albert about his life, his music and the album.

Albert’s voice has mellowed with age and has never been better.

Johnnie Walker, 72, is a veteran disc jockey and broadcaster who started his career in the 60s on the pirate ship Radio Caroline where he enjoyed an audience of over 20 million Europe-wide. In 1969, he moved to Radio 1, in 1976 to San Francisco and upon returning to London, worked for Radio 1 followed by Radio 2. He now presents his Sounds of the Seventies on Radio 2 on Sunday afternoon.

Eleven of the songs are Hammond compositions, the exception being ‘Estrellita’ by the Mexican Manuel Ponce. This is included because Albert, aged eight, was recorded by his uncle singing this song. Somehow, the recording survived and on this album, Albert sings a duet with his younger self.

The album was recorded at the Abbey Road studios with Albert singing in front of the 70-strong symphony orchestra.

Show over, Albert mingled with the guests, answered questions and posed for photos.

Albert appeared on stage to loud applause.

Within the first two minutes, Johnnie established that Albert was a Gibraltarian and Incredibly, Albert has been writing hit had learnt to play the guitar on the Rock. songs for over 50 years and has had a His questions enabled Albert to talk about hit during each decade. He has sold an his large catalogue of hit songs and during incredible 360 million records worldthe half hour he was on stage, he played wide. 1987 saw ‘Nothing’s Going to three songs from the album accompanying Stop Us Now’ nominated for an Oscar and himself on his guitar. He played ‘The Air the following year Whitney Houston sang ‘One Moment in Time’ which became the that I Breathe’, ‘When I Need You’, and ‘To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before’. Before each theme song for the 1988 summer Olympics. In the same year, he won an Emmy song, he gave an amusing account of its award for the same song. There is an imhistory. Albert’s voice has mellowed with pressive list of international awards age and has never been better. which in 2008 included the award He collaborated with composers He has sold such as Mike Hazlewood, Diana an incredible of the OBE and his induction into the Song Writers’ Hall of Fame.

Warren, Hal David, Carole Bayer 360 million In 2015, he won the Ivor Novello Sager and John Bettis. On some records award for the outstanding song of his songs, he writes both the world-wide. collection. This year, he received music and the words. the German Steiger award for his service to music. On Mother’s Day, he sent There followed a 15 minute film showing his 95 year old mother a Facebook mesextracts from a concert with the 70 strong sage saying ‘This award is for you Mum’.

Leipzig symphony orchestra. He sang ‘Don’t Turn Around’,’ The Air that I Breathe’, Albert was a founder member of the suc‘It Never Rains in Southern California’ and cessful group Family Dogg.

‘Nothing Going to stop us Now’.

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Johnnie Walker interviewing Albert

His first hit was ‘Little Arrows’ in 1968 aged 24. The singer was Leapy Lee. Since then, his songs have been recorded by artists such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Diana Ross, Johnny Cash, K.D. Lang and Julio Iglesias. He also taught Julio how to speak English which resulted in Julio’s international hit ‘To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before’. Albert also produced Julio’s first English album. This millenium has seen two Albert albums released ‘Legends I’ admitted that and ‘Legends 2’ which were never did he huge hits when he dueted imagine that with super stars such as he and his Cliff Richard, Julio Iglesias, songs would be Al Stewart, Bonnie Tyler recorded with and his son Albert Hama symphony mond Junior, a member of orchestra. the Strokes group.

His albums have enjoyed huge hits in the markets of Spain and Spanish speaking Latin America.

14 tracks were recorded and twelve are on the album. These are ‘It Never Rains in Southern California’, I’m a Train’, ‘When I Need You’, ‘Give a Little Love’, ‘To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before’, ‘Estrellita’, ‘When You Tell Me that You Love Me/One Moment in Time’ (Medley), ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’, ‘Don’t Turn Around’,’The Free Electric Band’,’ The Air That I Breathe’.

It is a powerful album and the songs are given a new lease of life. Albert admitted that never did he imagine that he and his songs would be recorded with a symphony orchestra. It was his musical dream come true.

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scene words | Elena Scialtiel

SINGLED IN - TOGETHER Calling all the single ladies!

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as the first month showed, there will be Single Ladies’, ‘Ladies’ Night’, ‘Sisters Are “Indeed, affordability is one of our main Doin’ It For Themselves’: Belinda Berini concerns,” Claire adds. “We are aware that more than one person in charge of the and Claire Paton - recently started a money may be tight for single mothers, practical and administrative side of fun, like Facebook group for single women so we don’t put them on the booking venues, scouting the best deals and keeping tabs on participants in order to meet and organise social events spot with expensive ideas, “Our aim is to bag discounts and make sure everyone together - Single Ladies of Gibraltar, not to provide as we care more for simple, so that they wouldn’t shy away from intimate venues where we can is accounted for. a platform living their life to the fullest just socialise safely, rather than the for potential because of lack of companionship. glamorous lifestyle.” That said, “We are open to suggestions: tell us what dates but to it doesn’t have to be always you’ve been always dreaming to do but support each frugal, and they are already never had the courage to go for it, and Unlike the similar venture ‘Single other and looking into getting promoters Mingle’ launched a couple of years together we can organise it - or perhaps have fun...” to offer VIP package ago, this group is strictly for women, just turn up to support you, deals for concerts on from singing at a karaoke albeit there are no age restrictions “We care the coast this summer, or even and the organisers are actually surprised more for simple, night to hiking,” Belinda says. holiday packages in kid-friendly at the diverse ages and walks of life who intimate venues “Most requests received so resorts. far have been down-to-earth, responded to their Facebook invitation, where we can and how they quickly got along. but nonetheless significant: socialise safely, someone to share Sunday The pair, who met while working rather than lunch or going to the cinema at a local supermarket and “Our aim is not to provide a platform for the glamorous with, or helping hands at a immediately ‘clicked’, claims that potential dates,” founder Belinda says, “but lifestyle.” children’s party at the park. no event is too big or too small to to support each other and have fun at Saturday morning coffee events and gatherings single women would organise or attend, and suggestions from other members are welcome, actually or Friday night drinks are a popular fancy attending without having to break rendezvous too, but fitness comes to play hoping that, if the group grows as steadily the bank.”

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scene as well, with salsa classes in the pipeline.

Should you wish for a gym buddy or someone to power-walk with, just post it on our wall so others can join in and you can turn a work out into a day out.”

They observe how sometimes single women are sidelined in their married friends’ circles, perhaps because they are friends with their exes too, and they end up taking – or not taking – sides and avoid them just to avoid the awkwardness that ensues; on the other hand, the newly single woman may find her priorities shifting and willing to run in new circles where they can feel whole again instead of just a half devoided of its better half.

They add that in Gibraltar, more than elsewhere, newly single women are lucky enough to be reabsorbed into their families - which is helpful indeed emotionally and Belinda and Claire home-economically - but one must not rely solely on too quiet and surreal,” Belinda says. “I that’s why we’re planning alternative “A breakup their parents or siblings and ways to reach out to all,” adds Claire, who is not the end, realised I needed to muster a group dare instead to overstep of like-minded women with whom to moved to Gibraltar last autumn with her life goes on and the boundaries of one’s plan our free time ahead. So Claire mother, eager to start a new chapter in her together we comfort zone in order and I just said ‘Let’s do it!’, we created life, after having raised two boys on her make it easier.” the Facebook page and we proposed a own. to start living again. “A breakup is not the end, life coffee morning to meet and greet. The goes on and together we make it easier.” response was great: our group Word of mouth is the best publicity includes some two hundred and if you have a single friend who “We didn’t members!”

Child-free and child-friendly ideas for the has a single friend who has a single expect there friend… well, bring them along: the weekend are always welcome, keeping would be so in mind that several members may share “We didn’t expect there more the merrier! But it isn’t a ‘free custody of their children hence have them would be so many single for all’: prospective members are many single in tow on alternate weekends: “The first ladies in Gibraltar! And there ‘vetted’ before being inducted in this ladies in weekends ‘off’ my three young children might be more, but they may closed group to protect them from Gibraltar!” spent with their father, the house was not be social media savvy, predators.

Single ladies on a night out

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words | Julia Coelho

FESTIVAL FASHION

Show off your personality with no fears!

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say, you’ll be battling the elements in some ith Coachella now long global industry, and we pretty much can’t gone, and other favourites go a couple of days without being inundat- form, no matter where you are, be it the like Glastonbury, Reading, ed by over-the-top and often-too-polished intense heat and dust, or the outbreaks Primavera looks donned by the likes of the Jenof heavy showers and mud! Practicality and functionality in fashion is still of vital Sound and Hideout only but ner sisters and their supermodel pals Clothing a mere few weeks away now, allows you to on social media, it can be difficult not importance, especially at festivals! So keep it’s really time to start gearing reading if you’re looking for festival fashion manifest your to feel pressured to look a certain up for festival season! way. I can’t help but think that alinspiration; there’s sure to be something personality though social media should be a great for everyone. and mood tool to inspire and encourage others Festival fashion gets a bad on a physical to be themselves and not be afraid rap, with many expressing Accessories their indignation at the notion artistic level... to break the mould, it’s also sucked the joy out of fashion in many ways. that festivals have become Accessories are the perfect way to take But if you can block out the noise, festivals your outfit to the next level without more about the clothes than the music.

But whether we like it or not, festivals have are an opportunity to go the much effort. If you don’t like going extra mile and feel totally firmly nestled themselves in the centre of for outlandish outfits, but still want It can be free in fashion. That’s not to the fashion social calendar. Despite this difficult not to to embrace the creative freedom that negative perception, the way I see it is that say you can’t do that in your festivals offer, why not go ham on the feel pressured everyday life, but festivals clothing is a way of expressing yourself; accessories?! to look a definitely provide a space to it allows you to manifest your personality certain way. be all the more creative. and mood on a physical, and some would There’s no need to ditch the hair say, artistic level, so I really do think that garlands and face glitter if you don’t fashion goes hand in hand with music.

Having said all of this, festivals are not want to, but this year, it’s all about bold all a breeze, with many exposing you to statement jewellery. From hair rings to polarities in weather and terrain. Safe to Because festival fashion has become a body chains and face gems, but also jazzy GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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fashion Missguided Metal Stud Backpack

Pimkie Stripe Fabric Backpack

ASOS £28

ASOS £22

sunnies and funky bags, accessories are the perfect way to make a statement without going overboard.

Festivals are

While last year saw the an opportunity renaissance of the bum to go the extra bag (my inner six-yearmile and feel old was loving that totally free in one), this year we’re fashion... trading in that iconic 90s piece for smaller – but still perfect - varieties of another practical classic: the backpack! I’m pretty sure these have been around for quite a few seasons now, but this season, they’re coming in all colours and textures, from mohair and pastel, to grungy studs and wild prints.

Flynn Skye Wrap Skirt ASOS £115

Festival Coin Bandana Headband ASOS £12

Boho chic Bohemian styles always have a place in festivals, especially in terms of practicality and comfort. Aesthetically speaking, boho is probably one of my all-time favourite styles, and if you’re looking for ideas, look no further than the likes of Alexa Chung or Kate Moss, who nail this feminine and laid-back look time and time again.

Flowy cuts like baby-doll dresses and bell-sleeved playsuits always strike a great balance between showing some skin and a gorgeous yet understated silhouette.

Opting for a more neutral palette will allow so many styling options, and depending on your preference, you can go for a more minimalist look like a flowy maxi dress, or equally something a little bolder, like a cutout crochet body-suit, paired with a suede mini skirt or denim shorts. The possibilities are endless, but what’s absolutely certain is that boho styles never fail to spark up some interest and conversation.

I absolutely love a good pair of cowboy boots, and although bohemian styles and Western styles go hand in hand, as much as I’d love to rock a Practicality cowboy hat down Main Street, I and Rock Chick think a festival may be a better functionality suited occasion for a first-timer.

The bomber jacket has probably in fashion is From tassels to suede and denim been one of the most successful to my wardrobe staple; my trusty still of vital and popular trends we’ve had pointed-toe boots, don’t be afraid importance... in years, and will forever have a to experiment a little with a style place in the festival-goer’s wardthat is out of your comfort zone! robe arsenal. The best thing about a bomber jacket in my opinion (other than sheer Young Bohemians aesthetics of course) is that, not only is it Halter Neck Top In a practical choice with regards to potential Snake Print rain and evening chilliness, but if you find ASOS £5 yourself becoming a little overheated, you can just wrap it around your waist and look just as awesome.

ARTESSA Leather Western Ankle Boots ASOS £39

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fashion

Alpha Industries MA-1 TT Nasa Reversible Bomber Jacket ASOS £155

T-Shirt with Spliced Metallica Print

Missguided Sinner Highwaisted Flame Print Denim Shorts

ASOS £22

ASOS £25

A military-inspired khaki style is a guarmake your life easier if you just don’t know anteed winner, in fact, everything khaki what to wear! or military will be a winner this festival season, but the high-street will be sure to Think glitzy embellished dresses paired have something for you even with chunky military boots or an if military is not your cup of over-sized denim jacket. Or for Accessories tea. For a perfect pairing, are the perfect something a little safer, why not go team your jacket up with a for a grungy band tee, and team it up way to take slogan t-shirt; another trend with a feminine denim skirt and fluffy your outfit to that has been rocking the sliders or gladiator sandals? Conthe next level festivals over the past month. trasting is easy and can be so much without much fun; there’s really no better way of effort. stepping out of your comfort zone.

A juxtaposition One of my favourite things to do at festivals, which I often feel I can’t get away with on a daily basis, is to go for totally contrasting styles. Believe it or not, this will

Mix clashing vibrant colours, and if you decide to go for a neutral outfit, try and make a cool contrast with a bold

Noisy May Tall Oversized Denim Jacket With Utility Detail

Beach Mexican Pastel Tile Print Co-ord

ASOS £48

ASOS £46

Mix clashing vibrant colours, if you go for a neutral outfit, make a cool contrast with a bold shoe.

Dr Martens Pascal Multi Floral 8-Eye Boots ASOS £125

shoe. Most styles are versatile and will look great with other styles, no matter how opposing you think they may be. What’s absolutely certain is that festivals are a place to have fun with fashion, and not to take yourself too seriously. There are no rules and no dress codes!

Pull&Bear Coconut Espadrille ASOS £30

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leisure words | Sophie Clifton-Tucker

BORED? GAMES! Return of the TableTop

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friends over to all gather around a TV, hook ighting over who didn’t receive involving two or more opposing ‘forces’ up a controller and play. However, with £200 for passing ‘Go’ and who in a military-style simulation comprised the modern-day ability to play with anyone gets to be the silver top of miniature figures (soldiers, (known or unknown) over the internet, hat need no longer be monsters and armoured fighting It was the social aspect of gaming has changed. experienced in the confines of vehicles) battling each other over clear that Cool as they are, modern video games your family living room. There is a tabletop terrain. After various people had often lose this fun social component when a small but steadily growing sociconversations about what could players aren’t physically there with you to ety on the Rock who aim to bring an interest in be done regarding location, it was interact and enjoy the experience. together a wide range of gaming branching out clear that people had an interest enthusiasts over a diverse range in branching out and playing other and playing types of tabletop games, and so of board games, role play games Part of the appeal of analogue gaming is other types (RPG), card games, dice games the society was born. the friendships that can be formed of tabletop and ‘wargamers’ - these are the across the table through a shared Modern games... ‘tabletop’ gamers of Gibraltar. gaming experience. It provides an The aim of the GTGS video games important lesson in cultivating skills is to promote (and often lose that will benefit people of all ages.

The Gibraltar Tabletop Gaming Society in many ways bring back) this fun social Depending on the game played, (GTGS) was formed towards the tail end the social aspect of tablecomponent top gaming. Back in the success can be achieved by applying of summer in 2016 where it was approved when players social skills and communication, tacdays of Sega, somewhere as a GSLA-registered club. The idea came aren’t between the classic monotical thinking and intellect, creativity into fruition after a series of conversations physically there and storytelling, teamwork and cochrome movement of Pong between members of the Warbastion Club with you... operation, and problem solving. The and today’s rather more - exclusively a ‘wargaming’ club focused action-packed Call of Duty, games suddenly form a safe training on the popular tabletop battle game environment which will help players before video games provided a wealth of social Warhammer - following the loss of their interaction as people would typically invite applying them to real life situations. With premises. Warhammer is a strategy game

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leisure

Damian Ghio running a roleplaying game of ‘Star Wars Edge of the Empire’

all this positive aspects of tabletop gaming in mind, the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority (GSLA) liked what was going on and kindly provided the society with a room in the boathouse of the Bayside sports complex. A Facebook group has since been created to form a hub for players to meet up and arrange their own gaming sessions.

Part of

Alister Fa, Chairman the appeal of the society said: of analogue “Tabletop gaming never gaming is the really left our commufriendships nity. This is especially that can be evident in the summer, formed across as local families spend the table... entire days at the beach gathered around playing ‘Ludo’ or ‘Tablita’ as it’s known here. However, it’s usually our older generations who partake in these games. The GTGS are now trying to encourage the younger generation to get into gaming with their families while showcasing the wealth of other games that are currently out there.”

Armchair generals discussing the finer points of Warmachine/Hordes

are encouraged to bring your own game Tabletop games have a lot to be thanked (although several committee members also for in the way of bringing people together bring in their own), play fair, and in family homes, cosy cafes and even beaches or long distance most importantly: have fun! The Hours transport! It is this love of good are spent by International Tabletop Day is a globold fashioned fun that led to the avid players al event where over 80 countries opening of ‘games cafes’. One of crafting and host community events to celebrate this style of gameplay. This year’s note can be found nestled in the carefully event was held on April 29th but winding cobbled streets of Oxpainting the the society also offer a number of ford. ‘Thirsty Meeples’ is a board figurines... other similar events throughout the game cafe that provides people year, namely the D&D Adventurers with a safe haven to play one of League Game and Rock ‘n’ Roll Games Day. the 2,500 games that line their walls, all Additionally, they meet every Wednesday whilst enjoying tasty homemade food! and Sunday at the Boathouse within the Bayside Sports Centre. Join their Facebook Interesting side-note: A ‘meeple’ is the page for more details. name given to the character or object representing the player in a board game.

Another place you can go to escape into a The word meeple is a mash-up of ‘meeting self-created fantasy world is the new War people’ and also ‘my people’.

Shop on Turnbull’s Lane. As well as selling comic books, board games and paints for If you like what you’ve read so far and miniatures, this hobby store also provides want to get involved - good news! The heavily detailed free tables for you to get Gibraltar Tabletop Gaming Society holds your game on and wage war in Warhaman annual public event that takes place at mer. the Rock Bastion. It’s free to join and you

Alister Fa and Gian Finlayson introducing Louis Perry, Davinia Cano and Julian Felice to the art of roleplaying games for the live Dungeons & Dragons game at the Gibraltar International Comic Con 70

Which player is the traitor? Exploring a haunted house in ‘Betrayal at House on the Hill’ GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

leisure

Warmachine/Hordes: Trolls square up against the Thornfall Alliance for battlefield control “Get to the chopper!” Escaping the city in ‘Zombies!!!’

However, this is more than just a game, and can also be treated as a form of collectible series.

Board games are constantly evolving.

Some of today’s games can be a bit more complicated than Cluedo or Monopoly and many now contain elements of RPG, but they’re becoming much more readily accessible, quicker to set up and get into to play.

You may have heard of, or A series even attended Gibraltar’s reIn recent years, a series of innoof innovative cent International Comic Convative games has brought about a games has vention (GICC) where, asides brought about renaissance in board game design from a thriving public gaming and popularity. A large part of this is a renaissance area, the GTGS hosted a live attributed to a web series on Geek If scantily clad, buxom maidens in metal Dungeons & Dragons game in board game & Sundry’s YouTube channel called bikinis swashbuckling scaly opponents where the audience got to pardesign and TableTop. Host Wil Wheaton and isn’t your thing, you are welcome to join ticipate and alter the narrative popularity. several other celebrities in at one of the GTGS events and which featured local perhave popularised the conwith any game you wish to The sonalities who previously had cept and also focused on highlightbring, from Cluedo to Uno! The stereotype little to no experience in RPGs. This made ing several different games now society is nothing if not incluthat certain for a pretty amusing scenario. Dungeons considered to be modern classics sive. (Although perhaps leave games are for and Dragons (first released in 1974) is a such as Ticket to Ride, Settlers the Twister mat at home.) The particular age legendary fantasy adventure game shared of Catan, Pandemic, and Fury of stereotype that certain games by heroes and antiheroes on a quest to groups or even are for particular age groups Dracula. His closing slogan: “Play solve dilemmas, engage in battles and a particular more games!” is the cornerstone or even a particular gender gather treasure and knowledge. The game gender is being is being challenged through of the Gibraltar Tabletop Soc. This has experienced a recent boost in popuchallenged... rising popularity is evident in the public events held by societies larity after being featured on this year’s increase of local retailers now like these, so gather the family, popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. (I’m stocking these sorts of games, and also by head on down to the next event and share still having Demogorgon nightmares.) the large amount of people who attended the chaos of your kitchen table with other the public gaming area at the GICC. like-minded people!

Battle games such as Warhammer and Dungeons and Dragons extend beyond the tabletop itself. Hours are spent by avid players crafting and carefully painting the figurines, or ‘miniatures’ used during gameplay. For some, this is more than just a game; it’s a hobby, and one that often takes considerable patience and skill.

If you like the idea of this type of gaming but lack the time or steady hand in which to make your own miniatures, games such as Star Wars: Armada come with pre-painted pieces, leaving you to get on with assuming your role as fleet admiral. This sort of fun doesn’t come cheap; a full core game set (which includes three pre-painted capital ship miniatures, ten unpainted fighter squadrons, and more than 130 cards and tokens) can set you back a cool sum of somewhere between £60 to £90.

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Family matters set aside as players go on a quest for the Crown of Command in ‘Talisman’ 71

travel words | Chris Hedley

RIVETING ROMANIA Visiting Draculand

A

European hub with a troubled past. As you sk the person next to you to talk century. Various lands changed hands befor one minute about Romania tween various nations a few times before travel in from the airport, you’ll see the and watch them crumble into the country gained independence from the buildings change from generic blocks for a quivering mess of Turkish Empire in the late 19th the masses, to the grand mansions of the affluent. If you arrive by train, as with many hesitant mumbling followed by century and formed the basis of After sheepish acceptance that they what is the Romania we know and city stations, you’ll find yourself in the midmentioning should probably do some swatlove today. After the First World dle of a busy area of an unfamiliar foreign Dracula and ting. After mentioning Dracula War, a few more bits of land were city, which can be quite overwhelming. At realising you’ve added on to Romania, including and realising you’ve probably first glance from the train station, you’ll probably never Transylvania. After the Second notice subtle differences from other cities, never read it, you’re left clutchread it, you’re like the slightly harder selling tourist touts, ing at old footballers (GheWorld War, the tyrannous power left clutching at of the USSR swept over or the mismatched buildings. orghe Hagi) or questionable musical talents (The Cheeky These are things you’ll learn to Petty old footballers... the nation under the veil Girls). For some reason, very of communism, before love about the city, but as I said, crime aside, being plonked straight into all few people seem to have any dissolving in 1989. EnsuBucharest depth of knowledge about the place. From ing democracy enabled the Romacan be a bit of an experience. enjoys a When attempting to find your the beautiful beaches of the Black Sea to nia to join the EU ten years ago relatively low accommodation, be very careful the eerie forests of Transylvania, Romania and things have been developing crime rate is truly a place where East(ern European there in much the same way as when using taxis, especially compared to culture) meets West(ern European culture). any other EU member state. from the airport. Taxi scams in other European Bucharest are abundant, low cities. cost offers can be tempting The history of Romania is difficult to How you enter Romania will but as the old adage goes: if condense. After some good old historical greatly shape your first impression it sounds too good to be true, use public fighting between peoples, the first Princiof the place. Clearly, the obvious first stop transport. pality of Romania was formed in the 14th is the capital, Bucharest, a large Eastern GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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travel

Bucharest’s Communist Housing Blocks

your hands and knees observing the floor Petty crime aside, Bucharest enjoys a combined with the elegant architecture relatively low crime rate compared to other emanating between the two world wars in this commuter station, but the Metro European cities. This leaves you soaking were how Bucharest obtained its nickname system is planning to install ‘interactive in the eclectic architecture ‘Little Paris’. This was, of course, palaeontology classes’ inside the station to with the knowledge that your before Nicolae Ceaușescu knocked sate your cretaceous curiosity.

Communist average street thug is only down half the city to make way Romania interested in commandeering for his marble palace. It is pretty For the history buffs, one of the main saw the city your wallet, instead of your life. impressive though. points of interest will be visiting an old grow with Communist Romania saw the *May be conjecture residence of Vlad the Impaler right in the archetypal city grow with archetypal tower heart of the city. A reconstruction of where tower blocks blocks springing up all over the Vlad spent the latter part of this life. As the After you’ve tired of exploring springing up all streets with a 200 year old temple, name suggests, the chap wasn’t known for place. These were sometimes over the place. a skyscraper, and a communist built as part of a new district, his pleasantries and tea party decorum. He but much of the historical murdered anywhere up to 100,000 civilblock on the same stretch; head buildings were razed in order to make way ians back in the 1400’s, with a preferred underground to the Politehnica metro for the pieces of art. The idea was to remethod of impaling. Yet, he is seen as a nastation. While the station doesn’t have place the hideously bland neo-classical and the striking artistic beauty of the metro tional hero by some; a man who fought for art deco buildings with structures which Romanian independence, battled off the stations of St Petersburg, it does have a represented social realism. A large part of Turks, and amassed numerous stounique quality. As you walk along the destruction of the old city was to make the marble floor, you may notice ries involving impalement. NowaUnlike the way for the four billion kilogramme Palace days, most of this is forgotten with its pink tinge and ornate patternGreat Wall of the Parliament. This truly colossal strucing. What you may not realise, of China, The the majority of foreigners more ture, originally built to house the entire along with many other people, interested in the embellishments of Palace of the government, now boasts three museums, Bran Stoker, thanks to whom you’ll is that you are stepping on 85 Parliament an international conference centre, and be more familiar with Vlad the million-year-old fossils. The marcan actually Impaler’s real name: Vlad Dracula. various parliamentary offices, amongst ble was taken from the Apuseni be seen from The castle is not presently being other things. Fact*: Unlike the Great Wall Mountains in the 80’s and placed space. of China, The Palace of the Parliament in the metro station, the architect touted as ‘Dracula’s castle’ so you can actually be seen from space. The city oblivious to the marble’s hidden may be able to visit the place in also hosts its very own Arcul de Triumf, relative privacy, the main ‘Dracula’s castle’ secret. This is still a relatively unknown modelled after the famed Parisian arc. This, factoid so you may look rather strange on is, of course, in Transylvania…

Nicolae Ceaușescu stamp

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Bucharest centre

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travel

Arcul de Triumf

Palace of the Parliament- the heaviest architectural building in the world

In Romania’s northwest, about a threemerchants made their way over in the 12th the mountains, brown bears roaming the hour train ride from Bucharest, lies the century and started bosching up castles forest… Whilst you are unlikely to see a land for which Romania is best over the next few hundred years. For brown bear crossing the road, they are known. Much of the fame dethe hardcore Vlad the Impaler fans, relatively prevalent in this part of Europe.

What rives from the novel, Dracula, so you may not his main fortress was Poenari Castle, As a backpacker not so many years ago, let’s start there. Just outside the which is slowly falling into ruin on you could wander up to your local hostel realise is tourist city of Brasov, you’ll find a mountaintop a few hours’ drive owner, offer him €20, and off you’d go in that you are a rolling landscape of tree covfrom Bran. Chosen presumably for its his beaten up Dacia to a rural forest edge. stepping on impenetrability, you’ll have to climb ered mountaintops. On a misty From here, he’d slap a load of honey over 85 millionevening, howling wolves on the nearly 1500 steps to step inside. The the bonnet of his car before hastily retreatyear-old horizon, one might be forgiven choice is yours, Poenari Castle has ing to the relative camouflage of a nearby fossils. for succumbing to the legends, more historical intrinsicality with Vlad bush to play the waiting game. What hapas in the distance, a break in the the Impaler, but Bran castle may have pened next was usually a docile encoungreenery reveals the ‘real’ Dracula’s castle. stronger ties to Dracula, who despite being ter, although could occasionally end with Dum Dum DUUUMMM. Only, there isn’t based on Vlad is arguably more famous/ fighting bears and broken pieces of rusty any strong evidence this castle is the ‘real’ interesting. Bran castle is definitely nicer.

70’s car strewn about the place. Nowadays castle. Vlad may have stayed here once (while I’m sure this version of bear or twice in his time but it certainly wasn’t tourism still exists), spotting bears The whole area is worth One of the his residence, and Stoker is rumoured to comes in many forms, from paying exploring by car or bus (trains main points have based his idea of Dracula’s castle on are slow), and you may find of interest will hundreds of pounds to spend many a painting of the castle, other than that, days bear watching, to hoping one yourself becoming enchanted be visiting an wanders past your hotel rummaging we must rely on what the Romanian tourist by the unspoilt scenery with old residence through the bins (less romantic). board tells us and our vivid imaginations. In a sense of truly stepping back of Vlad The any case, it’s a very nice castle. into a medieval landscape; Impaler...

Serfs making hay and rounding Sighişoara is the heart of TransylBran Castle, along with many others dotted the livestock before mounting vania’s historic region with almost around the area, has a very Bavarian feel a horse back to the farmhouse, centuries perfectly preserved, authentic medieval to it. This isn’t so coincidental, as German old structures and ruins spread amongst architecture. The city was one of the most 85 million-year-old fossils in the Politehnica Metro Station’s marble floor

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Brasov

important in Transylvania for hundreds of years and served as a key commercial centre in central Europe. The locals will proudly tell you about the town’s history and famous natives such as… Various people. So many. Too many to name. Vlad also has his roots here with the town boasting

Bran Castle, along with many others dotted around the area, has a very Bavarian feel to it.

the (alleged) house in which he was which open up even more breathtaking born. The citadel offers view of Sighişoara and the surChosen familiar hilltop views with rounding villages from the top of an added ingredient for presumably for its the nearest hill. A brisk around variation: a water feature the valley following signposts impenetrability, (a river). It is a small will lead you to a couple of imyou’ll have to place which can easily be pressive fortified churches. climb nearly traversed on foot as a day 1500 steps to trip, however, there are A day or two in the area, given step inside. various walks or bike rides that Transylvania is all quite Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle

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Transylvania

medieval, will be sufficient for you to want val villages, countryside, sure. Beaches? of the roulette table back in the late 80’s, it to head east and find out what beaches The country boasts over 250 kilometres continues to attract visitors. The setting of Romania has to offer. But of beach where Romanian land a grand art nouveau building which used to The citadel wait, are you here in the last meets the Black Sea. Don’t think host royals and the rich from these Eastern weekend of July? Why not you’ve escaped your medieval European lands is now no more than a offers familiar stick around for the festival of educational holiday yet, Constan- landmark, a reminder of a place once as rehilltop views medieval arts and crafts? Local ta, the most well-known seaside vered as the French Riviera. Thanks to the with an added beer, traditional foods such settlement, is more than just a wondrous nature of the EU, funding was ingredient for as goulash, parades, costume beach town with some allocated to restore the building, variation: a water re-enactments, street perforchip shops and a fair. however, the rumours of the The country feature... mances, handmade souvenirs.

Constanta had been in roulette wheels spinning once boasts over It’s all enough to make you existence for over half a more have yet to be verified.

250 kilometres want to stay forever. Until a few days later century BC and claims to be the of beach where I’m guessing you didn’t leave when the festival finishes and the calming oldest inhabited city in Romania.

Romanian sound of waves crashing against the shore Fear not, although there are Gibraltar to stare at a waterfront land meets the casino all day, so fortunately, calls you to the coast (500km away).

Roman remains and remnants of Black Sea. medieval living, the most famous there’s plenty more to keep you building, strangely enough, is an When you imagine Romania, you’ll probentertained. If you’ve never got old casino. This impressive structure on ably start to paint a picture similar to the round to trying windsurfing over in Tarifa, the cliffs of the Black Sea had its last spin first half of this article. Vampires, mediewhy not give it a crack here? For those Brasov, Transylvania

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Although there are Roman remains and remnants of medieval living, the most famous building is an old casino.

whose budget will allow, you can rent sail boats for the day, for the rest of us, we’ll have to settle for picturesque walks (and maybe a quick go on a quad bike). If you’re travelling with a significant other, I’d recommend taking the boat out to Ovidiu Island for one of the more romantic meal settings you’re likely to have.

If you have the time, rent a car and get lost in the further reaches of this eclectic area, after all, drinking cocktails on the beach can only go on for so long before you start

Constanta cazino on Black Sea coastline

longing for a good old-fashioned some wine tasting will be a truly authentic glass of wine. As luck would have experience. Tourism is on the rise so get in it, there’s a nice vineyard not far while you can. After leaving enough time from Constanta where you can for your alcohol levels to drop to a level grab a glass of that famous Rowhere you’re safely (and legally) allowed to manian wine and kick drive, you can further explore the Take the back in the country’s area. A few days on the beaches boat out to warmest region. There Constanta will soon have you are actually an abunOvidiu Island looking for something a little more dance of wineries in Romania, for one of the unspoiled. Further up the coast but the fact that wine tourism more romantic you’ll come across a number of remains a fairly untapped market meal settings resorts ranging from no-good-atmeans that after you’ve found all to way-too-expensive-for-me. you’re likely to a way to traverse the language Some of these resorts have their have. barrier, a tour of the ground and own beautiful private beaches to relax on but for those of us who Constanta prefer a less touristy experience, you’ll find an abundance of untouched beaches all the way up the coast. Days of fun.

Poenari Castle

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Danube Delta

At the end of your holiday, you Many countries in Europe can ski down Transylvanian mountains and The might want to take things in a are diverse, but few have the take refuge from the snow next to a fire Danube Delta different direction. The Danube complexity and intrigue of in a 16th century building. Whenever you offers a level Delta offers a level of serenity like Romania. A summer decide to go, there’s a long list of serenity like visit will see dipping nowhere else. It’s hard to imagine of things waiting for you to do A few days set how the mighty river has cut its way nowhere else. in and out of the sea aside to listen to on arrival, and you’re more than through ten countries before dumpon a secluded beach, likely to come back with a bigbirdsong whilst ing the water here, into the Black Sea. It’s or perhaps, one of the country’s ger list than when you arrived. finishing your hard to believe because it’s so peaceful mountaintop lakes, to escape And vampires probably won’t novel are more and so quiet. Too quiet some might say, if the heat. Six months later, you try to suck your blood. than welcome. you’ve ever run into someone who’s been here, they might have complained about Danube Delta the distinct lack of things to actually do here. While this may sound boring for some, I’m sure most of us can agree that a few days set aside to listen to birdsong whilst finishing your novel are more than welcome. Bird watchers, flower spotters, and anglers will all want to extend their stay here, for everyone else, the riverside sun going down is the setting for you to reflect on the end of a memorable holiday.

Brown Bear spotted in Transylvania

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wine words | Andrew Licudi AIWS

ENGLISH WINE

Could it one day challenge Champagne?

I

been imported from the continent. Cerf you think English wine is an oxymovines into Britain. What is debatable, tainly, well-established trade routes would ron, think again. It would appear that according to historians, is if wine making with the onslaught of global warming, was ever established in Britain by the have made importing wine far simpler than Brexit, and the undoubted invaders. The Roman writer Tacitus battling the English weather. We know that wine became an important element quality of English fizz, interest described the English weather as What started in English wine has never objectionable and not at all suitable of life of Churches and monasteries, in as a hobby for part linked to religious ceremonies but been higher. What started as many producers for wine making. It would not have a hobby for many producers taken long for the Roman hieraralso enjoyed as part of their diet and the has the hallmark has the hallmark of a gold chy to establish safe trade routes undoubted pleasure that wine can bring. of a gold rush... rush and we have just seen to and from Britain and one can the one of the Grand Marimagine that imported wine would The Victorians quĂŠs of Champagne acquire 20 hectares soon have found its way to the tables of of vineyards in Kent which is expected to the elite or even those of much lower rank. Wine drinking had been very well estabcome into production by 2024. Here, we lished by the time Queen Victoria look at the history of English wine thus far came to power. Claret from France, The Roman The Church takes over and consider if it could one day challenge Sherry from Spain and wine from writer Tacitus Champagne, or is it destined to remain The Romans may not have other parts of Europe had become described a niche product to be drunk only in a left a legacy of viticulture part of British culture though there the English post-Brexit England and reluctantly served is little evidence of any significant but could well have left a weather as in British embassies around the world. wine making other than by expertradition of wine drinking objectionable... imenters, inevitably noblemen or eventually taken over by the landowners eager to try something Church. There is no evidence Roman origins that wine was ever produced in significant different. None succeeded, however, and quantities in Britain but it is generally any effort to produce wine commercialIt is possible that the Roman invasion of accepted that wine would have probably ly never took off until the 1990s when Britain in AD 43 brought with it the first 80

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wine names in Champagne including Taittinger, Pol Roger and Veuve Cliquot. This might be small beginnings but as the old cliché tells us “the writing might just be on the wall” or perhaps more accurately “on the ground”.

The White Cliffs of Dover

hobbies or retirement projects gradually became fledgling businesses.

Wine making in England and Wales today

Climate and chalk is what makes Champagne - we have been told by the Champenoise for decades. Luckily, as amply demonstrated by the chalky cliffs England of Dover, England appears to share much of the geological features appears to share much of of Champagne with plenty of flint the geological and chalky limestone to make top notch fizz. Taittinger have teamed features of up with wine agents Hatch ManChampagne sfield and invested in 69 hectares with plenty of of prime land in Kent. Vines have age which relies on portraying flint and chalky been planted and the first bottles Champagne as one of life’s limestone... of fizz are expected to be on the unique luxuries like caviar or market by 2023. I expect that if even diamonds. We do know the venture succeeds, we will see most of that there is mounting concern about the Grand Marqués in Champagne making global warming in France. After all, if good similar moves thereby having feet in both sparkling wine could be made in warmer post-Brexit Britain and post-Brexit EU! climes, Spanish Cava would have long age challenged Champagne and we know that there are few, if any, seriously good Cava.

What about the quality?

© Thomas Alexander Photography

According to statistics published by the House of Commons, there are 30 commercial vineyards in England and Wales. However, the number of vineyards which are retirement projects or hobbies for the wellheeled, or even the not-so-well-heeled, I recall buying a case of Nyetimber 2010 If the Champenoise are not losing sleep number in their hundreds. Brexit, rightly some time ago and being ambivalent about over English fizz, at least they might feel or wrongly, has given the whole industry a boost, with expectations running very high, some discomfort when in recent, well-pub- the quality. However, having opened another bottle a few days ago, the transforlicised tastings, some English fizzes have presumably, that in the event of a hard mation after a few years of bottle age has beaten well-known Champagnes. A recent Brexit, Champagne will be penalised with been considerable. The remaining bottles blind tasting by Noble Rot high import tariffs, thereby English have taken on an enhanced value and I, for Magazine, for example, fizz very competitive. If trade deals English fizz one, will not lose any sleep if after Brexit, placed Hambledon Classic with the US are subsequently estabhas already English fizz becomes the new “ChamCuvée and Nyetimber 2010 lished, so much the better as English been well pagne”. above some of the best fizz has already been well received received in the in the States where luxury English Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger (left) and Patrick McGrath MW, MD States where products appear to be in demand. of Hatch Mansfield, plant first vines for English spakling wine luxury English Plans are afoot to increase demand from the current 5m bottles to well products appear over 20m in the next few years. to be in demand.

Other than Brexit, interest in English wine has been sparked by the positive comparison that many consumers and wine writers are making with Champagne.

Some writers even suggest that with global warming, it will become increasingly difficult to make top notch wine in Champagne and that the South of England could one day take the mantle as the finest sparkling wine region in the world.

Should the Champenoise be worried?

Perhaps, after all, UK is one of the largest consumers of Champagne. The vast scale of wine production in Champagne, however, could not be easily replicated in England though any suggestion than English fizz could even get near the quality level of the finest in Champagne could seriously dent Champagne’s image - an imGIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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recipes Recipe by Taste

BEETROOT FALAFEL

Serve with warm pita bread and delicious tahini dipping sauce

INGREDIENTS 1 ½ cups (300g) dried chickpeas

½ tsp salt and ground black pepper

½ cup (120g) tahini

⅓ cup (80ml) vegetable oil

2 tbsps natural coconut yoghurt

3 large pita bread, toasted, to serve

2 tbsps lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

tablespoons of mixture into 24 balls.

Place falafel on a tray and flatten slightly.

Chill for 30 minutes.

2 beetroots, peeled, roughly chopped 2 shallots or ½ red onion, chopped 1 cup almond meal 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 cup coriander, chopped; extra to serve 1 lemon, finely grated zest; 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 tsps ground cumin 2 tsps ground coriander 1 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp baking powder 82

Place chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with water. Cover and soak overnight.

Drain chickpeas, rinse under running water, and drain again.

Place chickpeas, beetroot, shallot, almond meal, herbs, lemon zest and juice, spices, baking powder, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs and holds together when squeezed. Using wet hands, shape

Meanwhile, to make tahini sauce, blend or whisk all ingredients and ¼ cup water until smooth. Season to taste.

Heat oil in a heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Cook falafel, in batches, for 2-3 minutes each side, until golden. Drain on paper towel. Serve with tahini sauce, pita and extra coriander.

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recipes Recipe by 24 Carrot Life

TAHINI FUDGE

Portable snacks that fit in a skin-beautifying diet

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

FACTS per serving

Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix to thoroughly combine.

Servings: 12

Spoon into a silicone candy mold and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

Fat: 10.4 g Sugar: 4.4 g

pinch of salt

Pop the bites out of the mold and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Tahini is an excellent source of calcium, manganese and the amino acid methionine. It is a source of healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Its relatively high levels of calcium and protein make it a useful addition to plant-based diets when eaten in its unroasted form.

Compared to peanut butter, tahini has higher levels of fiber and calcium and lower levels of sugar and saturated fats.

½ cup tahini ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut ¼ cup maple syrup 2 tbsps melted coconut oil ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Calories: 126 Carbohydrates: 6.3 g Fiber: 1 g Protein: 1.9 g

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restaurants, bars & pubs

food & drink directory e to wher drink eat &e Rock on th

Casa Pepe

A delightful terrace, bar, restaurant on the prestigious Queensway Quay Marina. Wonderful location for business meetings, weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. Specialising in fresh fish caught locally with daily specials including seabass, dorada, sole, and bream, plus a very comprehensive a la carte menu. Also available are tapas and raciones (double size tapas) to share (or not!) prior to a main course.

Mixed paellas also available, as well as fish cooked in rock salt, whole suckling pig and baby lamb to order.

Open: Tues-Sat lunch & evening, Sunday lunch only, closed Mondays.

Casa Pepe, 18 Queensway Quay Marina, Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com.

Visit: www.casapepegib.com

The Lounge 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.

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

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Nunos Italian

Nunos Italian Restaurant, overlooking the Mediterranean, is popular with hotel guests, tourists and local residents. This 2 rosette rated, AA restaurant is renowned for its eclectic interior, intimate atmosphere and fine cuisine. Savour a wide selection of freshly prepared Italian delicacies, including bread, pasta, meat and fish, followed by delicious desserts. In the summer months, the hotel offers alfresco dining for private parties in the Garden Grill. Sitting nestled in the colonial garden you can enjoy a mouth-watering menu of charcoal-grilled meats and freshly prepared salads in candlelit surroundings.

Open: Mon-Sun 1-3pm lunch, 7–11pm dinner Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay Tel: 200 76501 Email: reservations@caletahotel.gi

Solo Bar & Grill Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery — perfect for business functions or lunches — and part of the popular Cafe Solo stable. Serving everything from Goats’ Cheese Salad, Mediterranean Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Beer Battered John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, and Chargrilled Sirloin Steak.

This is a delightful venue in Europort with a cosy mezzanine level and terrace seating. Well worth a visit, or two! Available for private functions and corporate events — call 200 62828 to book your function or event.

Open: 12-8pm.

Solo Bar & Grill, Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828

Café Solo Modern Italian eatery set in lively Casem a t e s s q u a re .

Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas (eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Daily specials on blackboard. No smoking.

Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449

Jury’s Café-Wine Bar Next to the Law Courts, with a terrace seating area, Jury’s has a selection of Ciabattas, paninis, baguettes and wraps, plus popular sharing dishes, such as Your Honour’s platter. Jacket potatoes, main courses, pasta and some innocent salads too. For those with a sweet tooth, there are tantalising homemade desserts, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, as well as Lavazza coffees and frappes.

Open: 7am-midnight Mon-Sat, 9am-midnight Sun. Jury’s Café & Wine Bar 275 Main Street. Tel: 200 67898

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

appetite

restaurants, bars & pubs

All’s Well

Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18th century practise of locking gates to the city at night when the guard called ‘All’s Well’.

All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod & chips and steak & ale pie plus a range of salads and jacket potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke Mondays and Wednesdays until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

All’s Well Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987

Bridge Bar & Grill Located on the w a t e r ’s e d g e , Ocean Village, just across the bridge from O’Reilly’s. This bar & grill is a fusion of an American themed menu with Tarifa chill out style. Open for breakfast from 9am serving healthy options, freshly squeezed orange juice and Italian Lavazza coffee. Try the spicy Caribbean rum ribs, southern fried chicken bucket, the popular Texas burger or a selection of tasty salads and homemade desserts. London Pride, San Miguel & Carling beer on draught, live sports.

Bridge Bar & Grill Ocean Village Tel: 200 66446

O’Reilly’s

Tr a d i t i o n a l Irish bar with full HD sports coverage and Irish breakfast from 8am (Sunday f ro m 9 a m) .

Guinness on draught.

Food includes salads, jackets, beef & Guinness pie, Kildare chicken, chicken brochette, gourmet burgers, wraps, children menu, homemade desserts, daily specials and more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

O’Reilly’s Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888

Star Bar

The Gibraltar Magazine Portland House Tel: 200 77748 Fb & Tw: @gibmag anna@thegibraltarmagazine.com www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

Lord Nelson

Situated in the corner of Casemates Square, the bar is a celebration of the life of Lord Nelson. See the collection of nautical art & memorabilia, including a brass pin from HMS Victory itself.

HMS crews’ breakfast served from 10am, full menu including steak & ale pie, traditional fish & chips & much more served all day until 10pm.

Jam session Thursday, live top local band on Friday & Karaoke Saturday nights.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 Visit: www.lordnelson.gi

Solo Express

Gibraltar’s oldest b a r, j u s t off Main St. Small cosy and famous for its full English breakfast from 8am (9am on Sunday). A full menu including fish & chips, until 10pm. The home of Star Coffee, draught beers include Heineken, Old Speckled Hen, Murphys and Strongbow cider. Managed

by Hunter Twins from Stafford, England, also home to Med Golf & Tottenham Hotspur supporters club.

Located next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a variety of salads/baguettes (white, brown, ciabatta) filled with a deli selection such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or humous, avocado & roast red pepper. Salads fresh and tasty (Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta etc), great value. Jackets, quiches, coffee plus cakes (flapjacks, muffins) available all day. Eat-in area. Soups in winter.

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

Solo Express Grnd Flr, ICC, Casemates & Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828

Gibraltar Arms

Your Restaurant, Bar, Pub, Cafe...

The Gibraltar Magazine’s appetite guide is a perfect platform to reach local customers as well as tourists. Here you can advertise all the info anyone needs to know about your establishment. Is yours the best food around? Do you cater for special dietary needs? Are your opening hours attractive?

What’s your vibe? Tell everyone on the pages of your local magazine!

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On Main Street opposite the cathedral, enjoy a meal, coffee or a cool beer on the terrace and watch the world go by!

Bar decorated with rare military plaques from regiments and navy ships visiting Gibraltar. Full breakfast menu served from 7am, draught beers on tap include Old Speckled Hen bitter, Murphys Irish stout, Heineken lager and Strongbow cider.

Gibraltar Arms 184 Main Street. Tel: 200 72133 Visit: www.gibraltararms.com

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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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 Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society: Affiliated to UK NADFAS meets third Wed of month at 6.30pm at Eliott Hotel - lecturers & experts from the UK talk on Art etc. Contact: Chairman Claus Olesen 200 02024 claus.olesen@sghambros.com.

Membership Ian Le Breton 200 76173 ilebreton@SovereignGroup.com 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: Hiphop/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 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

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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, monthtly, 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’Reillys 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 Philosophical Society: devoted to intellectually stimulating debate. Frequent lectures and seminars on a range of topics.

Tel: 54008426 or Facebook: facebook.com/gibphilosophy 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 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 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.

Chearleading 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’ cricketleague & 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 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 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 through out 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.

Mon-Thur 6.30-8pm at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre and Sat 9am-1pm at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range. Tel: Dilip 200 78714.

Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club. Junior development programme.

Courses for adults, leagues and competitions.

Tel: Louis 200 77035.

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.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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Support Support Groups Groups

ADHD & Learning Difficulties Meetings at Fellowship Bookshop Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Road. Coffee, chat, books and info on display. Tel: 54027551 or 54014476.

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.

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 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.

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.

Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance ����������������������������������������� Tel: 190 Police ���������������������������������������������������Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number Tel: 112 92

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.

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 Public Holidays 2017 New Year’s Day Commonwealth Day Good Friday Easter Monday Workers Memorial Day May Day Spring Bank Holiday Queen’s Birthday Late Summer BH Gibraltar National Day Christmas Day Boxing Day

*Monday 2nd Jan Monday 13th Mar Friday 14th Apr Monday 17th Apr Friday 28th Apr Monday 1st May Monday 29th May Monday 19th Jun Monday 28th Aug *Monday 4th Sept Monday 25th Dec Tuesday 26th Dec

*For 1st of Jan and 10th of Sept.

Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station ������������������������Tel: 200 75728 Police.................................................Tel: 200 72500 Emergency Nos: .................Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

© Shaun Farnworth

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 Gladys Perez Centre, 304A Main Street, Tel: 54007676 or 54014484.

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: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

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 JUNE 2017

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

Email your photo for the #GibsGems collection to anna@thegibraltarmagazine.com and you might see it published here!

spring festival 1.05 - 17.06 Thursday 1st June: 7:30pm

Gibraltar

Show Dance Company Choreography Festival Organised by Show Dance Company. For more info contact: showdancecom@gmail. com. John Mackintosh Hall Theatre.

Friday 2nd: 9.00pm Fighting Leukaemia with Fashion Organised by No. 1 Models.

Tickets £15. For more info contact: 54028980/54003234. Alameda Open Air Theatre Saturday 3rd: 8am onwards Fundraising Event Organised by 670SC Scottish Constitution/ Al Moghreb Al Aksa. For more info contact: islopez@gibtelecom.net. Lobby of Parliament 9am – 2pm Marocatlas 4x4 Club Vehicle Display Organised by Marocatlas Gibraltar 4x4 Club. For more info contact: Alfred Balban on 54031219.

10am – 3pm Arts & Crafts Market Casemates Square 11am – 2pm Book Crossing Organised by Gibraltar Cultural Services.

Swap books. For more info contact: 20067236 or info@culture.gi. Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned 12 noon Re-enactment Society march along Main Street to Casemates Square Sunday 4th: 11am to 4pm Classic Vehicle Static Display Organised by the Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association. Ocean Village Monday 5th: 10am – 2pm World Environment Day Organised by the Department of the Environment and Climate. An awareness day providing information on our local environment and hosting free “Connecting People with Nature” tours around Gibraltar.

For more info contact: info.environment@ gibraltar.gov.gi. Lobby of Parliament Monday 5th onwards: 10am to 6pm during weekdays

Festival

2017

Monday 5th -10th GAMPA End of Term Performance Organised by Gibraltar Academy of Music & Performing Arts. For more info contact: info@gampa.gi. John Mackintosh Hall Theatre Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th World Music Festival Organised by Gibraltar Productions. Each year, the GWMF tells the story of a region of the world or a specific style of music with the ambition of delivering the same strong values of peace, universalism and spirituality as Convivencia. For more info visit: www.gibraltarproductions.com.

Tuesday 6th to Friday 16th: 10am – 6pm Westside School Art Exhibition For more info contact: finearts@gibtelecom.net. Fine Arts Gallery, Casemates Saturday 10th: 10am – 2pm GNDO Dance Marathon Organised by the Gibraltar National Dance Organisation. For more info contact: Wendy Garro on 58009177. Lobby of Parliament 10am to 3pm Arts & Crafts Market Casemates Square 12 noon Re-enactment Society march along Main Street to Casemates Square

Mario Finlayson National Gallery

7pm to 1am

New exhibits on display. Free Entrance.

John Mackintosh Square

Organised by Word of Mouth for the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

CALENTITA

Ministry of Culture. A food and street party festival celebrating Gibraltar’s MultiCultural Community. Casemates Square Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th: 8pm Zarzuela – ‘La Corte del Faraón’ Tickets £5 from the John Mackintosh Hall reception. From 30th May from 9am to 4pm. Sale of tickets limited to 10 per person. For more info contact: info@culture. gi or 200 67236. John Mackintosh Hall Theatre Tuesday 13th to Friday 16th: 9:30 am to 9:30pm Gibraltar Heritage Trust Annual Painting Competition Exhibition Organised by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust.

For more info contact: heritage@gibraltar. gi. John Mackintosh Hall Thursday 15th: 7:30pm Corpus Christi Ceremony John Mackintosh Square Saturday 17th: 10am World Music Day Organised by Gibraltar Academy of Music & Performing Arts. For more info contact: info@gampa.gi. Lobby of Parliament, Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned and Casemates 10am to 3pm Arts & Crafts Market Casemates Square 12 noon Re-enactment Society march along Main Street to Casemates Square 93

prose words | Peter Schirmer photo composition | Kaye Falconer

VIEW FROM NEW OLYMPUS The move to the Pillar of Hercules

‘

family of gods had fled west to the Pillar of Brexit? Brexit? Sounds like one of those ‘And a fat lot of good it did him,’ her laxative breakfast foods... bran flakes father pointed out. Zeus had little regard Hercules. Their constant din was far worse or something. It’s all that this bunch of for the Greek philosophers - a bunch of than the occasional plaints and requests humans seems to talk about - that and free-thinkers, who failed to recognise his of Spartans, Athenians or Boetians which had plagued the gods before the Romans a general election’ grumbled Zeus father role in guiding human fate. came to Attica. And, of course, there was of the Olympian gods. He gestured with a liver-spotthe dreadful failure of the Greek economy ‘But Britain? Isn’t that the cold, damp ‘But Britain? ted hand at the distant which had left the locals so poor that they island where fish and chips comes Isn’t that the spread of Gibraltar’s apartno longer left wine, or fruit, or nuts as from?’ he asked, frown dispelled and cold, damp pious offerings for the gods. ment blocks, and dismishis interested awakened. Brought up island where sively slurped his morning from a stall in Casemates by Hebe the fish and chips goblet of celestial nectar. cup-bearer, fish and chips - preferably The slump in the Greek economy was the comes from?’ doused in sharp Spanish final straw as far as Bacchus and vinegar - was a newly acHebe were concerned. Free food ‘No! No, Pop, you don’t The slump and wine - simple pleasures obtained listen, do you,’ said the ever-wise Athequired taste, infinitely preferin the Greek with no effort. And they had little na, ignoring the frown provoked by her able to ambrosia cakes, which, economy difficulty in persuading the Father of casual use of ‘Pop’. ‘I’ve explained it all to at best, were difficult to obtain was the final you. It means that Britain is leaving the anywhere beyond Macedonia. the Gods (as fed up with the clamour straw as far as as were his brood) that emigration Euro-something or other - a sort of alliance Bacchus and was the logical solution. Zeus liked like Athens and Delphi and Sparta banding Macedonia, he shivered at Hebe were logical, but where should they settle? together to fight the Persians - only these the memory. The endless tidal concerned. states just squabble among each other. wave of refugees, the racket And the general election is a democratic they made as they passed ‘There’s quite a decent mountain way to help sort it out - the sort of thing Olympus, and the trail of litter they left be- more of a huge rock really - at the western old Socrates was always on about...’ hind had been one of the main reasons the end of the Great Sea,’ suggested Apollo,

94

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

prose whose daily wanderings took him over a wide area. ‘Plenty of caves, good access to the Underworld, lots of sunshine, it’s one of the Pillars of Hercules, used to be at the end of the known world.’

‘Not any longer,’ muttered Poseidon from the cloud where he had been sulking and picking at his nails with his trident after being ticked off by Hera for trailing seaweed over her brand new celestial carpet of stars and constellations, designed for her by Urania. ‘I was forced ashore there once after being bumped by a nuclear submarine.

Got motherless on duty free booze.’

‘Sounds like a good place,’ said Bacchus.

She spent ‘What’s its name? I’ll Google it.’

Ever since Hermes had done a hours in an Irish deal with a Czech conglomerate Town vintner’s Greece to this particular Pillar to establish an Olympian link to discussing the of Hercules was the dwindling something called the ‘Internet’, relative merits respect shown him by his famAthena spent much of her day of Californian ily. From the ‘Mighty Father’ of surfing the world-wide web, Chardonnay Olympian days, he was now an trawling Cyberspace for human and Spanish Americanised ‘Pop.’ And it wasn’t oddities and foibles. And she Rioja. only that... There had been so found plenty of those to talk many other changes since the about... endlessly... so that millennia of Olympic indolence; golden meals at the marble table set among the thrones... marble tables...swansdown chaisclouds of Mount Olympus were no longer es longue... Now, it was all fold-away fupunctuated with tales of the millennia-old tons and plasticised garden furniture on an doings of heroic mortals, but the more bauncomfortably rocky mountain-top which nal activities of 21st century humans and frequently trailed a depressing levanter. questions about terms or acronyms with which the gods were not familiar.

The children had changed too. Hebe, ever the most dutiful daughter, no longer Months before the Olympian family had immigrated to the New Olympus, Zeus and served a steady flow of nectar or votive wine - instead, she spent hours in an Irish Hera had begun to dread meals with their Town vintner’s discussing the relative offspring, and the accompanying trivial merits of Californian Chardonnay and chatter. And, since the move, lunch and Spanish Rioja. Artemis no longer hunted dinner centred on fast-food burgers, fries seagulls and cats were not suitable prey for and Indian or Chinese ‘take-aways’ - now a goddess, she insisted - and had, instead, as much the diet of the younger members embraced her other interest - women’s of the Olympic pantheon as the pious rights and the Feminist Cause. ‘offerings’ of mortals in their old home.

Strong traditionalist that she was, Hera insisted that breakfasts of celestial nectar and ambrosia cakes remained sacrosanct - conceding only that Zeus could spread roses lime marmalade on his. But as the posturepedic mattresses and down-filled duvets, discovered by Bacchus in Ikea during one of his rare visits beyond Gibraltar’s bars, ensured that, usually, most of their brood were such late risers that the ban had little impact.

‘Hey, Pop, you must read this report in the Chronicle - just up Artemis’ street,’ Hermes glided to his father’s stony seat, a newspaper tucked under his arm.

Zeus’ frown deepened. Among the many irritations caused by the move from central GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

‘What’ asked Zeus, ‘is a PwC?’ ‘Sounds like a euphemism for something hung-over humans do when they’ve had too much to drink,’ Bacchus muttered, as he mixed his own hangover cure - a Bloody Mary washed down with a beer-mug of Cava.

‘You mean like getting sick all over the pavement,’ Artemis’ attention had perked up at the mention of “women’s glass ceiling”.

‘No. Like... what they do, and where they do it. If you say the first letter out loud on its own and then the other two letters together, you’ll see what I mean.’

‘That’s disgusting,’ said Hera, looking up from the Spanish cookery book as she tried to discover whether manna could be substituted for rice if she made paella for lunch.

‘Don’t bother making any for me,’ said Artemis peering over her mother’s shoulder.

Bacchus was no less a disappointment.

‘I’ll pick up some tapas in Cordoba on my Always over-fond of his wine, he now way to Madrid. These Spanish senoras lived in a perpetual semi-stupor - fuelled need to put aside their clicking castaby easy access to quantities of duty-free nets and get organised. Waiting another booze in the town. And Ares had joined hundred years for equality! We’ll see about some Spanish protest group opposing the that... Bang a few heads together including presence of nuclear submarines in the Rajoy’s.’ Incensed by this new revelation Mediterranean - a stance about Spain’s failure in the field of which had infuriated women’s rights, she strode deter“These Poseidon who saw this as minedly across the Rock towards the Spanish interfering in waters which cableway. senoras need were his own. to put aside ‘Oh oh... never a good idea to meddle their clicking Hermes waved the paper in the affairs of mortals,’ said Zeus - as castanets and under his father’s nose, ever the classic role model of Hypocget organised.” reading out a headline: risy. ‘Nothing good can come of it.

PwC survey points to cracks When gods interfere, it always ends in women’s glass ceiling; but in Spain and in a mess. And humans can usually do that Germany parity is a century away. for themselves... without our help.’’

95

parenting

HOLIDAYS WITH KIDS Take them or leave them?

T

he days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, which can only mean one thing; the summer holidays will be upon us soon.

The word holiday carries an entirely different meaning once you’re a parent. Katie Kirby in her book “Hurrah for Gin” refers to them as “hellidays”, but does that always have to be the case?

Holidaying with small kids is different. Like with many situations that you have limited control over, I believe Holidays it’s best to roll with it rather than with small try to fight it. Or sweet talk some kids are a grandparents into babysitting so VERY different you can book your own child free experience escape.

out well into the evening is not frowned on at all. It is, in fact, supported by events like Summer Nights which allows families to share quality time well into the evening.

The debate seems to be mainly a UK issue as culturally, Brits generally do not take small children out at night. Some seem to be of the opinion it is less neglectful to leave their child indoors, or as is the case on holiday, in a hotel room.

to those laid back child-free vacations...

There is no denying, holidays with small kids are a VERY different experience to those laid back child-free vacations, but it doesn’t mean that without a bit of preparation, they can’t be a “different” kind of fun too.

If you’re planning a holiday of sun lounging, reading books undisturbed by the pool and drinking the bar dry until the early hours, then a holiday with kids will only disappoint you (or possibly leave you locked up in prison)! Likewise, if you spend your 96

whole holiday comparing it to that kind of holiday, you’re going to be miserable.

The infamous case of Madeleine McCann should be a deterrent enough, but it seems However, most families holiday holiday relaxation can cloud rational judgetogether and it often results in ment. Want a night out without your kids parents trying to balance time on holiday? No problem. Book a hotel that for themselves with entertaining the kids, provides a babysitting service! but where do you draw the A hot debate Can’t afford that? Well, I spoke to line? A hot debate recently resurfaced regarding wheth- recently resurfaced some local mums to get their best er you should EVER leave regarding whether advice on how to have a holiday which caters for everyone! your child to sleep in a hotel you should EVER room alone. leave your child We are fortunate in this part of the world that taking kids

to sleep in a hotel room alone.

Flying with kids

Living in Gibraltar, we are lucky to GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

parenting be within driving distance of two, almost three countries (if you’re happy to take a ferry too). You can skip the hassle of airports and enjoy a holiday in Spain, Portugal or Morocco. There is something for every budget from camping sites in Tarifa to all-inclusive hotel complexes along both Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz. However, if you do choose to fly, local mum Natalia Harrison advises choosing your flights to fit around your children’s nap times, or bedtime if it’s long haul. Equip yourself with phones/ tablets and plenty of snacks!

You can skip the hassle of airports and enjoy a holiday in Spain, Portugal or Morocco.

If you’re travelling with an under two, you can make the most of the free flights as did local mum Parys Valverde who flew to Portugal, Thailand, Singapore, UK and Australia amongst others. When taking off, give your baby something to drink to avoid ears popping. If you don’t wish to buy a pricey buggy that fits within hand luggage limits, a baby carrier or sling is incredibly useful and frees up your hands for passport checks.

tunity to relax in the evening without the fear of waking them up. This option is often more pocket-friendly too. Camping is another option which is popular for those planning to holiday with a large group of friends or family.

Where to stay

Holiday with company

Camps seem to be divided over where is best to stay. Some plump for all-inclusives or cruises with waterparks/kids club/ child-friendly spas. Aside from endless entertainment, another advantage is buffets for every meal which mean even the fussiest eater is catered for.

Want to bring the party to you? Hire a villa with friends or family! The tots can entertain one another while you get to have a good old chin wag! What’s more, if you holiday with another couple, you could even take it in turns to watch one another’s sprogs allowing each couple a date night.

However, those who prefer to do things according to their own schedule and prefer to avoid the crowds, opt for renting villas, with the advantage of the kids having their own rooms allowing parents the oppor-

Festivals Want some children’s entertainment with a difference?

Then check out one of the many small boutique festivals that take place all over the UK during the summer. Camp Bestival put on plenty to entertain all the family and The Big Feastival is sure to delight any mini budding chefs with the delicious combination of music and good food to keep you rocking all weekend.

Staycation

Now the pound doesn’t buy quite so many euros, some are opting for a staycation and why not? We often take local offerings for granted. With six beaches to enjoy, a zoo, dolphin trips, the caves, the tunnels, med steps, SUP boarding, diving, summer nights, the fair - and who Be sure to could forget the macaques? There is take plenty of photos, as these plenty to keep the family entertained on the Rock this summer.

experiences are something your family will talk about for years to come.

So, there you have it, there really is something for everyone. There is absolutely no reason why you can’t have a holiday that the whole family can enjoy. My final tip: be sure to take plenty of photos, as these experiences are something your family will talk about for years to come.

Polly Lavarello is Editor of Mum on the Rock Email: polly@mumontherock.com Web: www.mumontherock.com GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

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First prize lunch for two at

25

Completed crosswords to be returned to the Clipper by 20th June

Last month’s winner:

Suresh Nagrani Kings Wharf

across

1) Idea (6) 4) Digit (6) 9) Sealed receptacles for a dose of medicine (7) 10) Blueprint; first effort (5) 11) Romantic poet (5) 12) Proper beer! (4,3) 13) Citizen of Belgrade in former times (11) 18) Arrears (7) 20) Unit of weight for gold etc. (5) 22) Unsoiled (5) 23) Citizen of Ljubljana (7) 24) Thin cord on a guitar for example (6) 25) Process; method of operation (6)

down

1) In the neighbourhood (6) 2) Grow thin (5) 3) Disneyland’s location in Florida (7) 5) Large Asian country (5) 6) Spanish city (7) 7) Addled (6) 8) Fortune-teller (11) 14) Vague (7) 15) Nelson’s ship (7) 16) Old calculator (6) 17) Narrow and shallow piece of flowing water (6) 19) Type of fabric (5) 21) First name of Gone With the Wind’s hero (5)

Flight & Cruise Schedule - June 2017 Day Flight

Airline

From

Arrives Flight

Mon ZB7240 Monarch Gatwick 10:15 ZB7241

EZY8901 easyJet Gatwick 11:00 EZY8902

BA492 British Airways Heathrow 11:05 BA493

BA490 British Airways Heathrow 16:20 BA491

ZB064 Monarch Luton 19:10 ZB065

ZB574 Monarch Manchester 19:10 ZB575

ZB446 Monarch Birmingham 19:30 ZB447

EZY8905 easyJet Gatwick 20:35 EZY8906 Tue EZY6299 easyJet Bristol 10:30 EZY6300

EZY8901 easyJet Gatwick 11:00 EZY8902

BA490 British Airways Heathrow 16:20 BA491

ZB574 Monarch Manchester 19:10 ZB575

ZB064 Monarch Luton 19:10 ZB065 Wed EZY8901 easyJet Gatwick 11:00 EZY8902

BA490 British Airways Heathrow 16:20 BA491

ZB064 Monarch Luton 19:10 ZB065

ZB574 Monarch Manchester 19:10 ZB575

ZB446 Monarch Birmingham 19:30 ZB447

EZY1963 easyJet Manchester 20:20 EZY1964

EZY8905 easyJet Gatwick 20:35 EZY8906 Thu EZY6299 easyJet Bristol 10:30 EZY6300

ZB7240 Monarch Gatwick 10:55 ZB7241

EZY8901 easyJet Gatwick 11:00 EZY8902

BA490 British Airways Heathrow 16:20 BA491 AT990 Royal Air Maroc Tangier 18:45 AT991 Fri EZY8901 easyJet Gatwick 11:00 EZY8902

BA492 British Airways Heathrow 11:05 BA493 ZB062 Monarch Luton 11:30 ZB063

BA490 British Airways Heathrow 16:20 BA491

ZB574 Monarch Manchester 19:10 ZB575

ZB446 Monarch Birmingham 19:50 ZB447

EZY8905 easyJet Gatwick 20:35 EZY8906

ZB7244 Monarch Gatwick 20:35 ZB7245 Sat EZY8901 easyJet Gatwick 11:45 EZY8902

BA492 British Airways Heathrow 14:35 BA493

BA490 British Airways Heathrow 16:20 BA491 Sun EZY1963 easyJet Manchester 10:20 EZY1964

EZY6299 easyJet Bristol 10:30 EZY6300

EZY8901 easyJet Gatwick 11:00 EZY8902

BA492 British Airways Heathrow 11:15 BA493

BA490 British Airways Heathrow 16:20 BA491 AT990 Royal Air Maroc Tangier 18:45 AT991

ZB064 Monarch Luton 19:10 ZB065

ZB574 Monarch Manchester 19:25 ZB575

EZY8905 easyJet Gatwick 20:35 EZY8906

ZB446 Monarch Birmingham 20:40 ZB447

ZB7244 Monarch Gatwick 20:45 ZB7245

98

Departs

To

11:00 Gatwick 11:30 Gatwick 12:20 Heathrow 17:10 Heathrow 19:55 Luton 19:55 Manchester 20:20 Birmingham 21:05 Gatwick 11:00 Bristol 11:30 Gatwick 17:10 Heathrow 19:55 Manchester 19:55 Luton 11:30 Gatwick 17:10 Heathrow 19:55 Luton 19:55 Manchester 20:20 Birmingham 20:55 Manchester 21:05 Gatwick 11:00 Bristol 11:40 Gatwick 11:30 Gatwick 17:10 Heathrow 19:35 Tangier 11:30 Gatwick 11:50 Heathrow 12:20 Luton 17:10 Heathrow 20:00 Manchester 20:35 Birmingham 21:05 Gatwick 21:20 Gatwick 12:15 Gatwick 15:20 Heathrow 17:10 Heathrow 10:55 Manchester 11:00 Bristol 11:30 Gatwick 12:05 Heathrow 17:10 Heathrow 19:35 Tangier 20:00 Luton 20:20 Manchester 21:05 Gatwick 21:25 Birmingham 21:40 Gatwick

Arrival Vessel

ETD Pass

Operator

Capacity

Thu 01, 07:00 STAR PRIDE 12:00 American Windstar Cruises 212 Fri 02, 08:00 SAGA SAPPHIRE 18:00 British Saga Cruises 700 Sat 03, 12:00 ARCADIA 18:00 British P & O 2016 Mon 05, 07:00 CELEBRITY REFLECT 17:00 Int’l Celebrity Cruises 3046 Tue 06, 09:00 PAN ORAMA II 22:00 USA/Eu Variety Cruises 49 Tue 06, 10:00 INDEP OF THE SEAS 16:00 British Royal Caribbean 3600 Wed 07, 08:00 QUEEN ELIZABETH 14:00 British Cunard Line 2068 Sat 10, 08:00 TUI DISCOVERY 2 18:00 Int’l Royal Caribbean Int’l 1804 Sun 11, 08:00 SILVER SPIRIT 22:00 USA Silversea Cruises Ltd 540 Sun 11, 09:00 AZAMARA JOURNEY 22:00 USA/UK Azamara Cruises 690 Tue 13, 08:00 STAR LEGEND 13:00 Int’l Windstar Cruises 212 Wed 14, 08:00 PAN ORAMA II 04:00 USA/Eu Variety Cruises 49 Wed 14, 08:00 VENTURA 14:00 British P & O 3096 Sat 17, 09:00 THOMSON MAJESTY 15:00 British Thomson Cruises 1462 Sun 18, 09:00 SAGA PEARL II 18:00 British Saga Shipping Company 446 Mon 19, 08:00 WESTERDAM 23:00 American HAL 1916 Tue 20, 09:00 PAN ORAMA II 22:00 USA/Eu Variety Cruises 49 Wed 21, 08:00 ORIANA 14:00 British P & O 1880 Wed 21, 08:00 AURORA 14:00 British P & O 1874 Sat 24, 08:00 TUI DISCOVERY 2 18:00 Int’l Royal Caribbean Int’l 1804 Sun 25, 07:00 CELEBRITY REFLECT 17:00 Int’l Celebrity Cruises 3046 Sun 25, 12:00 QUEEN VICTORIA 22:00 British Cunard Line 1990 Mon 26, 09:00 ROYAL PRINCESS 18:00 British Princess Cruises 3600 Wed 28, 08:00 PAN ORAMA II 04:00 USA/Eu Variety Cruises 49

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE JUNE 2017

Generation 4

OPENING

SPRING

2018

120 ST YLISH AND C O M F O R TA B L E B E D R O O M S Including interconnecting and accessible rooms

S U P E R B L O C AT I O N B A S E D AT 2 1 - 2 3 D E V I L’ S T O W E R R O A D Wa l k i n g d i s t a n c e t o a i r p o r t , t o w n centre and Ocean Village

E N G L I S H A N D C O N T I N E N TA L B U F F E T B R E A K FA S T Included in room rates

FREE WI-FI And high speed internet access

(+350) 200 67890

i n f o @ h i e x g i b r a l t a r. c o m

w w w. h i e x p r e s s . c o m