Gibraltar Newsletter 2013

1Visit Gibraltar November 2013

GIBRALTARIssue 15: November 2013

Exclusive!Interview with Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun’s Eric Shaw

Gibraltar expands its ever-growing Conference and Tourism Market

Two months of music and culture hits Gibraltar this autumn as the Festival season begins.

Visit

NEW HOTELS

FESTIVAL FEVER

2 Visit Gibraltar November 2013

Cover Story


wo months of music and culture hit Gibraltar in September as the Festival season began.

The Gibraltar Music Festival took place on September 7th, with two time Brit Award winner Emeli Sande leading a host of international artists who included X Factor finalist Olly Murs, the 1980’s cult band Level 42, Scottish band Texas and Spanish group La Oreja de Van Gogh. The Victoria Stadium was filled to maximum capacity for a day of world class musical entertainment.

www.gibraltarmusicfestival.com

An impressive line up of international artists were joined by three local acts Hollie, Metro Hotel and This Side Up, who had competed over one week for the coveted spots voted for by the public.

"PLAN YOUR DIARIES FOR

SPRING 2014."

The annual two-day Gibraltar World Music Festival is part of the Spring Festival and takes place in June exploring different themes each year. It closes with the popular Street Food Fest, Calentita.

www.calentita.gi www.gibraltarproductions.com

FESTIVAL SEASON BEGINS

T


The Festival season continued in October with the 2nd Gibraltar International Jazz Festival, 17th - 19th October 2013. Following its successful launch in 2012, this year’s event was headlined by Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Band, featuring Gilson Lavis and special guest Melanie C.

Vocalists included Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall together with a return of many of last year’s popular artists such as Juan Galiardo Quintet and Arturo Ferra, Elie Massias, Kirsty Almeida, The Troubadours and The George Posso Trio.


GIBRALTAR

LITERARY FESTIVALINTERNATIONAL

THE

FRIDAY 25th TO SUNDAY 27th OCTOBER 2013

THE GIBUNCOGIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL

Speakers include:

Sam Benady • Mary Chiappe • Levi Attias • Dr Joseph Garcia • Nhean Haynes de Domecq

Dr Jennifer Ballantine Perera • Dr Clive Finlayson • Ben Okri • Ken Hom • Peter Snow

Joanne Harris • Kate Adie • Madhur Jaffrey • D.J. Taylor • Claudia Roden • Saira Shah

Sir John Holmes • Tahir Shah • Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor • Hardeep Singh Kohli

Professor Sir Paul Mellars • Kevin Crossley-Holland • Professor Paul Preston • Gavin Hewitt

Professor Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch • Robin Hanbury-Tenison • Mohammed Achaari

Roma Tearne • Professor Norman Stone • Professor David Crystal • Dr Mercedes Aguirre

Victor José Maicas Safont • Carmen Cordero Amores • Fernando Pérez Sanjuán

The Festival is organised by HM Government of Gibraltar www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com

Box Office opens as from October 7th at the Gibraltar Tourist Board

Casemates Information Office, 4/5 Watergate House, Casemates Square.

Monday to Friday 10am–12noon, Saturday 10am–1pm. Tickets also available at:

and debates on a variety of topics ranging from children’s books, to fiction, history and cuisine. The Festival was curated by the organisers of the Oxford Literary Festival and the programme reflected the rich cultural heritage that comes from Gibraltar’s juxtaposition between Europe and Africa and from the influence of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

FOR BOOK LOVERS

The Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival, Gibraltar’s first, took place from 25th - 27th October 2013 as one of the cultural highlights of the year.

The event brought together world-class writers who took part in talks, discussions

The Festival featured over 50 writers including prize winning author Joanne Harris, Man Booker winner Ben Okri and Carnegie Medal writer, Kevin Crossley-Holland. Novelist and former Moroccan culture Minister Mohammed Achaari also took part in an event, in addition to a number of Spanish authors including Mercedes Aguirre.

Culinary personalities included Chinese chef Ken Hom, Claudia Roden and Madhur Jaffrey. Other writers making an appearance were Peter Snow, making a return to Gibraltar having lived there in the 1950’s, Paul Jephson, Private Secretary to the the late Diana, Princess of Wales; Mary-Jo Jacobi, Under Secretary of State for Commerce under George Bush; Gavin Hewitt, on his book The Lost Continent: Europe’s Darkest Hour since World War Two, and journalist William Chislett.

BBC Foreign Correspondent Kate Adie brought current affairs to the agenda, while thriller writers Tom Mogford and Jason Webster, who set their critically acclaimed novels in the Mediterranean, discussed crime in the sun.

The Festival’s headquarters centred around the historic Garrison Library.www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com

Local photo credits: Leo Hayes and Javier Millan


LENNON IN GIBRALTARJohn Lennon and Yoko Ono are one of the most famed couples to wed in Gibraltar in March 1969. After his stay the Beatle was to pen his number one hit The Ballad of John and Yoko based on this time on the Rock and subsequent honeymoon.

Over 40 years later John’s eldest son Julian has created an exhibition in memory of his father in Gibraltar. The exhibition features Julian Lennon’s moving story of life with father John and the Beatles. The exhibition is being seen for the first time outside of Liverpool.

Through a personal narration of life with his father and mother, Cynthia Lennon, visitors witness an emotional roller coaster of Lennon family life.

The priceless collection includes Paul McCartney’s handwritten recording notes for Hey Jude and John’s famous Afghan Coat worn on the cover of Magical Mystery Tour LP. The exhibition is illustrated with family photos and personal postcards, together with other unique and personal items.

In Julian Lennon’s words “John Lennon is

an idol to millions of people who grew up loving his music and ideals, but to me he is the father I loved and lost. I hope this exhibition lets people see another aspect of his life and our time together as a family. This collection represents something of great importance to us as it is part of our history.”

The exhibition is being held at the Gustavo

Bacarisas Galleries in Casemates Square until December.


LAUNCH OF THE GIBRALTAR CUPGibraltar officially declared its support for the UK entry in an around the world powerboat race between the U.K. and the U.S.A. The winner will be awarded a perpetual trophy entitled The Gibraltar Cup.

Two teams, one British and one American will set off in 2014 covering 23,850 miles in a power boat race that will attempt to circumnavigate the globe in less than 50 days. To comply with World Record Authorities the teams must pass through the Suez and Panama Canals, cross the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, in addition to the start and finish place being the same. The British team will start and finish in Gibraltar at Ocean Village marina.

The boats will have a top speed of 50mph and the race will be run on averages. The current world record was set at an average speed of 16.8 knots (roughly 19 mph).

Although the boats have recognised harbours to refuel, the number of times they choose to do so is their decision. Tactics deployed are similar to those in F.1 and cloaked in secrecy.

The name of the British team boat is Team Britannia and it will be taking the route of Gibraltar, Puerto Rico, Panama, Acapulco, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, and Oman before its return to Gibraltar. The boat has a crew of 8 and its construction has been filmed and will air at a later date.

The signing of the official race launch document for the Gibraltar Cup was signed by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and its design has been created through a competition organised for Gibraltarian school children with the brief ‘Gibraltar the World’.

The progress of Team Britannia can be followed live at www.circumnavigationrecord.comwww.team-britannia.com


GIBRALTAR - ON A SCREEN NEAR YOUGibraltar - Britain in the sunGibraltar has been featured on a number of television shows through the summer gaining fans for the destination from all around the world.

In June Channel 5 screened the first series of ‘Gibraltar – Britain in the Sun’ which ran for 6 one hour episodes. The programme followed the daily lives of British expats on the Rock as well as local Gibraltarian personalities from Gibraltar’s local services including the Royal Gibraltar Police, and Gibraltar Customs Officers.

At peak times, the programme was watched by 1.8 million viewers in the United Kingdom who joined Gibraltar’s loyal fan base. Watch out next spring for series two!www.Channel5.com/show/Gibraltar-britain-in-the-sun

Top GearJeremy Clarkson and his team flew into Gibraltar during the summer to screen the opening sequence to the latest series of the popular BBC show. Although not all scenes shot were aired, the famed petrol heads much enjoyed racing an Audi R8 against a McLaren Mp4-12c around Gibraltar’s runway. www.topgear.com

Great Continental Railway JourneysMichael Portillo visited Gibraltar in June while filming for his BBC 2 series ‘Great Continental Railways Journeys’ which airs in Autumn 2013. During his visit he talked to Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, The Hon. Fabian Picardo, about Gibraltar’s extensive history. The series retraces the journeys of author George Bradshaw, in his 1913 book ‘Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Guide’, in which he travelled by rail from the north coast of Spain to Algeciras and then, having spent a day on the Rock, included a chapter in his railway guide.www.bbc.co.uk

New TricksPopular detective series New Tricks returned to the BBC in September. The series opened with a special two-part opening episode in Gibraltar, the first time the series had been filmed abroad. It featured an impressive cast of established British actors including Amanda Redman and Dennis Waterman, playing retired police officers who investigate old, unsolved crimes.www.bbc.co.uk


MINUTES WITH...5Eric Shaw is the manager of Gibraltar’s Ape Management Team and featured on the Channel 5 Documentary Gibraltar – Britain in the Sun. Originally a visitor to Gibraltar in the services, Eric returned with a passion to care for Gibraltar’s wildlife.

Here we pose some of your much asked questions about his work with Gibraltar’s famous tailless monkeys, the Barbary Macaques, more affectionately known as Barbary Apes.

Q: What qualifications do you have to have to work with the Macaques day in day out?In truth, the only qualification you need is a love for the animals themselves for want of a better word, and an inner need to understand them in the way they understand us. Believe me they do understand us, far better than we think we understand them. They have a great deal to teach us in many ways they are very much like us. If one has the patience to watch day in day out, you begin to see behaviour patterns very similar to our own. One of their great gifts is reconciliation after arguments. They reconcile with each other very fast, understanding that in a community they all need each other far more than they need to hold a grudge. The real qualification is understanding that they can teach you to show others how better to understand them. They have hundreds of thousands of people walking through their living room every year and it bothers them nought at all. You may ask why; the answer is they know we will leave, so they carry on with life regardless. If only we could do that.

Q: What does a parent Barbary Macaque weigh?The average weight of a full adult Macaque is around 17 kilos.

Q: What age does the average Barbary Macaque live to?The average age of a Macaque is around 20 years, but they can live much longer.

Q: Are they creatures of habit?They are very much creatures of habit, much in the same way we are. However, they adapt far faster than we do to their changing environment.

Q: How much does a Macaque eat in a day?It’s not how much they eat but what they need. However, when it comes to food they are very much like children; if it’s there and it’s what they like they try and eat it.

We give them each and every day 550 grams (a little over half a kilo) per animal, more than that and they will not forage, as

there would be no need. Then they have more time on their hands to wander far and wide, in short, go to town and visit everywhere that takes their fancy-restaurants, scaffolding with kitchens to pillage, mug the odd tourist, and convince everyone who encounter them that they are starving! When the truth is, they have time on their hands, and with time on their hands they do what we do, what they like where they like. In short, we convince ourselves in a blink, when the truth is they are using us because they understand us better than we understand ourselves.

Q: What’s the hardest part of your job?The hardest part of our job, is trying to make people understand, that watching and not interacting with the Macaques is the only way forward. If you just watch them, photograph them, but don’t interact with them, they understand in less than 30 seconds that they cannot control you or coerce you to give them treats, so they move on to those they can manipulate.

You have to remember they are people watchers, and they see more of us than we do of them. The tour operator may think as they say, only we can do this! little knowing the monkey trained them, to do each day every day what they do, provide them with what is equivalent to a free drink or meal to ourselves. They are the true Anthropologists. Q: Where else in the wild can you find Barbary Macaques?Barbary Macaques are found in Morocco and Algeria. They were found in Tunisia a little over a 100 years ago, but alas no more. Nevertheless, this would be the ideal place to reintroduce them. We have opened avenues to this possibility of reintroduction, and at some future date I believe this will happen. As disposable wealth takes us to more natural locations within the Mediterranean, the touristic pull of these unique animals will provide the flagship species that these locations lack. Gibraltar, for its part in the protection of this endangered species, is the only location on the planet that I know that could provide them with their future needs.

Q: Do you have a favourite Ape?A question I am asked quite frequently. There are many that come to mind, Aristotle, Moon, Blondie née and Valaine, are four that come to mind. Aristotle for his part is forever questioning you with his facial expressions. You find yourself having a silent conversation with him using body language, only to wonder if it was fate that

Eric Shaw

"THE REAL QUALIFICATION IS UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY CAN

TEACH YOU TO SHOW OTHERS HOW BETTER

TO UNDERSTAND THEM."

CHANNEL 5 LOGO


had you name him what you did, such a wise young monkey. Moon who is forever young and brings a smile to the faces of all my team. When he watches, each and all of us, we are never sure who is studying who with Moon.

Blondie born raiding a carob tree with an arm full of carobs, like a child pinching apples, arms so full he has to run upright with his stolen fruit under the eyes of the Alfa male, what a character. Valaine, the

one and only, everyone who sees her is taken by her quick glance. “What a beautiful monkey” people say. “I don’t know what it is about her” they will say, but she is so striking. Like most people, we glance and form an opinion, but we don’t listen to the mind, it’s telling us what we have just seen, but it is lost in the glance.

Valaine has blue eyes the only blue eyed monkey we have. She seduces you with a glance. How could I have a favourite when each and everyone is so glaringly individual.

Q: How can visitors to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve help the environment?Help the environment by understanding that you are part of it, look at it and I mean look at it Feel yourself within it. The monkeys don’t mind you being there. They carry on their way of life as you pass through it. Look closely; take photos of what you see. But most of all, take a little time to feel it - you do it when you visit great cathedrals! When you are in a nature reserve, on a mountain, in a forest you are in mother nature’s cathedral. You need a little time to listen; you know you have felt it when you catch yourself taking a deep breath.

Q: Where’s your favourite place to relax in Gibraltar?We start at 7 in the morning, rain or shine. By 8:30 the city below us is well out of bed on a week day. About this time you can look and see their world come alive, and you catch yourself taking that deep breath. You look up at the sky, none are the same, they are all different, each day every day, and you are in this living cathedral that has so much history you think it will swallow you.

Where is my favourite place to relax? On the top of The Rock as the sun rises. It may only be a moment, or less, but it breathes life into you as only great cathedrals can.


Gibraltar Nature

A number of key tourist sites have recently undergone refurbishment work and improvement. The Great Siege Tunnels, Moorish Castle, the 100 Ton Gun exhibition, St. Michael’s Cave, Jews’ Gate, the Apes’ Den, the Gibraltar Cruise Terminal and the Waterport Fountain have been given enhanced or new accessible facilities. This has included improved access at St. Michael’s Cave where a specialised lift has been installed at the entrance to enable guests to view the Cave from the first landing. New facilities have also been installed for those with impaired hearing. Further improvements to assist visitors with impaired vision are part of future updates.

MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO KEY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE UPPER ROCK

This year has also seen the renovation of the Devil’s Gap footpath. The works have made the path more accessible in a similar way to the Mediterranean Steps a favoured walk by ramblers to the Rock. It lies between the junction with Flat Bastion Road in the southern direction and joins Baca’s Passage in the northern direction. This street is the quickest route by foot from the city centre to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. A footpath known as the “public footpath to town” leads up from where Devil’s Gap Road meets Baca’s Passage and joins Green Lane near Devil’s Gap Battery in the Nature Reserve. This street is also known as the Union Jack Steps or the Referendum Steps and was

originally painted in 1967 to celebrate Gibraltar’s first sovereignty referendum of that year

Future works include the installation of new signage on the Upper Town area to provide clear directions for those walking to and from the Upper Rock in this area and to assist visitors on route to the Nature Reserve.


The Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park (AWCP) is one of Gibraltar’s hidden gems in the heart of the stunning Botanical Gardens. While Gibraltar’s most popular tour takes visitors around the sights of The Upper Rock Nature Reserve, which includes the famous Barbary Apes, St Michael’s Cave and the Siege Tunnels amongst other attractions, the AWCP is another must see attraction for any visitor to Gibraltar.

It began in 1994 as a small collection of parrots, tortoises and monkeys, that had been confiscated by customs officers from illegal traders passing through Gibraltar. The wildlife was then passed on by the authorities to the trusted care of the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural

THE ALAMEDA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK

History Society (GOHNS).

It was decided that as it grew, opening the Park would educate the public about the illegal animal trade and also to learn more about local wildlife conservation. The Park is home to both exotic and native species and an increasingly essential role is the conservation of threatened species.

The work of the Park has also become fundamental in caring for native species that are being considered for introduction to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, such as the Red Fox, the Raven and Barbary Partridge. Other reptiles at the Park include the Green Iguana, the Spur-thighed Tortoise, the Terrapin and the Chinese Water Dragon. Mammals include

the Prairie Dog, Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig and a Pig-Tailed Macaque. A range of exotic birds are also resident such as the African Grey Parrot, Yellow Fronted Amazon, the Monk Parakeet and the Senegal Parrot.

Twice a year the Park opens its doors for fun days with free entrance and a range of activities that include a bouncy castle, keeper talks, fancy dress, face painting, feasts with the beast, lucky dips and educational workshops for children aged 4-9 years operate during half-term.

Daily updates from the Park can be found on Twitter @awcpPark and on facebook or visit the website www.awcp.gi

13Visit Gibraltar November 2013Photo Credit to Gerard Kelleher


This year Gibraltar commemorates the 300th year anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht which was signed on July 13th 1713. Article X of this historical document formed part of a series of individual peace treaties that ended the wars of the Spanish succession. It was signed in the Dutch city of Utrecht, by representatives of Louis XIV of France and his grandson Philip, Duke of Anjou (Philip V of Spain) on one side, and representatives of Anne, Queen of Great Britain, The Duke of Savoy, the King of Portugal and the United Provinces on the other. In the terms of the agreement, the Spanish King ceded all of Gibraltar, its town, castle, port and forts, to the British Crown in perpetuity.

It was a significant piece of legislation that has shaped the heritage of the British Gibraltarians today.

To commemorate the day of the signing of the document and to remember this period of Gibraltar’s history, a number of small events were staged by the Gibraltar Museum including a replica period printing press, together with costumed re-enactors using original techniques to print copies of the frontispiece to the Treaty.

Copies of The Treaty of Utrecht held at the Garrison Library were on display to the public and a period costume fancy dress competition was run for children.

The Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau has issued two stamps for the tercentenary. The 10p and 42p stamp feature the United Kingdom flag and a quote from Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht. “….forever without any exception or impediment whatsoever.”

www.gibraltarstamps.com

A 7,500 year old polished axe, from the Neolithic, was excavated by archaeologists working in Gorham’s Cave, further endorsing the presence of people on the Rock at the critical time when agriculture and farming were arriving in the west from the Middle East. Preliminary analysis of the 11cm axe which would have been hafted onto a wooden handle, suggests that it may have been a ceremonial piece, particularly as it is beautifully shaped and covered in red ochre.

The part of the axe that would have been attached to the handle lacks the ochre, leaving an imprint of how it would have been attached. The stone axe is made from a greenish rock which is not found in Gibraltar and one possibility being studied is that it is from a type found only in North

GIBRALTAR COMMEMORATES THE TERCENTENARY OF THE TREATY OF UTRECHT

NEOLITHIC AXE FOUND IN GORHAM’S CAVE

Africa. If this is confirmed, it will provide clear evidence of maritime contact across the Strait of Gibraltar at the time.

The archaeological digs at Gorham’s Cave are part of the preparations for the bid for World Heritage Status in 2015.

Further information reflecting Gibraltar’s archaeological records can be found at the Gibraltar Museum. The Gibraltar Caves Project was started in 1994. These sites were occupied by Neanderthals during the Middle Palaeolithic from at least 90,000 years ago until around 31,000 years ago.

Deposits show evidence of more recent occupation by Modern Humans.

www.gibmuseum.gi


The Lester Hotel Group has announced plans to develop a new hotel in Gibraltar. The new building in Devil’s Tower Road will comprise of approximately 160 bedrooms and suites along with 3,000 square meters of modern office space and other hotel amenities.

Simon Lester, Chairman of Lester Hotels, described the hotel as complementing the new air terminal facilities and adding accommodation and facilities for tourists, business and the local community. Describing The Lester Hotel as the next generation of modern premium budget hotels with four star standard air conditioned bedrooms and limited hotel services, so you only pay for what you need.

Bedrooms will be designed to a four star standard and the top floor will be designed as a Club Floor where each bedroom has an adjoining lounge that converts into a boardroom for executive meetings. There will be a gymnasium exclusively for guests and The Hub on the ground floor will incorporate a coffee shop, bistro and bar. The first three floors will be dedicated to office space with approximately 1,000 s.q.m on each floor. The hotel will be designed as environmentally friendly as

THE LESTER HOTEL COMMENCES BUILDING WORKS

possible and every effort will be made to minimise the carbon footprint of the new building. Work is expected to commence in 2013, once the relevant planning permits have been issued and relocations have been completed.

New Theatre For GibraltarGibraltar’s old Queen’s Cinema in Boyd Street has been purchased by the Government of Gibraltar to transform it into a theatre that has been named the ‘Queen’s National Theatre’. The cinema has been closed for several years but was once a focal part of the Gibraltarian community, being used not only as a cinema but as a theatre, concert hall, meetings venue and the venue of the Miss Gibraltar pageant. The refurbishment is planned for completion in 2015.


NEW SIKORSKI MEMORIALA new memorial dedicated to General Wladyslaw Sikorski, the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army and Prime Minister of Poland who was killed in exile in 1943, was dedicated by Vice Admiral Sir Adrian Johns, Governor of Gibraltar on the 70th anniversary of the crash.

The memorial, which replaces the second of three commemorative dedications was relocated to Europa Point, close to the Lighthouse and Harding’s Battery. Its design was based on a concept by the late Charles Caruana, Bishop of Gibraltar, who had a long interest in Gibraltar’s connection with Poland and in Sikorski’s history and memory.

This is the third memorial to commemorate General Sikorski’s death. The first in January 1945 consisted of a plaque designed and constructed by a Polish company made from sandstone and was positioned at the east end of the runway of what was then RAF North Front and is today Gibraltar International Airport.

In 2003, the RAF donated the plaque to the Government of Gibraltar and a new monument was erected, consisting of a plinth on which the plaque was mounted along with a propeller recovered from the crash. However, its position proved too restrictive to accommodate the number of Poles that visited the site each year and a new position and updated commemoration was allocated.

Dedication of the new structure took place on July 4th 2013, the 70th anniversary of the crashed B-24 aircraft. The occasion was attended by the His Excellency The Governor Vice Admiral Sir Adrian Johns KCB CBE KStJ ADC, who described General Sikorski as ‘a man who lived and died as a fearless soldier and indomitable champion of the Polish cause’. British, Polish and Gibraltarian Government officials, alongside past and present members of the Polish Armed Forces, were also in attendance. The President of Poland, said in an address read on his behalf that he wished for the memorial to ‘symbolically point at those highest values which are common to us: brotherhood and freedom.’

The new design is a semi-circular construction with the B-24’s propellor from the previous memorial remounted onto a new plinth. A disc of sandstone from Szydlow in Poland is set into the ground forming the base. Behind the disc is a semi-circular wall upon which a carved Polish military eagle stands. The Polish Naval pennant and Air Force emblem are embedded at opposite ends of the wall. Tablets name the other 15 victims who also died in the crash.


In its first year, new reality golf and Formula 1 racing venue, The Golf Box, has strongly established its niche amongst a corporate clientele offering team building and incentive days for local businesses and visiting conference groups, this year hosting Chesterton, Deloitte, Bwin Party, Ladbrokes, and Petfre.

Offering golf and racing corporate days, events are structured around team challenges. Golf tuition in top PGA instructors is also available. Using state of the art simulators, the E6 live motion software offers incredibly realistic graphics and each projector screen has been researched and tested for optimal performance. The venue offers one of the most diverse high tech integrated sound and video systems in Gibraltar with two 210” cinema screens adaptable for video presentations.

The venue suits groups of 8-60 pax, with a varied casual dining menu.

For further information:www.thegolfbox.net

GOLF BOXCorporate News

GOLF BOXTOURNAMENT NEWSGIBRALTAR’S ROCK MASTERS

The Gibraltar Tenpin Bowling Association in association with the European Tenpin Bowling Federation ran the 2013 Rock Masters in May. This year trialled a Plate competition to keep those bowlers who didn’t make the finals involved. This proved a great success and a two year agreement promoting the Rock Masters and a series of other tournaments in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar will take place in the coming season.

www.rockmasters.eu

TRADEWISE GIBRALTAR CHESS TOURNAMENT

The 2014 Tradewise Gibraltar Chess tournament will take place on Monday 27th January – Thursday 6th February at its home base The Caleta Hotel. This prestigious event in the international chess calendar has been billed by the Sunday Times, as one of the most prestigious open tournaments in the world with a top prize in 2013 of £20,000. The Junior event which was started in 2011 also offered a prize fun of £10,000 in 2013 and takes place in August.

www.gibraltarchesscongress.com

GIBRALTAR DARTS TROPHY

World Champion Darts player Phil Taylor claimed top prize at this year’s Gibraltar Darts Trophy which took place in June adding another crown to his long list of wins this year.

www.pdc-europe.net


GIBRALTAR’S FIRST 5* HOTELThe Sunborn Sails Into GibraltarThe Sunborn Gibraltar, a five star 150 million euro, grand yacht hotel, has arrived into Gibraltar’s Ocean Village, in its new custom built berth. Guest access to the vessel is via a faced entrance and an enclosed glass bridge.

The purpose built 189 room yacht stands at a height of seven storeys and 142 metres in length. 90% of rooms have outdoor space, and all with full height glazing to capture the Mediterranean views. The hotel will feature fine dining restaurants including a panoramic restaurant with sun terraces, a grand ballroom, cocktail and lounge bars, a spa and fitness centre, concierge and abundant conference facilities which will bring a new level of deluxe hospitality to the destination.


Designed to meet very high environmental EU standards as a European Green Building, the Sunborn features high-end innovative eco-friendly technology. The hotel yachts are designed with zero discharge and emission policy and will not be using engines or generators while in mooring.

The Sunborn brand is destined for some of the most iconic cities around the globe – the original is permanently moored at Naantali Spa Resort in Finland, Sunborn London sits at the western end of Royal Victoria Dock and Sunborn Barcelona is currently under construction with further vessels for the fleet planned for New York, Hong Kong, St Petersburg, and Tokyo.

The hotel opens its doors in November 2013. Room rates range from £200 for a standard room including breakfast to £2000 per night for the top suite.

Sunborn is offering a special pre opening 24-hour rate for MICE clients of £295 which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as full use of the conference facilities and coffee breaks. This rate applies for reservations confirmed by the end of 2013.

www.sunborngibraltar.com

Ingredients:• 2 cl Beefeater 24 Gin, • 2 cl Chase Elderflower liqueur, • 2 cl pomegranate syrup, • 3 cl fresh lemon juice, • 1 egg white, • Dash of Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s Dandelion & Burdock Bitters,

Glass: Collins Garnish: Fresh pomegranate seeds.

Method: Dry shake egg white, add other ingredients and shake. Double strain.

Gibraltar Blush


Gibraltar has been accepted as a fully-fledged member of UEFA, allowing its national team and clubs to take part in international competition.

UEFA’s annual congress voted in favour of a motion to allow Gibraltar to become its 54th member. A new 8,000 capacity stadium has been commissioned and is anticipated to be ready for the Euro 2016 qualifying competition, when the national team is likely to make its debut in international competition.

Following its highly publicised launch in Southampton, the newly christened Royal Princess sailed into the Port of Gibraltar in June, on its maiden voyage to the Mediterranean. Several days earlier the ship, part of the Princess Cruises fleet, was christened by its godmother, H.R.H. the Duchess of Cambridge.

Gibraltar marked its inaugural visit by awarding the first passenger off the ship as it docked, a complimentary weekend for two, sponsored by carrier Monarch Airlines and accommodation by the Rock Hotel.

Royal Princess is the 9th largest ship at sea weighing 141,000 tonnes.

GIBRALTAR JOINS UEFA

A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT FOR THE PORT OF GIBRALTAR


UK Sales Manager Ian Leyde has been visiting travel agents and conference buyers around the country. Here are some of the questions he’s been asked.

Lynne Kirby of Enable Holidays...asks: IS THERE GOOD WHEELCHAIR ACCESS IN GIBRALTAR?

Wheelchair access is increasingly available at the key attractions in the Upper Rock area and in the centre of the town. A full listing of sites with access is available from the Tourist Board on request.

Don’t forget you can learn all about Gibraltar at our online training programme with lots of prizes and chances for family holidays. www.gibraltartraining.com

Contact me at 020 7836 0777 or [email protected] or follow my tweets @visit_gibraltar

DON’T FORGET!

Ask Ian

Gemma, of Fred Olsen Travel, Ipswich…asks: WHAT CRUISE SHIPS OPERATE ITINERARIES THAT INCLUDE GIBRALTAR?

Gibraltar is visited by a number of cruise lines each year with over 200 ships calling into Port.

The following are cruise lines which have recently visited Gibraltar.Fred Olsen, Cunard, P&O, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Star Clippers, Celebrity, MSC, & Voyages of Discovery.

Amy from Thomson, Birmingham City Centre …asks:WHAT FLIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE NORTH OF ENGLAND?

There are several options for flights from the Midlands and Northern England. Monarch Airlines operate regular flights from BHX, Birmingham Airport, and MAN, Manchester Airport. This is in addition to flights to Gibraltar from, LTN, Luton. easyJet operates a LGW, London Gatwick service and British Airways flies from, LHR, London Heathrow.

Michael Martinez, Travel Counsellor…asks: IS IT POSSIBLE TO VISIT THE LOWER ST MICHAEL’S CAVE?

Visits to the Lower St Michael’s Cave can be coordinated through the Gibraltar Tourist Board. As it is quite an active adventure and requires climbing, holding onto ropes and access underground, it is not recommended for all, but a qualified instructor is at hand to take visitors down. The underground lake for those that do participate in this activity is quite spectacular.

Abigail from Deben Travel…asks:WHICH UK TOUR OPERATORS FEATURE TOUR PROGRAMMES TO GIBRALTAR?

There are four tour operators who feature Gibraltar in their brochures, and are members of the Gibraltar Tourism Association. The operators are: Classic Collection Holidays, Cresta, My Gibraltar, & Superbreak.


What visitors are saying about

Gibraltar

“want a short break in the sun with

friendly locals loads of history and £ as

currency? It ’s got to be @visit_gibraltar”

@Bygones_Torquay

“Top of the Rock,

one of the most

spectacular views

in the world.”

Bill Todd

“Walking on the Rock and visiting

St Michael’s Cave. I have visited

Gibraltar 5 times and will be

coming back one day. Hello from

Québec, Canada..”

Robert Dubé

“Main Street on any

weekday morning

and Saturdays!”

Francis X Adamberry

“Alameda Gardens

...beautiful.”

Susan Baker

“A good time to visit Gibraltar

is National Day in September,

if you can attend you shall

love the Gibraltar welcome”

@royalstmagazine

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The Gibraltar Tourist Board accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies within the information carried in this newsletter. All details are correct at the time of going to print.

WIN MARKS & SPENCER VOUCHERS

To enter, simply send us your name, address and daytime telephone number and answer the following question.

Which Beatle star got married in Gibraltar?

Name: ....................................................................................................................

Address: ................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................

Daytime Contact No: .............................................................................................

Terms and conditions apply: Entrants must be over 18 years old. The prize cannot be redeemed for cash

and is non-transferable. All staff members of the Gibraltar Tourist Board and the UK Gibraltar Tourism

Association are exempt from entry. The draw will take place on 28th March 2014

Please post or fax back your entry to:

Gibraltar Tourist Board, 150, Strand, London, WC2R 1JA

Fax: +44 207 240 6612

£100

The winner of the October 2013 newsletter competition is Ms Tara Munson, Ambassador Travel, 5 The Broadway, Cheam, SM3 8BH who wins £50 of Marks and Spencer vouchers.

NEW GRAND PRIZE!


Gibraltar House (London Office)150 Strand, London WC2R 1JA T: +44 (0) 20 7836 0777F: +44 (0) 20 7240 6612E: [email protected]: www.visitgibraltar.gi

Gibraltar Tourist Board (Gibraltar Office)Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, GibraltarT: +350 200 74950F: +350 200 74943E: [email protected]: www.visitgibraltar.gi

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Gibraltar Newsletter 2013

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Transcript of Gibraltar Newsletter 2013