Rock Talk 3 - Friends of Gibraltar

ROCK
TAL K
Issue No3 October 2009
Contents
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Chairman’s Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Your MEPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Friends’ News and Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 - 8
Gibraltar Heritage Trust News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
National Week in Pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 - 11
Military News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Holy Trinity Cathedral Gibraltar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 - 15
Meet Pepe Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Calentita Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Editorial
Welcome to Rock Talk number 3. In this issue
we have reports and pictures of our recent
events and also some photos from Gibraltar
National Week celebrations As well as our
regular features, Heritage Trust and Garrison
news, we have contributions from the three
representatives of Gibraltar in the European
Parliament.
We are delighted that two of this year’s
recipients of Gibraltar’s Medallion of Honour,
Joe Gaggero CBE and Maurice Xiberras, are
Members of our Society. This award, made by
the Gibraltar Parliament and presented by the
Mayor, goes to people who have made an
exceptional contribution to Gibraltar, and we
congratulate Joe and Maurice on a well-deserved
honour.
We also have a competition! Albert Poggio has
very kindly agreed to provide a bottle of
champagne for the winner, so when you’ve read
Rock Talk, do let us have your answers to the
questions below. Please send answers, with your
name and contact number or address to Hilary
Wines, Friends of Gibraltar, 150 Strand, London
WC2R 1JA, or email to [email protected], by
1st December. Albert will draw the winner from the
correct entries and we will notify them and arrange
for presentation of the champagne.
Competition Questions
1) What post did the new governor of Gibraltar,
Sir Adrian Johns, hold until recently?
2) What year was Holy Trinity Cathedral
completed?
3) Which part of Britain is also represented by
the 3 MEPs for Gibraltar?
Rock Talk is your magazine, and we do welcome
comments, letters and any suggestions for articles
– or articles themselves! Please don’t hesitate to get
in touch if there is anything you’d like to say. And
thanks to all the Friends for your interest and
support – and special thanks to Albert and staff for
their help and friendship. Please help us to do even
better by encouraging more Friends to join us.
Rock Talk is published quarterly by The Friends of Gibraltar, 150 Strand, London WC2R 1JA
Registered Charity no. 295082
Company registered in England no. 02047307
Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
Chairman: Sir Francis Richards KCMG CVO
Hon. Secretary: Janet Whiteley
Membership Secretary: Hilary Wines
Webmaster: John Borda
President: The Baroness Hooper CMG
Vice-Chairman: Major General Simon Pack CB CBE
Hon. Treasurer: Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden
Executive Committee Secretary: Richard Wells CBE
Rock Talk Editors: Richard Wells and Hilary Wines
2 ROCK TALK October 2009
Chairman’s Letter
Dear Friends of Gibraltar,
This is now the third edition of Rock Talk,
and I am very pleased to be able to say
that, since the Society widened its remit
and started to publish our new magazine,
membership has increased and the
Friends now number well over 300.
The Society continues to organise
interesting and successful events for all the
Friends. In July the annual lunch was held at
the House of Lords, kindly hosted by Baroness
Hooper, the Society’s President, and 60
members attended. In September we held
the second special evening meeting at
Gibraltar House, at which the speaker was my
successor as Governor, Sir Robert Fulton, as
he comes to the end of his three-year posting.
We were delighted that with him we could
welcome the new Governor, Vice Admiral
Sir Adrian Johns, the former Second Sea
Lord. Sir Robert’s talk was followed by the
reception in which, as usual, Albert and the
staff of Gibraltar House did us proud, with a
warm welcome and excellent food. On
September 26 there was a trip to Bletchley
Park, the wartime code-breaking centre,
attended by over 40 friends and guests,
which was most informative and fascinating.
You will find reports and pictures of these
events in this edition of Rock Talk. In our next
edition we will certainly be including a report
of the annual seminar and dinner, which this
year is held at a new venue,Winchester.Your
Committee is already planning ahead to
organise next year’s events, including, of
course, the Annual General Meeting on
February 10th and the Friends’ June trip to
Gibraltar – more details will be in Rock Talk
number 4.
It is very good to see both new friends and
old at these events and to realise how useful
they are, not only because they are in
themselves of interest but because they
provide an opportunity, afterwards or during
breaks, for informal networking and
exchange of information. Please do try to
come along to future events if you can, and
bring your friends – guests are always
welcome.
As before, I must express my thanks to the
Board members who have continued to work
hard to make sure that they offer you a good
and helpful service, with properly organised
events and information. In particular, my
thanks must go to Albert Poggio OBE and
everyone at Gibraltar House, who, in spite of
a very heavy workload, always find the time
to assist the Friends Committee members in
any way possible, and to give a warm
welcome to you all.
Please do continue to encourage any
friends or colleagues with an interest in or
connections with Gibraltar to join the Society,
so that we can not only increase knowledge
of the Rock but arrange more and different
events of interest to you all.
With best wishes to you all,
Francis Richards
ROCK TALK October 2009 3
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Your MEPs
Giles Chichester MEP
I must admit to enjoying the reaction of
people when I explain that I represent South
West England and Gibraltar in the European
Parliament. It is clearly a distinction as well as
a privilege. Not many can claim a constituency
with extremities a thousand miles apart.
Gibraltarians, and anyone who knows the Rock,
will not be surprised at the alacrity with which
people offer to accompany me on a constituency
visit or to do some campaigning during
election time.
We Conservatives feel strongly about the
importance of representing Gibraltar in the EU
having been closely involved in the campaign to
achieve and stand up for Gibraltarians’ right to
protection of their status by HMG when there were
suspicions of a Foreign Office wish to appease
Trevor Colman MEP
My one visit to Gibraltar was just before the
2004 EU elections when I accompanied Graham
Booth, the South West UKIP MEP. From an
electioneering point of view it was a disaster but
for me it was an eye-opener.
We had flown into a Spanish airport and then
driven the rest of the way. I was amazed that we saw
no ‘Gibraltar’ signposts until we were virtually in
the shadow of The Rock. For the Spanish, I was later
told, Gib’ doesn’t exist, it’s all Spain. Hence the
understandable resentment I sensed in the border
Graham Watson MEP
On November 7 2002, the people of Gibraltar
delivered the British and Spanish governments
a clear and powerful message; one that
displaced any legal or diplomatic wrangling
going on in London and Madrid. Almost 99% of
Gibraltans said “no” to shared sovereignty and
“yes” to retaining the existing relationship with
Britain.
As a liberal, a democrat and a representative of
Gibraltar, it is my duty to uphold the wishes of my
constituents. I will work to ensure that Gibraltar is
allowed to exercise the freedom it is guaranteed.
I am proud to have represented Gibraltar in the
the Spanish authorities.
My South West Conservatives colleagues, Julie
Girling and Ashley Fox join me in placing great
importance on the task of continuing to represent
and defend Gibraltarian interests whenever our
assistance is needed. I am a regular visitor to the
Rock and look forward to the next opportunity of
meeting as many people there as possible.
In the meantime I am always ready to help with
any specific issues or constituency casework.
South West Conservatives MEPs’ doors are always
open to our Gibraltarian constituents. In turn, I
shall continue to keep in close touch with the
Government of Gibraltar to assist them with issues
on which they may need our help in pursuing at
EU level.
Above all I am proud to represent Gibraltar and
get much pleasure in reminding Spanish MEPs
of that fact!
police but it doesn’t say much for co-existence
within the greater EU.
I found life on The Rock to be a mixture of
Mediterranean colour and variety living cheek by
jowl with British collars and ties, the North African
heat cementing everything together. The place is
unique and so is its relationship with Britain. The
Lisbon Treaty will soon be imposed on Britain and
Gib’ resulting in a growing British backlash against
the EU. UKIP will be visiting Gibraltar during the
coming months and if Gibraltarians feel as we do,
come and meet us. You might be surprised in what
you hear.
European Parliament since July 2004 and to have
been able to fight for its rights.
For example, in January 2007 Gibraltar’s football
team was refused entry into UEFA as a result of
Spanish political pressure. Similarly, environmental
laws have been manipulated in attempts to justify
incursions by Spanish ships of British-Gibraltar
waters. I have drawn attention to these abuses in
Brussels and Strasbourg.
In both these cases, and in many other ways, the
European Union has a key role to play in defending
the rights of the Rock. As an organisation that
places the rights of citizens over national
prejudices, the EU should be instrumental in
defending Gibraltar.
ROCK TALK October 2009 5
Friends’ News and Events
The Governor meets The Friends
On 23 September Lieutenant General Sir
Robert Fulton KBE, Royal Marines,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of
Gibraltar since September 2006, spoke to a
meeting of The Friends at Gibraltar House in
London. He was heard not only by his
predecessor in the Convent, our Chairman
Sir Francis Richards, but also by his
announced successor as Governor, Vice
Admiral Sir Adrian Johns, who is to arrive on
the Rock on 26 October.
this insight with them. Though many of us know
the Rock well, from Sir Robert we learned more:
from the new and indeed elevated angle of the
Governor’s office.
After he had answered a number of
questions from the floor, a reception was held.
Members were able to talk not only to him but
also to Sir Francis, Sir Adrian, and the Gibraltar
Government’s representative Albert Poggio.
Sir Robert had begun by saying he had
once been told that Gibraltarians like their
Governors to have a past but no future. But The
Friends send him not only their warm thanks for
a fascinating and enjoyable evening but also
their best wishes for the future after he leaves
the Rock.
Friends’Visit to Gibraltar 2010
The annual visit to Gibraltar will take place
next June as usual. A number of interesting
visits are being researched by the Gibraltar
Heritage Trust, including Gorham’s Cave,
the World War II tunnels, the Upper Rock,
the new Airport and the Court House.
Unfortunately at the time of going to press
we can‘t give an exact timetable, as this
depends on the date of the Queen’s Birthday
parade and – it is hoped – the Governor’s
garden party, and these haven’t been
definitely fixed.
However, it is possible to book as usual with
Cadogan, flying with BA and staying at the Rock
Hotel. The arrangements are:
Depart London Heathrow 6th June 07:55,
Arrive Gibraltar 11:50
Return 13th June, departing 12.40 and
arriving 14.35.
Under the Constitution the Governor is the
representative in Gibraltar of Her Majesty The
Queen and is responsible for Gibraltar’s
external affairs, defence, and internal security.
This naturally gives him a unique insight into
Gibraltar and its small but many-faceted
community. It was a privilege for The Friends
that Sir Robert should come to share some of
6 ROCK TALK October 2009
7 nights at the Rock Hotel
Twin room Sea View £517.50,
two adults sharing;
£604 single occupancy
Twin Room Sea View and Balcony £555,
two adults sharing;
£658 single occupancy.
To book please contact Jenna at Cadogan on
her direct line: 02380 828417
Friends’ News and Events
On 26 September a party of forty, Friends
and their guests, led by Field Marshal Sir
John Chapple, visited the Government Code
and Cypher School at Bletchley Park,
famous for vital contributions towards
winning the Second World War.
It was here, forty miles from London and
from Cambridge, that British cryptanalysts
succeeded in reading intercepted enemy
signals encrypted with the Enigma machine,
which the Germans thought invulnerable.
The buildings had been at risk of demolition
when the Bletchley Park Trust was formed in
1992 and opened the site to visitors the
following year. The Trust still relies heavily on
public support and volunteer help to continue
its efforts. Several of the buildings are in bad
repair, and despite some generous donations
and much success in attracting paying visitors,
fundraising is still an anxious occupation for
Bletchley’s small staff.
The Deputy Director told us the story of
Operation Goldeneye, developed by Ian
Fleming, which in 1941 took him from Bletchley
Here, too, that the world’s first programmable
computer was built in 1943-44, the
“Colossus” which broke the Lorenz cypher
machine.
Expertly guided round the Park by Brigadier
Tim Pulverman, we heard the stirring story of
the thousands of people who worked at
Bletchley Park and all faithfully kept the secret
both during the War, and for long after, until it
was revealed to the public in 1974. Churchill
called them his “geese that laid the golden
eggs, but never cackled”.
Park to Gibraltar. “Station X” at Bletchley
decrypted intercepted German Secret Service
communications between Madrid and Berlin
and thereby unmasked an infrared searchlight
system, codenamed Bodden, which the
Germans had set up on the Spanish and Spanish
Moroccan coasts to monitor shipping through
the Strait.
The Friends enjoyed a day of absorbing
interest, and Rock Talk wishes Bletchley Park
the secure future it deserves as a museum of
historic national importance.
Top Secret Ultra
ROCK TALK October 2009 7
Friends’ News and Events
THE FRIENDS OF GIBRALTAR
ANNUAL MEETING AND BUFFET RECEPTION
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS 2010
This will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 10th February 2010 at Gibraltar House 150
Strand London WC2R 1JA (The office of the Gibraltar Government) next but one
door to Somerset House.
Members and Friends who signify their intentions to attend are requested
to send a cheque for £15, per person made payable to The Friends of
Gibraltar not later than Wednesday 27th January 2010 to:
Ernest Reading
171 Charlton Road
Kenton, Harrow
Middlesex HA3 9HT
Tel: 020 8206 0120
Mobiles: 02904 216 446
07757 544 437
E-mail: [email protected]
The Chairman will give a short address and welcome the members and Friends
present and the buffet will follow.
Please note that the door will not open before 5.30 pm, and that as the catering has
to be paid for, persons who signify to attend and fail to do so will be asked to pay
except in unavoidable circumstances.
Name: ………………………….......................................…………………………………..
Address: …………………………...…………...................................………………………
…………………………………………………….……. Post Code: ………...........…………
Tel: …………………...............................…. Fax: …………................……………………
E-mail: ……………………...................................…………………………………………..
8 ROCK TALK October 2009
Gibraltar Heritage Trust News
years he has dedicated to the preservation
and protection of Gibraltar’s Heritage. Mr
Frendo’s eye for detail and his positive attitude
towards heritage preservation is an example
to all.
Heritage Awards 2009
One of the aims of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust
is to raise awareness about Gibraltar’s urban
fabric and the importance of conservation.The
Trust works very hard to achieve this aim
through representation on the Development and
Planning Commission and through close
liaison with the Gibraltar Government’s
Heritage Division and other agencies.
As well as pushing for the heritage-sensitive
sustainable development of Gibraltar’s historic
buildings, it is important for the Trust to focus on,
and celebrate, the positive heritage related
projects which have been completed within the
community and the individuals and groups which
consistently contribute to the improvement of our
historic environment. As a Trust we have a great
many battles to fight, but there are some success
stories and it is these that we celebrate through the
Heritage Awards.
A call for nominations is put out to the public in
the February of each year. Anyone can nominate a
building, person, group or company for these
awards. The Heritage Award nominations for 2009
saw a good selection of quality projects being
submitted for consideration. Standards as always
were very high and the Board did not have an easy
time choosing the recipients.
The results of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust
Awards for 2009 were:
•
The Senior Heritage Award was conferred on
John Frendo in recognition of the many
•
The first Group Heritage Award was awarded
to The Town Range Barracks in recognition of
the redevelopment of this early 19th Century
row of military barracks into apartments.
•
The second Group Heritage Award was
granted to The Old Naval Hospital in
recognition of the sensitive way the site has
been redeveloped.
In both instances, the heritage-sensitive
approach to the redevelopment of these sites is
a credit to all involved, developers, architects,
contractors, and the residents who are now the
custodians of these buildings.
•
The first Individual Heritage Award was
awarded to Richard Labrador for the restoration
of John Snow House an ex-MOD married
quarter in the South District dating to 1903.
•
The second individual Heritage Award was
awarded to Wayne Estella for the recovery of
5 Hargrave’s Parade an example of Gibraltar’s
local architecture which has been brought
back into use as a home from near-derelict
condition.
The Awards were presented by the Hon. Peter
Caruana, Chief Minister, at the Trust’s office, the
Main Guard in late June earlier this year.
ROCK TALK October 2009 9
National Day
Hilary Wines was in Gibraltar for National Day on 10th September, when another
great day was had by all. Here are a few of the pictures she took, including Albert
Poggio with visiting MPs Lindsay Hoyle and Mike Penning, and the wonderful
celebration cake at La Morna.
10 ROCK TALK October 2009
On Saturday 19th September the Red Arrows provided a stunning display of
acrobatic flying. Scores of spectators watched the display from a flotilla of small
boats as well as from every one of the Rock’s south-facing vantage points.We hear
that the pilots thoroughly enjoyed their short time on the Rock and that they are
keen to return soon to provide us with another brilliant display.
GIBRALTAR BOOKSHOP
The Penguin Bookshop
300 Main Street, Gibraltar
Tel: (350) 200 71894
Gibraltar’s Book Shop for all fiction and non-fiction
Yachting Books • Pilots and Manuals • HMSO Nautical Almanacs
Guide Books and Maps in Stock
PAPERBACKS • HARDBOOKS
We specialise in books on Gibraltar
Military News
Commander-in Chief’s flying visit to the Rock
Commander-in-Fleet Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor
Soar, paid a flying visit to Gibraltar on Juky 28th.
During his few hours on the Rock he visited HMS
BULWARK and RFA WAVE RULER as they neared the
end of their six month TAURUS deployment.
After paying visits to Windmill Hill Signal Station
and the armament Depot, Admiral Soar went to sea
on Gibraltar Squadron’s HMS SCIMITAR before
returning to RAF Gibraltar and boarding his flight
back to UK.
Promotion is
announced
On September 27th, His Excellency
the Governor, as Commander-in-Chief of
the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, announced that
Major Colin Risso MC has been selected for
promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and for the
appointment of Commanding Officer of
the Regiment. He will succeed Lieutenant
Colonel John Perez MBE in January 2010.
ROCK TALK October 2009 13
Gibraltar Cathedral
By the Very Reverend Dr John Paddock, Dean of Gibraltar.
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Gibraltar is
the magnificent Cathedral of the Church of
England Diocese in Europe.Within it stands the
“cathedra”, the chair of the Bishop of Gibraltar
in Europe, the “cathedra” being the sign of the
Bishop’s office as the guardian and teacher of
the Church’s faith. Like all churches, the
cathedral is a sign of God’s presence in his
world, a meeting place for the Church of Jesus
Christ, and a place of refreshment in the Holy
Spirit for all who choose to use it.The Church of
England Diocese in Europe is huge.The Bishop
of Gibraltar in Europe (Bishop Geoffrey Rowell)
has pastoral and sacramental oversight over
chaplaincies throughout a vast area of the globe
including Russia, Eastern and Western Europe,
and chaplaincies in North Africa.
So Gibraltar Cathedral is a place of very great
significance not only for the people and life of
Gibraltar, but also for other peoples and nations
14 ROCK TALK October 2009
throughout Europe, because it is a recognised and
official sign of the unity of the people of the Diocese
with our Bishop and with one another and with
history. When they pray for and think about the
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, they pray for and
think about Gibraltar and the people of Gibraltar.
It is also a valuable and secure link with England
and the Church of England, established by the laws
of England. Thus it has an important civic role,
prayerfully supporting the Institutions which
historically have made, and today continue to make
our society free and safe. The cathedral is a sign of
hope, stability and integrity, a house of prayer for
all nations, and an Embassy of God. The Cathedral
stands for and by those eternal values which give
peace, freedom and true liberty.
It has been the place where individuals and
groups have celebrated their joys and lamented
their sorrows, put before God their hopes, and
asked for strength for their realities, always
knowing that it is a place of peace and strength for
the soul. Even before it was completed, it was a
refuge for the needy: in 1828, for example, it served
as a hospital for the Yellow Fever epidemic victims.
The building was completed in 1832 and
consecrated in 1838. The cathedral has a
fascinating and important history in the life of
Gibraltar and its people: but you can find out much
more about it from the booklet on its history that is
available on the bookstand, “The Cathedral of the
Holy Trinity, Gibraltar” by Dorothy Ellicott.
In its own right the building has an architectural
charm and design elegance inside and out. It is
both classical and Moorish in style, another
reminder of the rich history and culture of
Gibraltar. The “Rock of Ages” Appeal has been
trying to raise funds for its renovation and
refurbishment, and work is well underway to
restore its appearance. When the scaffolding
comes down and the covers are off, it should again
be a glorious building. The appeal has been
supported by former Governors of Gibraltar, eight
of whom are quoted on the appeal leaflet.Talking of
the rich and varied heritage of Gibraltar, the Chief
Minister, the Hon Peter Caruana is quoted as saying
“The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is a critical part
of that heritage which we cannot afford to lose. I
urge all Gibraltarians and our friends in the UK and
elsewhere to join us in backing this vital project”.
Gibraltar Cathedral has also been fortunate in
having the Archbishop of Canterbury as Patron of
the appeal, showing how important the Cathedral
is internationally.
So the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity stands as a
reminder of those strong and important links with
England, and with Europe; it also stands as a
welcoming friendly beacon of light and respect for
the other faiths and philosophies of surrounding
continents. It is part of the heart and soul of
Gibraltar, and its daily round of praise and prayer
to God gives nourishment and sustenance to the
human soul. Long may it continue to give
inspiration to all who see it, or go inside it, or who
lovingly think about it from afar.
ROCK TALK October 2009 15
G I B R A L T A R ’ S F R E S H
P R O D U C E S U P P L I E R
Rock Talk congratulates
Friends of Gibraltar Joe
Gaggero and Maurice
Xiberas on their award of
the 2010 Gibraltar
Medallion of Honour
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See Page 2
An interview with Pepe Forbes
“Making friends and keeping them
is what is important to me”.
Joseph (‘Pepe’) Forbes was a founder member
of the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage and one of the
best- known and most popular people in Gibraltar
– and among the Friends – he is now aged 92 and
still regularly attends our events. We asked him to
tell Rock Talk something about his fascinating life.
Pepe went to school at Line Wall College, run by
the Christian Brothers, but left at 12 years old
because he was really only interested in horses. As
a teenager he trained and cared for horses in Spain
but came to England in 1936, when he lived in
Camberwell. He got to know top jockey Charlie
Elliott, and through him was introduced to the world
of boxing, becoming friends with famous boxing
names such as Mickey Duff, Harry Levine and Jack
Solomons, and becoming a promoter himself,
spending time at the famous Thomas a Beckett
boxing pub in the Old Kent Road.
He started arranging fights for British boxers in
Spain and continued to do so when the Frontier
closed and British-Spanish relations were at their
lowest. While in Spain he was always insistent on
referring to himself as a British Gibraltarian, but
retained the respect and admiration of the Spanish
for his fairness and commitment. In fact, after
General Franco’s death, he had the courage to
contact members of his family, and was criticised
in some quarters for this, but he explained that this
was done our of simple courtesy because he knew
them and certainly did not imply anything but
complete support for Gibraltar and his own people.
Pepe was much valued by the European Boxing
Union for his knowledge and experience and his
ability to speak several languages was often of
great help when arranging matches between
boxers of different nationalities. At one time, Pepe
recalls, at the European championships there were
five officials and three judges – all from different
countries and, thanks to him, all got on well with no
problems. He received an award, of which he is
very proud,“For his long and appreciated support
and devotion”, signed by the President and
Secretary of the European Boxing Union – and also
carries a card entitling him to attend any boxing
match in Spain free of charge. He relates one
incident when, being told by one Spanish official
that he wanted something in return for his payment
for trips to and from Britain, he asked what was
required – and was told that what the Spaniard
really wanted was some English trifle!
We asked Pepe to tell us one of the stories for
which he is well known.With a twinkle in his eye he
told us about the man who didn’t want to stay in
Gibraltar and fight when the women, children and
sick were evacuated at the start of the last war. In
the hope of going with them, he went to the doctor
and complained that he had suddenly gone blind.
The doctor told him to wait for a week and see if
this continued. During the week the man stayed at
home, afraid to be seen in public, but, getting
bored, ventured a trip to the local cinema, where it
would be dark and he could go unrecognised. To
his horror, however, when the lights went up he
found that he was sitting next to the doctor. Quickly
keeping his cool, he turned to him and said,
“Excuse me, sir, can you tell me if this is the right
bus for Catalan Bay?”
Pepe now lives with his wife Violetta in
Southwark, near Tower Bridge Road.They have five
children and several grandchildren – we are
pleased to be able to say that both Pepe’s
daughters are members of the Friends. He says
that, when he looks back over his life, he has the
satisfaction of a job well done. The most important
thing for him has been making friends and keeping
them – and he has certainly managed to do this.
A true Gibraltarian, a strong supporter of the
Friends and a great companion, we look forward to
seeing Pepe at many more events in the future.
ROCK TALK October 2009 17
Calentita
From Wikibooks, the open – content textbooks collection
Calentita – the quintessential “ Yanito” dish. Every Gibraltarian knows how to cook calentita! Or so
they should, it is a matter of national pride.
It is believed this dish is based on the Genoese “farinata” which is cooked thinner and often with toppings
whereas calentita is cooked in a deeper pan and is never topped with anything but black pepper.
The name “calentita” has a most interesting history. When Gibraltarian evacuees returned to Gibraltar
after World War II many were forced to live in cramped and often inadequate housing. Not all homes had
workable ovens and people cooked mainly Spanish style stews (potajes) and similar dishes. However, the
local bakeries took advantage of this and would use their ovens in slack periods to make calentita which was
sold by street vendors (this had been the fashion before the war when almost no-one had an oven at home).
The clentita would be baked in a large low pan (similar to a frying pan of diameter about 90cm with two small
grab handles) with a metal hinged lid. The vendor would then walk along the streets on the Rock shouting
his wares. His shout would be similar to this: “La llevo caliente, calentita! Calentita, caliente!” A simple
translation would be: Hot!
Come and get it! I still have it
hot!” Caliente means hot and
calentita is an endearing
version of hot! Everyone
would rush to him and buy a
portion which was invariably
about 8cm by 5cm and cost
6d (about 21/2 p of today’s
money) and was served on a
piece of greaseproof paper.
The vendor would sprinkle
ground black pepper on it
and off you went.
Ingredients
250g chickpea flour
1 litre of water
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Procedure
Mix chickpea flour, water and
salt/pepper in a bowl. Leave
to stand, preferably overnight.
Preheat oven to 175C (350F).
Take a tin 9x6 in (15x23cms)
or oven dish and put enough
oil to cover the bottom of tin or
bowl. Heat in oven.
Then spread hot oil up
sides of tin with a pastry brush
or by tilting. Stir mixture and
pour immediately into tin, and
put back in oven for about 1
hour approximately or until
set in the middle.
Leave to stand for a while.
Good for two or three
servings.
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