Bmibaby collapses, Gib flights end in September

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GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle/Dominique Searle) Low fare carrier bmibaby is set to close later this year, threatening the loss of hundreds of jobs and the ending of its flights. And a statement on the company’s website stated that flights Gibraltar will cease this coming September. Various bmibaby routes, including Gibraltar, that will continue to operate up to and including Sunday, September 9, 2012. The carrier transferred to International Airlines Group, the owners of British Airways, last month, but consultations have now started with unions about its closure in September. The GMB union said it was “devastating” news, especially for the East Midlands, where hundreds of jobs are now threatened with the axe.

Earl and Countess of Wessex to visit Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR (Agencies)  The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, are scheduled to visit Gibraltar of June 11 for a three-day visit. The royal visit is part of the celebrations for the Queen's Jubilee throughout the Commonwealth. According to GBC, among the events the Earl and Countess will attend are a parade and a dinner, both to be held on the day following their arrival. It is expected that the population of Gibraltar will come out in force as a way of showing its loyalty to Britain. The reaction in Spain, on the other hand, is likely to have the visit seen as a provocation, particularly by politicians, many of whom have in  the past used royal visits as a means of raising tensions regarding the sovereignty of the Rock and its waters. (See GBC Newswatch report)

Boiling hot arrest

(Photo: eruropasur.es)

GIBRALTAR Customs announced yesterday in a press release that a 41 year old Spanish national had been detained by them as his van was about to leave Gibraltar with two boilers aboard. On closer inspection, the boilers contained 19,200 Winston cigarettes, or 96 cartons. The man, whose name has not been released, was freed on bail to appear in court on the 19th. The vehicle and its cargo were placed 'at the disposal of Customs.

Brilliant Spanish pianist to hold 'encounter' at Instituto Cervantes

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GIBRALTAR More than just a concert, renown pianist Joaquín Achúcarro is coming to the Instituto Cervantes to offer what he calls 'an encounter' titled Memorias y Experiencias (Memories and Experiences). A good friend of his, and ours, says that it is wonderful to hear him speak. Zubin Mehta has said of him: "I have only heard this sound from Rubinstein." You can see what others say when you click on the image. The date is this coming Wednesday, Feb 22, at 7pm.

All of Gibraltar's bank holidays

GIBRALTAR (Thanks to Sheila Churchill) Below you will find a list of all of Gibraltar's official bank holidays, including a new one for May 1st, not surprisingly called 'Workers' Day as it is established by the GSLP. There are a total of 13 of them so far, and the next one is on March 12th, Commonwealth Day. Further investigation might elicit, if we could be bothered to get down to the research, might say that bank holidays on the Rock are more prolific than almost anywhere else in Europe. That may or may not be true and we'll rely on you, Dear Reader, to do the research ... (Thought to ponder: Why is it Workers' Day, or Labour Day, and nobody works?)>>>

‘La Roca’ gets 2 Nominations for the Andalusian Cinema Awards

GIBRALTAR/LA LÍNEA (Press release) The epic love story between the rock of Gibraltar and the Spanish bordering town of La Linea keeps surprising us. The Andalusian Scriptwriters Association yesterday announced the nomineed for the 2012 Andalusian Cinema Awards. ‘La Roca’ has been selected in 2 categories: Best Documentary Film Best Original Score. Director Raúl Santos was moved and grateful when he heard the news: “You wouldn’t believe how many doors were closed for us in the making of this film. The great reception of the audience and professionals is the best gift we could get for our crew.” Regarding the nomination of composer Miguel Torres for Best Original Score, the director admitted that “Miguel is one of the hidden gems of Andalusian talent. I am sure that he will have many other opportunities to surprise us.” ‘La Roca’ is a feature documentary that premiered in Spain at the Seville European Film Festival, where it received the Golden Giraldillo for Best European Documentary. Three screenings will take place in San Roque next week so that up to 2,000 citizens of Gibraltar and the neighboring Spanish area can celebrate the nomination with the filmmakers. This event has been organized by the Ham Radio Museum and the City Council of San Roque. More information about the film, EPK and advance tickets at http://www.larocamovie.com. See the trailer below>>>

GIBRALTAR (Press release) The Royal Gibraltar Police has received information to the effect that a Credit Card scam is currently being carried out on members of the public in Gibraltar. The scam involves the victim receiving a telephone call from somebody claiming to be from Microsoft. The victim is then informed that there is a serious virus on their computer and that they have a programme which will remove it for a standard fee. The caller, who calls himself James Smith then asks for the credit card and personal details. Once they have this they are able to use it to make illegal purchases on the Internet.The RGP says it wishes to bring this to the notice of the public. Microsoft, a reputable company, would not call up and ask for credit card details in such a manner. The RGP urges members of the public not to give out any information regarding their credit cards to anyone who they do not know.The RGP also wishes to highlight the need to protect personal data relating to credit cards. Documents such as account statements and even transaction slips will contain card details, which the fraudsters can use to scam their victims. Therefore due care should be taken when disposing of these types of items to prevent them coming into the hands of criminals.If any member of the public requires advice on this matter they can contact the Financial Crime Unit of the RGP on telephone No. 20072954.

Rain in Spain marks beginning of Autumn

SPAIN The rain in Spain is pretty much everywhere today. Marking the real beginning of Autumn and a Winter close behind, the large front travelling from West to East has almost the entire country in an alert of one colour or another. No need to take it personally, then, because Cantabria, Navarra, Álava, Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa and Asturias is on an orange alert for heavy wind, while almost the entire remainder of the country (Madrid, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, Sevilla, Huesca, Zaragoza and Cantabria) is on yellow for both rain and wind. As we have said before, it is notoriously difficult to get an accurate forecast for the Campo de Gibraltar because the 'spine' of mountain ranges cuts through the area, ending on the Rock (though in fact continuing through to Africa and the mountains across the straits). For a fairly accurate daily forecast you can check our WeatherWidget on the sidebar:

Fitting memorial for Freddy Field

CASTELLAR At 11 this morning, Rosemary Field handed the Mayor of Castellar, Juan Casanova, an olive tree and a plaque that will be placed at the entrance to the cine theatre in memory of her husband Freddy Field, who died last December. Among many friends and family Freddy was remembered for his love and commitment to Castellar, where he lived for the last five years of his life. An emotional Rosemary said that this had been her husband's wish. Freddy, whose mother was from Jimena and had a British father, was born in La Línea. He lived in Gibraltar for most of his life and died aged 52 on December 5, 2010. He will be remembered by Castellar as>>>someone who first became involved in helping Ian and Victoria Cann to raise money for an X-ray machine for the village health, fund raising in all manner of ways and later via the production of a pantomime. Freddy's involvement with Castellar also included raising funds for repairs to the side door at the Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de la Almoraima, also under the Canns' direction.

European birdwatch in Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR (Panorama) Millions of migrating birds will leave Europe in these weeks flying to their wintering places in Africa. BirdLife International invites people in Europe to take the opportunity on the weekend of October 1 and 2, 2011, (This weekend!) to discover the fascinating world of bird migration. The European Birdwatch is an annual event comprising hundreds of nationally organised activities. On these observation posts the number of birds and participating people are counted and reported via the national centres to the European centre. In the last years around 60,000 people took part in 34 countries and close to three million birds were observed on this single weekend. In 2011 the event is coordinated by SVS/BirdLife Switzerland, which is acting as the European Centre to process these data. Locally, GONHS (Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society) will once again be hosting EuroBirdwatch, as Gibraltar BirdLife Partner organisation. Programme below.>>>

Gibraltar pharmacy withdraws Nurofen alert packets

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle / Press releases) GHA has followed a notification of a drug alert UK by issuing a statement yesterday in regard Nurofen Plus tablets. One local pharmacy, Ocean Pharmacy, has withdrawn six packages from one of the batches identified in the alert, officials said. The alert was sent by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This medication is not prescribed by GHA doctors, but rather it is an over the counter preparation available in pharmacies. The GHA immediately notified each of the Gibraltar pharmacies of the recall of the product and the affected batch numbers (below).>>>

Classic car rally coming through Jimena on Sunday

We've just published an item on CampoPulse announcing that the Classic Vehicle Association of Gibraltar is holding its 10th Anniversary Rally over this weekend and will be driving through Jimena on their way to Colmenar on Sunday. Read all about it.

HMS Invincible, waylaid in Straits, to be converted into eGaming centre

GIBRALTAR (Source: GibChronicle: and, no, we didn't fall for it either!)In a dramatic turn HMS Invincible, the decommissioned Royal Navy aircraft carrier which was being towed to Turkey to be scrapped, was late last night diverted to Gibraltar as it entered the Strait. A Greek high net worth resident has reportedly purchased the vessel and plans to convert it into a floating office complex for the gaming industry. Lawyers for the unnamed billionaire said that the current shortage of office space and the added attraction of landing facilities for private jets and helicopters made this an ideal alternative in the style of floating hotels. Additionally he felt that the heritage value would be much appreciated and a boost to local tourism.>

Justice Minister stabbed in Town Centre

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle/Agencies) Justice Minister Daniel Feetham was rushed to St Bernard's Hospital after being stabbed in the back by a man in Library Street. The incident occurred late lunch time today in the presence of witnesses, including Mr Feetham's family. A statement from 6 Convent Place said that although the alleged aggressor wielded a large knife, the injuries were said not to be life threatening. A man was arrested close to where the incident occurred.

Tito Benady is honoured by the Instituto de Estudios Campogibraltareños

Yesterday's inaugural ceremony for the 11th edition of the Instituto de Estudios Campogibraltareños (IECG) , held over this weekend at the Rena Sofía Cultural Centre in Estación, included a tribute to the significant figure of Tito M. Benady (left in photo, with Alejandro Mogollo), as well as to that of José Regueira, the Official Chronicler of Jimena. Born and raised in Gibraltar, Tito Benady has been working on the social history of Gibraltar for many years and in 2000 was awarded an MBE by the government of Gibraltar for his work. In 1993 he founded a history journal published for the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and also a founding member of the institute that organizes this event. His long list of publications, many available on Amazon, include:>

Pushmepullyou politics continues as usual

"...as it has for altogether too long, especially when it comes to jurisdiction over waters (Sorry, I couldn't find a picture of a PMPY in the water). China and Japan are at it over a tiny island over on the other side of the world. Just across the Atlantic and a big squidge further down there are some islands that for me were the Malvinas in the morning and the Falklands in the afternoon (this needs more explanation but would send me right off track). Closer to home was the farcical invasion of the even tinier island of Perejil (Parsley Island for a rock sticking out of the water, for God's sake!) by Moroccan troops some years ago, an invasion heroically thwarted by valiant Spanish soldiers. Much closer is Gibraltar." So starts the latest article on The Alexander Bewick Soap Box. Read on.

Former Marbella mayor not allowed to enter Gibraltar to visit girlfriend's parents

JIMENA/GIBRALTAR/MARBELLA (Photo: CampoPulse files) Julián Muñoz, the former Mayor of Marbella facing umpteen law suits about his time in that position, was told by one of the judges handling his many cases, that he is not allowed to go to Gibraltar to visit his Gibraltarian girlfriend's parents. Muñoz is an almost permanent resident at his girlfriend Karina Pau's  home in Jimena, where he can be seen at many local establishments; indeed, she used to run one of these in Estación de Jimena (a.k.a. Los Ángeles) with a former partner (photo). Although Muñoz has had his passport removed, one can enter Gibraltar legally on a Spanish ID card. (Prospero note: I ran into him at the petrol station washing his car the other day. And my best regards to Karina, whom I haven't seen for a long time.)

Gibraltar apologises to Spain for 'extremely serious' RGP police incident in San Roque

The Government of Gibraltar has apologised to its Spanish counterpart for the improper action of two Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) officers who searched a house in La Línea and seized evidence without permission from the Spanish authorities. The matter is already under investigation by a Spanish judge at Court Number 2 in San Roque. The matter first came to light in the media on the front page of ABC (image) and was soon taken up by the press and television, although the incident itself took place on August 4 (as we reported here with information available at the time) when a jewelry shop owner was mugged as he was opening his store. Reports differ on what happened next, but from what we are able to gather the two men allegedly involved in the mugging, (See full story on CampoPulse)

'Carracao: The toll will never happen' says Panorama

GIBRALTAR / Panorama / David Eade in Spain None other than our good friend David Eade interviews the former Mayor of Jimena and now PSOE Senate spokesperson for foreign affairs José Carracao. This is his article: As the row between the government in Madrid and La Línea town hall, or PSOE and the PP – depending on which way you look at it, enters the legal phase the socialist senator José Carracao has stated emphatically – the toll will never happen. Carracao has the benefit of knowing the Campo de Gibraltar and the Rock well from his time as mayor of Jimena and president of the local association of town halls. He also speaks in the Senate for PSOE on foreign affairs with a special emphasis on Gibraltar and cross border relations.>(Read the rest of the article on CampoPulse)

Are you keeping an eye on CampoPulse?

Our partner site CampoPulse is full of news about the Campo de Gibraltar in general. We are beginning to publish our Jimena articles there as well, in preparation for moving everything over there. However, in the meantime, we urge you to have a look at the sidebar, where a selection of the latest articles are listed under the Did you miss anything on CampoPulse? heading. Preponderant among the subjects to be found on CampoPulse is the current La Línea 'congestion charge' situation, which is updated daily and that is affecting many of our readers, and will certainly do so in the future if things continue as they are. So keep an eye on CampoPulse to get the latest for your town or village. (Photo: mollymccloy.com)