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19 AUTUMN TRENDS
RISE OF THE SOFT GIRL ERA
WOMEN IN BUSINESS: NICOLA PROBYN
FROM PERFECTIONISM TO PROGRESS
www.gfsb.gi
Are you a business looking to thrive in today’s competitive landscape? Join a thriving network dedicated to supporting your success By joining forces with hundreds of other businesses, you’ll amplify your voice, increase your influence, and achieve more together than you ever could alone.
GIBRALTAR’S OWN COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FEATURING BUSINESS, MOTORING, SPORT, WOMEN’S FASHION, HEALTH & WELL BEING, CULTURE,LOCAL EVENTS AND SO MUCH MORE.
Each month, Community Insight magazine is distributed across Gibraltar - from banks, gyms, and offices to the World Trade Center, clinics, the University of Gibraltar, the GFA, and major car dealerships. With engaging, high-quality content, each issue remains on display throughout the month and beyond, keeping your brand visible and top of mind.
T h e r e a s o
n e s s P l a n ?
To be truly successful, you need to be looking ahead. You need to plan for your growth. To help with that process, business growth plans should be written, which provide a timeline for the next one to two years on how revenue can increase.
WHAT IS A BUSINESS GROWTH PLAN?
A business growth plan is an outline for where a company sees itself in the next one to two years. The growth plan should be formatted to follow along with each quarter. At the end of each quarter, the company can review what goals it met and what goals it missed during that period. At this point, management can revise the business growth plan to reflect current market standing.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR GROWTH STRATEGIES?
There are countless growth strategies for businesses, but only four major types. With these growth strategies, you can determine how to build on your brand:
Market strategy: A market strategy refers to how you plan to penetrate your target clientele. This type of strategy isn't intended for entering a new market or creating new products and services to boost your market share; it's about leveraging your current offerings. For instance, can you adjust your pricing? Should you launch a new marketing campaign?
Development: This strategy means looking into ways to break your products and services into a new market. If you can't find the growth you want in the current market, a goal could be to expand to a new market.
Product strategy: Also known as "product development," this strategy focuses on what new products and services you can target to your current market. How can you grow your business without entering new markets? What are your customers asking for?
Diversification: Diversification means expanding both your products and target markets. This strategy is usually best for smaller companies that have the means to be versatile with the products or services they offer and what new markets they attempt to penetrate.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A BUSINESS GROWTH PLAN?
A business growth plan focuses specifically on expansion and how you're going to achieve it. Creating a useful plan takes time, but the effort can pay off substantially by keeping your growth efforts on track. You should include these elements in your growth plan:
• A description of expansion opportunities
• Financial goals broken down by quarter and year
As another calendar year soon draws to a close, many company executives and business owners will be analysing the annual results and assess the overall performance of their business. Like always, the ultimate objective is to achieve business growth and improvement, in a variety of indicators. However, in many cases, be it in Gibraltar or in other countries, businesses fail to PLAN for growth and just operate from one month to another without a clear strategy or defined business goals.
• A marketing plan of how you will achieve growth
• A financial plan to determine whatcapital is accessible during growth
• A breakdown of your company's staffing needs and responsibilities
If your business has grown to encompass a series of departments or divisions, each with its own targets and objectives, you may need to draw up a more sophisticated business plan.
The individual business plans of the departments and separate business units will need to be integrated into a single strategy document for the entire organisation.This can be a complex exercise but it's vital if each business unit is to tread a consistent path and not conflict
with the overall strategy.This is not just an issue for large enterprises - many small firms consist of separate business units pursuing different strategies.To draw up a business plan that marries all the separate units of an organisation requires a degree of co-ordination. It may seem obvious, but make sure all departments are using the same planning template.
EMPHASIS ON TARGETS AND OBJECTIVES
A successful business plan should incorporate a set of targets and objectives.While the overall plan may set strategic goals, these are unlikely to be achieved unless you use SMART objectives or targets, i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.
Targets help everyone within a business understand what they need to achieve and when they need to achieve it.You can monitor the performance of employees, teams or a new product or service by using appropriate performance indicators. These can be:
• sales or profit figures over a given period
• milestones in new product development
• productivity benchmarks for individual team members
• market-share statistics
Targets make it clearer for individual employees to see where they fit within an organisation and what they need to do to help the business meet its objectives. Setting clear objectives and targets and closely monitoring their delivery can make the development of your business more effective. Targets and objectives should also form a key part of employee appraisals, as a means of objectively addressing individuals' progress.
Whatever your vision is for the New Year, make sure to set some time aside and write that Business Plan for growth, and if you need any professional advice doing it, just get in touch with us!
Eran
Shay, Managing Director Benefit Business solutions
www.BenefitGibraltar.com
TURICUM PRIVATE BANK TAKES SIGNIFICANT STAKE IN HASSIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT AS PART OF NEW PARTNERSHIP
Turicum Private Bank a privately owned bank and wealth management firm, today announces that it has taken a significant stake in Hassium Asset Management a leading wealth management specialist, effective 20th October.
This new partnership marks Turicum’s first tranche of activity in the UK, as part of the firm’s wider ambition to expand its footprint into this market. Both Turicum and Hassium share decades of experience providing personalised asset management services with tailored investment portfolios. Turicum’s specialism in regulatory compliance, risk management and corporate governance combined with Hassium’s expertise in global financial markets and actively managed investment solutions will provide existing and future clients with additional services, alongside wider international reach.
As part of both firms’ dedication to a personal service, all clients will continue with their current investment mandates with no changes to the team running them on a day-to-day basis and relationship managers. However, this strategic milestone will enable all clients to benefit from exposure to a wider range of banking services and investment advice.
Andreas Businger, CEO and Executive Director of Turicum Private Bank, said:
“This partnership represents an exciting landmark for Turicum, as our first physical presence in the UK and part of our long-term vision. Hassium’s experience and long-standing reputation, with its focus on offering independent, trusted advice based on personal relationships, aligns perfectly with Turicum’s own ethical values. We are confident that Yogi and his team will strengthen and increase the value we offer all our clients and look forward to expanding our reach in London and the UK in the coming years as we develop our tailored solutions to a broader range of clients looking to safeguard and grow their wealth.”
Yogi Dewan, CEO and founder of Hassium Asset Management, added:
“As founder of Hassium, I feel great comfort knowing that Hassium has found a strategic partner that shares our professional values and provides new synergies. Joining Turicum
grants us access to more resources, support and capital particularly in the areas of compliance, operations and technology from which all our clients will ultimately benefit, and we are excited to embark on this new partnership.
Chief Minister
meets Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch MP
the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, met with the Leader of the Conservative Party, the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, during his visit to London this week.
The meeting took place as part of the Chief Minister’s series of high-level engagements in the UK capital surrounding Gibraltar Day in London. Discussions focused on Gibraltar’s close and historic relationship with the United Kingdom, continued cooperation in business and trade, and the shared commitment to prosperity and opportunity across the British family of nations.
The Chief Minister said:
“I was delighted to meet Kemi Badenoch and to hear her reaffirm the Conservative Party’s steadfast commitment to Gibraltar. We share the same belief in building prosperity through partnership, and in strengthening the enduring bond between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom based on shared values, mutual respect and our British identity.
I took the opportunity of our meeting to take Mrs Badenoch, at her request, through the issues that arise in
respect of the UK/EU Treaty. The Conservative leader was very interested to understand the detail of the benefits to Gibraltar of the new proposed arrangements. I was very grateful to see that she was genuinely interested in supporting Gibraltar, as has been the case with her predecessors and the various Conservative Ministers and Shadow Ministers we have worked with in the past 14 years, not least Priti Pattel and Wendy Morton, the current shadow Foreign and Europe Ministers, respectively, and my dear friend James Cleverly, former Foreign Secretary."
Full house at the OXO Tower for Gibraltar’s debut
GIBLDN Business Conference
The inaugural GIBLDN Business Conference took place last night at London’s iconic Oxo Tower, drawing a full house of around 400 guests from across all business sectors. The event was fully funded by sponsors and ticket sales and saw a majority of UK based guests in attendance.
The conference showcased Gibraltar’s growing reputation as a dynamic, well-regulated and forward-looking jurisdiction, and provided a unique platform to connect with UK professionals, investors and entrepreneurs interested in doing business with Gibraltar.
The Minister for Health, Care and Business, the Hon Gemma AriasVasquez, delivered a keynote speech signalling Gibraltar’s transformation into an innovative and globally connected business jurisdiction. She emphasised Gibraltar’s UK–EU Treaty as a catalyst for certainty and growth.
The evening’s highlight was a fireside chat featuring the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo KC MP, and the Attorney General, Michael Llamas CMG KC, moderated by Peter Montegriffo
KC. Their discussion covered the political significance of the UK EU Treaty and how it expands Gibraltar’s business opportunities.
The Minister for Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “It was a real privilege to deliver the keynote address at our first ever Gibraltar Business Conference in London.
Standing in that room, surrounded by so many people who believe in Gibraltar, I felt incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and excited about where we are going next.
“We wanted to create this event to bring Gibraltar’s story to London, to show that we are ambitious, well-regulated and OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Last night captured exactly that.
“I would also like to thank the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, the Attorney General, Michael Llamas, and Peter Montegriffo for such a compelling and informative fireside chat on the EU-UK Treaty.
“The response has been overwhelming and the appetite for more is clear. This really is just the beginning.
The Chief Minister,
conversation
a
with chief minister the hon. fabian picardo.
The Chief Minister greets me with good humour, a touch of mischief, and the frankness he’s become known for. Because this year isn’t just another yearly round-up. This is the year we talk transition, legacy, change, and saying goodbye to a role that has defined more than a decade of Gibraltar’s political life.
Last year, Fabian Picardo told us he would not lead the GSLP into the next general election, though he would complete this parliamentary term. So naturally, we start there: Is that still the case?
“It is still the position,” he replies immediately, “despite the best efforts of my detractors.”
He says it with a glint in his eye, not bitter, just honest and faintly amused, as if the rumours and political murmurs are simply part of the wallpaper of public life. But he’s crystal clear: yes, he’s leaving the leadership, and yes, the timetable is set… even if he’s not quite ready to share it with the world.
“I know exactly the date on which I will be going,” he says. “I’ll share it with my party first when the time comes.”When I ask how soon that might be, he laughs: “I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you.”Fair enough. Some secrets are better left undisturbed.
While the public only learned of his decision in recent years, Fabian Picardo tells me privately he’s been preparing for this transition for over four years:
“I expected to transition before the last general election, except that circumstances conspired against me. COVID and the Brexit negotiation were not able to let me go.”
This is classic Chief Minister, equal parts candid, pragmatic, and lightly humorous. However, the underlying reality is serious: he postponed stepping back during two of Gibraltar’s biggest modern crises, and although he never says it directly, the message is clear, his job wasn’t finished until he could safeguard Gibraltar’s future.
Which brings us to the question that has dominated political life for nearly eight years: the treaty.Last year, the Chief Minister told us Gibraltar was “almost there”, but that the final mile of any negotiation is always the hardest. Has that mile been crossed?
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “The last mile was crossed, and we reached agreement.” He quickly adds that the work isn’t quite finished. “Now it’s a fairly boring, very technical drafting process. Sometimes you have words that read in one particular sense and can have one particular meaning which may be closer to one of the party’s interpretations… and so you have to get that right.”
It’s not drama, he insists. Not brinkmanship. Just careful, meticulous drafting so that no single word can be misread or misapplied.“We are there as near as dammit, and by the time people read this interview, they may already have read the treaty text.”
In earlier interviews, the Chief Minister has spoken about Spain as a potential great ally, if mutual trust and modern cooperation can take root. Has the relationship lived up to that possibility?“I would describe it in exactly the same terms,” he says immediately.
He paints a vision that is both hopeful and grounded, one of a Gibraltar and Campo region that could become one of the most privileged in the entire European geography, instead of one of the most underprivileged.
“The question,” he says, “is whether we channel our energy into fighting each other or into positive cooperation that doesn’t for one moment compromise our respective positions on sovereignty.”
On the 11th June Gibraltar and Spain took “the route of cooperation”, and it’s clear he believes this to be a historic moment.“We took the route of working together for the benefit of people in the area to take politics out of everyday life and enable human relations to take over. So I think that we are well on the road to changing how Gibraltar and Spain interact institutionally,” he states, adding, “We've had to do that through the instrument of the United Kingdom and the European Union, but I think we found a very effective way of doing it and so I'm very hopeful for the future.”It’s clear that the Chief Minister wants business to flourish, people to move more freely, politics to stop overshadowing daily life. It’s the kind of regional future that, if realised, could alter Gibraltar’s fortunes for generations.
my annual catch-up with the chief minister has become something of a gibraltar insight tradition. once a year, usually in late autumn, i sit down with fabian picardo to reflect on the year that’s passed and look ahead to the year to come. this time, perhaps more than any other, there’s a sense that we’re reaching the end of an era.
So what does the Chief Minister see for Gibraltar in the next decade?“Expansion in every sphere,” he says simply.He talks about continuing institutional evolution, the same kind of ambitious change he enacted in 2011. But he acknowledges something important - he cannot be the one to lead the next phase.
“I could never be the agent of change to change my own change,” he says with characteristic self-awareness.What he hopes is that the next generation of leaders will push Gibraltar forward in progressive, modern terms, avoiding the global trend toward the kind of political regression seen elsewhere.
He speaks with especially deep pride about Gibraltar’s public services: health care, education, elderly care and, crucially, the public finances that make those services possible.“In a world where debt outstrips income in most of the developed economies,” he says, “Gibraltar is able to demonstrate that its recurrent revenue is met from its recurrent income.”It’s a point he wants remembered as part of his legacy - one of the “seeds” he hopes to leave behind.
When asked how he hopes his tenure will be remembered, the Chief Minister doesn’t sugar-coat it.“Challenging but honestly and efficiently dealt with.”It’s a modest, almost understated answer, especially considering he navigated Brexit, COVID, multiple UK governments, supply crises, and some of the most complex geopolitical negotiations in Gibraltar’s history.
Last year, Fabian Picardo spoke candidly about wanting to focus more on health, family, and balance once he steps back. How’s that going?“My advice to my children is that it's always a work in progress,” he says. “That you never know that
you've got it right, and if you slip into thinking that everything is okay with the world, that's when the world is going to come and hit you with a baseball bat bang on the nose. So when you're feeling, if you're ever feeling that you've got the balance right, something is about to go wrong.” He laughs, but he means it. He’s always vigilant. Always aware, but also, crucially, still a believer.“I'm now always vigilant in every respect, even in the personal sphere, but I still believe in love,” he says, almost unexpectedly, and in that moment, he seems less Chief Minister, more human.
One of the joys of interviewing the Chief Minister is that he never pretends. So when I ask what he learned about himself after years advocating for Gibraltar on the international stage, he answers without blinking. “That I’m a tenacious little bastard.”“Can I print that?” I ask. “Of course you can,” he grins.
In each of our yearly interviews, I ask the Chief Minister for a song - a personal anthem for the coming year. Last time, he chose Titanium, a symbol of strength and resilience.What would he choose for 2026? “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” he says instantly. It’s a strikingly emotional choice. Perhaps reflective, perhaps hopeful, or perhaps simply a song that feels right for where he is now - a man preparing to cross his own bridge into a different chapter.
He’s participating in “Dash for the Tash,” running 90 km in November for charity, after already doing 50 km in five days the month before.As for his running playlist, don’t expect thumping beats or motivational anthems, or something to set the pace.“It’s very boring,” he warns. With absolute seriousness he says: “Good Morning, this is Today on Radio 4.”Proof, if ever needed, that everyone’s exercise journey is different.
After years of representing Gibraltar on the world stage, what does home mean to him now?“Home is family, and family is Gibraltar.”He expands on this with warmth. His family is Gibraltarian. His extended family, he says, are the people of Gibraltar - “even the troublesome cousins that might spend most of their time trying to exclude me from the dining table.”
As our interview winds down, there’s only one question left. If he could send a message to his younger self, just entering politics, what would it be? “Never give up,” he says simply in a very‘Churchillian’ manner, but utterly Fabian Picardo.
As he stands for the final photographs, it feels strangely poignant. We’ve done this many times over the years, but this one carries a different weight. It might be the last annual Insight interview we do with Fabian Picardo as Chief Minister, and when I mention this to him he says with a twinkle in his eye:
“you might well think that, but i couldn’t Possibly comment”
GIBTALKS 2026
Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS), working alongside teacher and playwright Julian Felice, will be holding the annual conference event on Saturday 31st January 2026 at the John Mackintosh Hall.
Based on the successful TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) series of talks (www.ted.com), GibTalks will see a range of local speakers deliver fifteen-minute talks on a broad spectrum of subjects with the aim of focusing on the anecdotal, the personal and the light-hearted as opposed to heavy-going academics and agendas. The speakers will represent a cross-section of the community and will help to make up a rich and varied programme. Tickets for this very popular event in our annual cultural calendar will be on sale as from Monday 12th January 2026 via www.buytickets.gi
For any queries or information please email or contact GCS Events Department via email info@culture.gi or on Tel. 20067236.
Gibraltar Tourist Board Receives First Ever Nomination at the Prestigious Travel Weekly Globe Awards
The Gibraltar Tourist Board is proud to announce that Visit Gibraltar has been nominated in the Best Tourist Board category at the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards 2025, one of the most respected and influential events in the United Kingdom travel industry.
This is the very first time Gibraltar has received a nomination at the Globe Awards. It is a milestone that reflects the destination’s growing reputation, its creative approach to tourism, and the strong relationships it continues to build with the United Kingdom travel trade.
Often described as the Oscars of the travel industry, the Globe Awards celebrate outstanding achievement across the tourism sector. Winners are chosen by thousands of travel agents and professionals across the United Kingdom. For Gibraltar, this nomination is a clear sign of the confidence and support that partners in the travel trade have shown the destination.
Over the past year, the Gibraltar Tourist Board has signifi-
cantly increased its presence across the United Kingdom. It has delivered an extensive schedule of roadshows, conferences and trade events,
including active involvement with CLIA, ABTA and regional associations. Through this work, Visit Gibraltar has reinforced the message that the Rock is not only a remarkable place to visit but also a reliable and supportive partner for the travel industry.
Professor Clive Finlayson has been awarded the William King Medal by the University of Galway in Ireland. In his medal presentation citation, Professor David Burn, President of the University of Galway, stated that the William King Medal was awarded to Professor Finlayson “for exceptional contribution to the history and understanding of human evolution.”
He continued, “As a leading international expert on Neanderthals, the granting of the medal, here in the institution where their scientific name was first coined, represents a fitting completion of the scientific circle.”
The presentation was made prior to the William King Annual Lecture, which Professor Finlayson had been invited to deliver on Wednesday 22nd October. The lecture series was established after a symposium held in 2014 to mark the 150th anniversary of the naming of the Neanderthal people by William King, who had been Professor of Mineralogy and Geology in Queen’s College Galway (as the University of Galway was then known).
In introducing Professor Finlayson’s lecture, Professor Burn said that “The concept of deciphering the mysteries of our closest evolutionary relatives, the Neanderthals, has been an important theme of Professor Finlayson’s research for many years. He is a leading exponent of the relationship between climate change and species distributions.” He compared his broad range of research interests to those of William King himself.
Referring to Gibraltar specifically, Professor
Minister for Tourism, The Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: “This nomination is a proud and emotional moment for Gibraltar. To be recognised by the United Kingdom travel industry at this level reflects the passion and dedication of the Gibraltar Tourist Board team and the unwavering support of our travel trade colleagues. Together we have shown that Gibraltar is so much more than a destination. It is an experience that consistently exceeds expectations.
"This recognition comes at a time of real momentum for Gibraltar tourism. We are con-
tinuing to invest in infrastructure, culture and new visitor experiences which will further enhance what the destination offers. Progress toward a potential United Kingdom and European Union treaty is also opening the door to greater connectivity, economic growth and cross border collaboration.
"We remain committed to our partners and proud to represent a destination that is vibrant, authentically Mediterranean and proudly British. Gibraltar is a place that continues to surprise and inspire every time you visit.”
Gibraltar National Museum Director awarded the William King medal.
Burn added, “The site at Gibraltar is now part of the Gorham’s Cave Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the last places that
Neanderthal people are known to have lived on Earth, and it is of immense importance for all humanity. Professor Finlayson directs the archaeological excavations there. The discoveries his team have made have been astonishing and inspiring in equal measure. His work literally forced us to reimagine our preconceptions of Neanderthal people, and addressed one of the most fundamentally important questions we can ask in science –what does it mean to be human?”
The lecture was delivered to a full house composed of professors, lecturers, students and members of the general public. At the end of the lecture, the students presented Professor Finlayson with a glass tankard from the University.
Commenting on the event and the award, Professor Finlayson said that he felt overwhelmed by the honour conferred on him by the University of Galway and by the incredible welcome that he and his wife, Professor Geraldine Finlayson, had received. “It is absolutely wonderful to see the level of interest in our work, with some people having travelled far to be there, and to see the enthusiasm in the faces of students in particular. For me, personally, the event has represented, as Professor Burn stated, a fitting completion of the scientific circle.”
Crowning Moments
THE GLITTERING WORLD OF ANDREW PRINCE
Jeweller,
lecturer and art historian, Andrew Prince, came to Gibraltar last month to give a lecture at the Garrison Library for The Gibraltar Arts Society. Jo Ward caught up with Andrew on his visit to talk about his life and passion for jewellery.
Known globally for his exquisite costume jewellery, from the dazzling tiaras of Downton Abbey to the fairy-tale finery of Disney’s Cinderella, Andrew Prince has become synonymous with craftsmanship, history, and wit. His creations shimmer not only with light but with the stories of the people and eras that inspire them.
Born in Aldershot in 1971, Andrew describes himself as an “army child, through and through.” His family history is steeped in military service. “It’s been army, army, army, right the way back,” he says with a grin. “There was no jewellery in our family whatsoever. But it must have been within me from an early age because I swallowed one of my mother’s pearl earrings when I was little.”
From Berlin to Belfast, his childhood was marked by constant relocation. “A real army brat,” he says, recalling life in Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles. Yet amid all that upheaval, a fascination with jewels quietly took root.
Andrew’s early life offered little indication that he would one day design for films, royalty, and grand exhibitions. “I always wanted to be involved with jewellery,” he says. “The first piece I made was a ring for my grandmother when I was about four. It was dreadful, but it was jewellery, and that was all that mattered.”
Formal education held little appeal. “I left school with one O-level, not great considering all the fees that had been paid,” he admits. “But I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”
Straight out of school, Andrew landed a job at a jeweller’s in London, cleaning silver and dusting shelves. “I knew I was in the right place, even if I was just polishing spoons.”
Then, at just fifteen, fate intervened. A family friend invited him to Geneva to view the Duchess of Windsor’s jewellery collection. “There I was, a gawky teenager, holding her jewels - Cartier, Van Cleef - incredible pieces. I thought, this is it. That was the moment everything clicked.”
With no formal training, Andrew learned his craft the old-fashioned way, by making, failing, and making again. “I always say I learned how not to make jewellery because I made so many mistakes,” he laughs. “But every mistake taught me something.”
Andrew honed his skills working for the renowned designer Elizabeth Gage in the late ’80s and early ’90s, watching master craftsmen at work. Then one day, a walk down South Molton Street changed everything. “I saw the Butler & Wilson window, full of big, bold, fabulous 1980s glamour, and thought that can’t be too difficult. I bought some stones and made some truly terrible things,” he says, laughing. “But it went from there.”
In 1989, with a fledgling collection, he walked into Vogue magazine and asked to see the editor. “They said no, but that I could see her assistant. That’s when you could still do that sort of thing.” That assistant was none other than Isabella Blow. “Issie looked at my pieces and said, ‘Lovely, we’ll use these in the next issue.’ Suddenly, I was in Vogue.”
The exposure launched his career. “One week I was polishing silver; the next, I was in the pages of Vogue. It was surreal.”
From there, Andrew’s designs caught the attention of costume departments and stylists. “I did things for Michael Jackson’s designers, for Shirley Bassey — all that big, show-stopping glamour,” he says. But it was the tiara that changed everything.
“I never set out to make tiaras,” he admits. “You don’t sit there thinking, I’m going to make tiaras for a living. But I made one, someone loved it, then another, and it just snowballed.”
His pieces soon began to appear in major productions. “I did Young Victoria, Mrs. Henderson Presents, and then Cinderella, the big Disney production.”
The Cinderella experience remains one of his proudest. “That ballroom scene,” he confides, “it wasn’t CGI, it was an actual set. One hundred feet high, three hundred feet long, everything gilded. Chandeliers twenty-five feet tall. It was mind-blowing.”
Still, life on set could be unpredictable. “You’d make a necklace that took days to perfect, and then suddenly they’d say, ‘Actually, no, take it off, it’s too much for the camera.’ That’s the film world for you. But Cinderella was extraordinary.”
Even so, he admits nothing compares to Downton Abbey. “That was really the icing on the cake,” he says. Ironically, Andrew had never seen Downton Abbey before joining the team. “I don’t have a television, never have. Caroline McCall, the costume designer, called me and said, ‘We’re doing this series called Downton Abbey, and it’s got Maggie Smith in it.’ I said, ‘Lovely,’ and sent off some pieces.”
He didn’t realise the scale of what he’d done until a trip to America. “Someone asked what I’d been working on, and I said, ‘A small British show called Downton Abbey.’ They said, ‘you’re mad… it’s enormous!’”
Working on the series was both a challenge and a delight. “Everything was under lockdown. You didn’t know who the jewellery was for, what they were wearing, or even the storyline. They’d say, ‘It might be for a ball scene, maybe blue, maybe in 1926,’ and that was all you got.”
Designing “blind” demanded creativity and intuition. “You design a range and trust your instincts. Maggie Smith’s pieces, for example, were always older, Victorian, Edwardian, things her character would have inherited. The younger characters had more modern, playful designs that reflected the shift toward the Jazz Age.”
Over the years, Andrew watched Downton’s evolution mirror the sweeping changes in fashion from the preFirst World War era to the 1920s. “The clothes changed dramatically, Paul Poiret got rid of the corset, and everything became influenced by the East: Persia, Japan, and China. After the war, women’s clothes became practical, structured, no corsets, designed for comfort and independence. Jewellery followed that transformation.”
When he isn’t creating, Andrew is lecturing. A passionate historian of jewellery, he gives talks around the world for organisations including The Arts Society. “I’ve got a lecture coming up on Cartier at the V&A,” he says. “There’s an incredible exhibition there, it’s mind-blowing. If you think a piece of jewellery is too big, go to the Cartier exhibition. You’ll come out thinking, no, it’s not big enough!”
His lectures are in high demand internationally. “I did a tour of Australia for The Arts Society, fifteen lectures in thirty days. It was wonderful, but exhausting. Talk, travel, talk, travel, and you come back both tired and fat, because everyone feeds you!”
He’s also lectured in India, France, Germany, Greece, Spain and of course here in Gibraltar. “Travelling with jewellery can be… interesting,” he laughs. “Especially in India where customs officials look at you suspiciously. I had to show them pictures from Downton Abbey to prove it wasn’t real!”
Despite his fame, Andrew still makes everything himself. “People ask, ‘Where are your tiaras made?’ Me. Every single one is made by me,” he says proudly. “I have a little workshop at home.”
Only occasionally does he enlist help. “A friend helps with earrings, because they’re so fine and fiddly and they can often they take as long to make as a tiara frame. But everything else I do myself. I love it that way.”
Commercially, he’s had opportunities to expand into mass production, but he’s resisted. “I like to make jewellery, not manufacture it. Once you hand it over to someone else, it loses its soul.”
For Andrew, jewellery isn’t just decoration, it’s psychology, art, and anthropology combined. “You never buy jewellery in a bad mood,” he says. “No one says, ‘Oh God, I’ve got to buy earrings, how dull.’ Jewellery is about joy.”
He has equal affection for both real and costume jewellery. “I love real jewellery for the craftsmanship, the skill that goes into it. But I adore costume jewellery because it’s pure design. It’s about taste, personality, imagination. What you wear reflects you. With real jewellery, it often reflects your wealth or what you’ve been given.”
“I’ve always believed jewellery chooses you,” he says. “You don’t choose it. It’s something that calls to you, deep down.”
Bosom buddies 20th anniversary fashion show
AN EVENING OF FASHION CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSOM BUDDIES CHARITY WAS HELD AT THE SUNBORN HOTEL BALLROOM ON 30TH OCTOBER. OVER 60 MODELS TOOK PART IN THIS WORTHWHILE CAUSE. LOCAL SINGERS ENTERTAINED WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
Nathan Baldachino worked his magic with his operatic pieces. John Charles Guy sung his favourite Frank Sinatra renditions and Surianne Dalmedo provided her own compositions accompanied by Louis on the guitar.
As previous years local dance group Danza Accademy supported the event. The entertainment started with an emotional beautifully choreographed piece from Amy Avellano from Phoenix dance. And Dance Collective entertained with a vibrant show.
The compare for the evening was the Charismatic Henry Sacramento.
The show concluded with Sonia Golt who took to the stage to thank everyone for their continued support.
What a privilege it is to be celebrating 20 years of the bosom buddies cancer trust with you all.
I wish to thank the organizing team for tonight’s fabulous show the producer, backstage hands, hairdressers, make-up artists, models, photographers, sound technicians, singers, dancers, and our wonderful presenter, Henry. It takes a lot of people to organise an event of this calibre.
This is also a great opportunity to thank our excellent Committee and most of all the biggest thanks goes to our Buddies for reaching this far together… WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CRY TOGETHER, AND WE ALSO LAUGH TOGETHER we are the bosom buddies.
Woman
As the leaves turn gold and the air turns sharp, as the sun sets early and the earth starts to prepare itself for the changing of the seasons; there are of us who actually relish the thought of being able to wrap up in coats and jumpers, as opposed to wearing the light, summery clothes that we all seem to gravitate to during spring and summer.
Autumn and winter 2025 heralds in a new age of cool; one where self-expression, tactile luxury, and tailored silhouettes with a twist of the traditional rule. Teetering on the tightrope between elegance and ease, nostalgia and innovation, the new season’s wardrobe is at once familiar but yet fresh (cutting-edge and trendsetting), but also cool, comfy, and affordable.
So, if you are after a style update for your autumn and winter wardrobe, where should you start? The obvious place to begin is with colour. Which colours are on trend this year? Pantone, the colour-matching system used across various materials and industries to maintain consistency, has a major influence on fashion, reflecting cultural, social and design trends as they shift. This year, it announced its “Colour of the Year” as Monochrome Brown, think chocolate brown or mocha mousse. You will have seen various shades of brown this year at autumn runways lending rich, warm sophistication to the collections. From caramel to espresso, designers have embraced the full spectrum of this autumnal hue on accessories, tailoring and outerwear. Bring the trend into your own wardrobe with a wool wrap coat for timeless refinement, or some velvety corduroy trousers for everyday ease. Whichever shade you choose, this season’s browns will be anything but basic.
Another top colour trend for autumn/winter 2025 is burgundy. Use this deep, rich red as a contrasting or complementary colour for a pop of sophistication. Burgundy doesn’t have to be just a winter colour and you can wear it year-round. Burgundy is also very easy to match with other colours. But, how do you wear burgundy? Go full-on burgundy from head to toe and have fun with textures: perhaps pair an oversized sweater with some faux leather trousers in the same shade. Burgundy and brown can be used like other neutrals, because they go surprisingly well with grey, camel, cream, black, and navy.
Knitwear will continue to rule our winter wardrobes, but this season, the knits we wear will be anything but ordinary. Designers are reinterpreting texture in bold, new ways this season: hand-crocheted panels, fringe details, ribbed layering, and oversized cable patterns that almost verge on sculptural. Key jumper trends for autumn winter 2025 include the return of classic prints like argyle and Fair Isle; the comeback of the V-neck and turtleneck styles; and an emphasis on chunky knits and fluffy textures. Statement designs, including loud graphic or patterned knits are popular.
Wrap chunky scarves around the neck several times, creating cocoon-like shapes, and sweater dresses are updated with asymmetrical cuts and open backs. Layer tonal knits in different gauges for the ultimate style statement: a fine cashmere top under a heavy woollen cardigan, for example, to create a look that is tactile, warm and full of dimension.
Try an oversized coat over a chunky turtleneck and wide-leg trousers: this is a balanced, layered look that oozes cosiness and chic in equal measure, and is all about effortless style. Layering is key to a stylish look as it provides warmth, comfort and style. Sweaters are great items to layer over others, and when you play around with lengths, you can create a more balanced look. A longline cardigan for example, can be worn over a shorter top.
Accessories are just as important as the clothes we wear. They hold the power to transform an outfit, and that should never be underestimated. Don’t be afraid to wear belts to help define your waist, scarves that can add warmth and colour and handbags to finish off an outfit. Accessories in any shade of red also give a playful pop of brightness to an otherwise simple and pared-back look.
As for structure, comfort might be king, but some key elements of power dressing are making a comeback. Power dressing has been reborn for the modern era, with designers swapping shoulder pads for sculptural tailoring and exaggerated lines. Wear a silk or satin blouse in a jewel-toned shade under a jacket or cardigan for a look that is elevated and current.
Blazers are cut at the waist in sharp lines, or else feature exaggerated hourglass shapes that hark back to the late ’80s, while high-waisted pencil skirts and pleated trousers ground the look in sophistication. Designers such as Alexander McQueen and Victoria Beckham are leading the charge in this power suiting revival, adding femininity to traditional tailoring with the addition of clever draping, cinched belts and deep jewel tones. The message is clear: autumn and winter fashion 2025 is where strength and softness can coexist.
When it comes to party wear, the number one trend this season has to be sequins. You will see them everywhere on the highstreetsin a variety of colours including rich tones such as burgundy, deep reds and punchy blues, and the good news is they are no longer expensive or itchy to wear these days. Sequin trends include all-over sequin dresses and jumpsuits, sequined trousers, and mixed-material looks that pair sequins with other textures.
One trend that reigned supreme over any other on the catwalk for AW25 was faux fur. Impossible to miss, almost every major fashion house included faux fur in their collections in the form of floor-length coats, cropped jackets, stoles, handbags, you name it, and it was everywhere. A notoriously controversial fabric, the trend has been gaining traction for a few seasons now, and is one that will no doubt continue to be divisive, but that will, of course, be seen everywhere this autumn and winter. Opt for camel, beige or classic brown tones for that expensive, chic look.
If you are looking to recreate Claudia Winkelman’s look on the popular BBC show The Traitors, go for a statement-making style such as a long, black cape, paired with simple black leggings. The cape coat is a great piece for layering over both smart and casual looks, adding drama and elevation, without trying too hard. Long boots are also a great choice, including knee-high or over-the-knee styles, for a look that is powerful and elegant.
If this is your first time hearing about it, then what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “soft girl”? What about when you search Softgirl on TikTok or Instagram, what is your impression then? Do you think it is something positive or negative, and why? And did you know it can be used as a source of power?
Reaching out to people from all walks of life to ask what the term “soft girl” meant to them revealed a surprisingly diverse range of responses. Most men were unfamiliar with the term itself but quickly linked it to personality traits: describing someone kind, gentle, and approachable, yet still independent and self-assured. In contrast, most women focused on the aesthetic side: pastel tones, a specific makeup style, and traditionally feminine mannerisms. Overall, many women also described the label as somewhat ‘toxic’, tying it to outdated ideas of weakness and carrying the risk of being misinterpreted or dismissed through a misogynistic perspective. But with an open mind, it is possible to recognise how the soft girl identity highlights a broader societal contradiction between performance and authenticity, as well as between empowerment and stereotype. However, being a soft girl is not a bad thing, and this is the reason.
Defining the “soft girl” aesthetic. For starters, the stereotype and general vibe of a soft girl is someone who wears glossy lipstick, has flushed cheeks, pastel knits, and heart-shaped earrings. Through Instagram and TikTok, it looks like they romanticise life and listen to lo-fi beats while taking selfies with rose toned filters. It can easily be interpreted as sweetness with structure, comfort, and control.
Almost like their femininity is worn proudly and not apologetically. However, this aesthetic mostly lives online where they promote self-care routines, morning rituals, outfit videos, vision boards, and idealise daily habits like making coffee, journalling and flower arrangements. It emerged partly as a reaction to the burnout of “girl boss” culture, where women were generating a more “masculine” energy in order to get ahead in different areas of their lives. The pandemic also influenced it by using softness as comfort during the chaos and widespread uncertainty. In many cases, what appears to be an innocent pastel trend on the internet is a cultural rebranding of women. One that honours compassion, empathy, and softness in a time where hardness is frequently rewarded.
The disparity in gender perception.
When asked what “soft girl” meant to different people, the responses split cleanly down gender lines. On one hand, most men confessed they hadn’t heard the term before, but they pictured someone kind and open, the sort of person who puts others at ease. To them, “soft” wasn’t an aesthetic style, it was a feeling, similar to a kind of emotional lightness rather than a curated look. Women, on the other hand, went straight to the image: pastel palettes, flushed cheeks, silk bows, and soft-spoken grace. This was usually accompanied with hesitation as several called the label “toxic”, worried that it reinforces the idea that femininity equals weakness or that men romanticise softness only when it is aesthetically pleasing or idealised. The difference reveals how femininity is filtered through two different lenses. For men, softness is charming; for women, it is loaded like a negotiation between self-expression and social expectation. The tension between being regarded as soft and choosing to be soft is what makes the style so controversial.
The rise of the “Soft Girl Era”
DEFINING WHAT FEMININITY MEANS TO YOU.
How misogyny distorts the soft girl.
Despite its dreamy visuals and message of self-love and care, the soft girl label often comes with an edge of discomfort. Critics argue that the trend risks romanticising passivity and emotional dependence which could be used to define and limit women. Some women are worried that men will fetishise the aesthetic whereby they reduce the softness to something decorative rather than powerful, similar to the old beliefs of what a traditional woman “should” be. Others say it is used as a marketing tool to get women to buy certain products like pastel-coloured journals and decoration. Finally, the aesthetic could be seen as lazy where women feel as though the look represents a lack of effort. Within these feminist circles, the soft girl trend divides opinions with some questioning whether it reclaims femininity or repackages the “girl boss” narrative where they swap ambition for rest. Regardless, women are often criticised for being either “too soft” or “not soft enough”, so the label shows how femininity remains a balancing act. The backlash against the soft girl aesthetic reveals a familiar trap: women are told to be softer, then mocked when they are. Arguably, “soft” can be seen as weakness or as power, depending on who is looking. Yet for the many who embrace it, softness is not submission but rather a defiance.
How softness can become a statement.
The soft girl aesthetic, in this light, becomes less about the image and more about the intent. The rejection of a “cool girl” or “girl boss” allows emotions to be visible again and it becomes its own type of courage where women are willing to feel deeply and show it. In rejecting the hustle culture and embracing care, the soft girl aesthetic transforms from a trend into a philosophy. Adding to this, soft females challenge the patriarchal association of strength using neutrality and hardness by
reframing it in terms of emotional intelligence. This movement aligns with the larger “slow culture” trends with slow living, mental health awareness, and “healing era” narratives. With this, reclamation can look different for various groups. For Gen Z, it can be about emotional transparency and healing from generational burnout; for women of colour, softness can be an act of resistance against stereotypes; and for queer people, softness can mean reclaiming gender fluidity and tenderness without fear. But either way, it is a way of reclaiming the right to be gentle in identities that the world expects to be hard. And ultimately, if a person interprets a woman’s softness as weakness, the issue is not with her femininity but with the persons perception of it.
Redefining what femininity looks like to you.
So, how would you describe what femininity means to you?
Asking the people around you might make the answer feel scattered between kindness, pastel colours, vulnerability, and even toxicity. But together, those fragments could paint a picture of a generation trying to redefine what it means to be feminine in their own terms. What started as an internet aesthetic has become something more. It can be seen as a quiet rejection of exhaustion culture and a return to gentleness as value, or as another method of bringing women down. However, in a world obsessed with productivity, the choice to be soft has become a form of protest. The soft girl era is not about weakness, but rather it is about reclaiming what softness means. It is saying that empathy does not cancel out ambition, and vulnerability does not erase strength. It is the art of being both. The soft girl is not the opposite of strong; she is what strength looks like when it finally learns to rest.
Redefining Success, Leadership, and the Future of Work
Nicola Probyn WOMEN IN BUSINESS
When Nicola Probyn co-founded Firecracker Marketing and Events in 2012, she wasn’t following a trend, she was quietly sparking a movement. What began as a small creative agency in Cape Town has evolved into a global marketing and events company with teams in Namibia and the UK, partnering with brands that value integrity, imagination, and impact. But behind Firecracker’s growth story lies a much deeper mission: to create opportunities for women, to build safer, more inclusive workplaces, and to prove that motherhood and leadership can thrive side by side.
“The foundation of progress lies in opening doors,” Nicola says. “When women create opportunities for other women, the effect is exponential - it doesn’t just change lives, it changes industries.”
Building Opportunities, Not Barriers
From the start, Nicola wanted Firecracker to be different. In an industry still dominated by traditional structures and male leadership, she saw a gap, not just in how agencies worked, but in how they felt.
“I’ve seen too many talented women walk away from creative industries because they felt boxed in or burnt out,” she explains. “We built Firecracker to be the opposite of that - a place where women could lead, grow, and be themselves.”
That belief in empowerment through opportunity became Firecracker’s DNA. The company has mentored dozens of women over the years - designers, strategists, event managers, and marketers who have gone on to start their own ventures or lead major campaigns. Nicola sees their success not as competition, but as her proudest legacy.
“If someone leaves Firecracker stronger, more confident, and ready to shine on their own, then we’ve done our job.”
Creating Safety as a Foundation for Creativity
Nicola is passionate about redefining what a “safe” workplace really means, not just free from harm, but free from fear.
“Empowerment begins with safety,” she says. “When people feel psychologically safe, they speak up, they innovate, they take risks. That’s where the magic happens.”
At Firecracker, open conversations about mental health, flexibility, and burnout are part of the culture. The team operates with trust - no micromanaging, no guilt for needing space to breathe.
“A culture of fear silences ambition,” Nicola adds. “When people feel respected and supported, creativity flourishes.”
It’s an approach that has paid off. Clients often remark not only on Firecracker’s high-quality work but on its calm, grounded energy, something Nicola attributes to a culture built on kindness and mutual respect. “It’s amazing what people can achieve when they’re not operating in survival mode,” she says.
“We’re a human-centred leadership team,” Nicola adds. “We’re intentional about creating safe environments where every person can thrive.”
Motherhood Without Penalty
Nicola’s journey as both a mother and business owner has given her a personal perspective on the challenges women face when raising families while pursuing ambitious careers.
“There’s still this underlying message that you can’t be both - that if you’re a good mother, you’re somehow less of a leader, and if you’re an ambitious leader, you’re sacrificing being present as a parent. It’s outdated and unfair.”
At Firecracker, motherhood is not a penalty - it’s part of the richness of the team’s collective experience. Flexible working, remote collaboration, and empathy are built into the way the agency operates.
“Supporting mothers isn’t a concession,” Nicola says firmly. “It’s an investment. The
women I work with who are mothers are some of the most efficient, emotionally intelligent, and adaptable people I know.”
That inclusivity doesn’t just make for happier teams, it makes for stronger business outcomes. “We’ve built a culture that honours the whole person, not just the professional. And that’s what sustains people for the long run.”
The Power of Partnership
Behind every great leader is often another great partnership, and for Nicola, that’s her co-founder, Claire Alexander. The two women built Firecracker from the ground up, each bringing distinct strengths - Nicola the strategist and creative, Claire the operational powerhouse and detail-driven planner.
“The right partnership can multiply your impact,” Nicola reflects. “The wrong one can dilute your purpose.”
Theirs is a partnership built on trust, transparency, and shared ambition. “We’ve never been afraid to challenge each other,” she says. “We approach every decision through the lens of, ‘What’s best for the business, our team, and our clients?’ - not ego.”
That balance has been key to Firecracker’s longevity and growth. Together, Nicola and Claire have steered the business through economic shifts, global expansion, and the changing tides of marketing itself - emerging stronger, sharper, and more purpose-driven each time.
Expanding the Vision - Africa Scotland Business Network
In 2019, Nicola and Claire took their belief in collaboration even further by launching the Africa Scotland Business Network (ASBN) - a dynamic, independent business community designed to connect leaders across borders and unlock opportunity.
“We wanted to build a platform that celebrates shared growth, one where business owners could collaborate, share insights, and drive meaningful partnerships,” Nicola explains.
Today, ASBN has grown into a thriving cross-continental network spanning over 115 member companies across 15 countries and 26 sectors. It’s a natural extension of the Firecracker philosophy: connection, community, and co-creation.
A Decade of Reinvention
Nicola is the first to admit that Firecracker’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. “Growth is not linear,” she says. “We’ve had years where we were just surviving - and years where we were thriving. But every season taught us something.”
From small beginnings to an agency managing global campaigns for industries ranging from renewable energy to finance and education, Firecracker’s evolution has been defined by one thing: reinvention.
“Resilience isn’t about never falling down, it’s about learning how to pivot without losing who you are.”
For Nicola, success today looks different than it did a decade ago. “It’s not just about revenue or scale. It’s about impact - on our clients, our team, and the communities we touch. It’s about creating something that lasts.”
Rewriting the Agency Model
Part of that evolution has been embracing what Nicola calls the new agency modelsmaller, cross-functional teams built for agility.
“The old model of massive agencies with layers of hierarchy just doesn’t serve clients anymore,” she says. “They want direct access to senior thinkers, they want fast turnaround, and they want real collaboration.”
Firecracker’s approach combines an internal core team with a trusted network of specialists - strategists, designers, digital expertsassembled as needed for each project.
“It’s like building a dream team for every brief,” Nicola explains. “That means our clients get the best minds on their project, without paying for unnecessary overhead.”
Operating from its headquarters in South Africa, Firecracker now delivers world-class marketing, digital marketing, brand, and event services to clients around the globe, including leading international names like Barclays and Seequent.
“We’re primed to respond to the global trend of offshoring marketing functions,” Nicola says. “Our clients get exceptional quality, strategy, and creativity at international standards - just delivered smarter and more efficiently.”
Standing in Her Power
As a woman leading in a competitive industry, Nicola believes the most radical thing a woman can do is to show up authentically and confidently.
“For too long, women were taught to play small - to ask for permission, to apologise for ambition. That era is over. Confidence and authenticity are the most powerful tools we have.”
Nicola is passionate about mentorship and community, both within Firecracker and through ASBN.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the women who supported and believed in me,” she says. “So I see it as my responsibility to do the same for others - to be the voice that says, ‘You can.’”
Her advice to young women starting their journey is simple: “Don’t wait to feel ready. You never will. Start where you are, stay curious, and surround yourself with people who challenge and champion you.”
A Spark That Keeps Growing
Thirteen years since Firecracker’s launch, Nicola is still energised by what’s ahead. The company continues to expand its footprint, explore new industries, and tell stories that matter.
“For me, growth is no longer about getting bigger, it’s about getting better. It’s about deepening our impact and building work that feels purposeful.”
As Firecracker continues to ignite opportunities from Cape Town to Gibraltar, Nicola’s story serves as a reminder that leadership built on empathy, courage, and connection doesn’t just change companies - it changes culture.
“Progress starts with people,” she says. “If you can create a workplace where people feel safe, seen, and inspired, you’ve already changed the game.”
From
perfectionism to progress:
Imagine you have been planning a dinner for weeks.
The table is set just right, and you tell yourself it is about making your guests feel welcome, but deep down, it is also about proving you can do everything. When the doorbell rings, laughter soon fills the room. Your friends pour wine, pass plates, tell stories that grow louder and funnier with each refill. But while they are laughing, your mind is elsewhere. You notice the food needs a little more salt, someone left their jacket on the armchair instead of the hanging rack and there is a faint water ring on the counter. So, you slip away, cloth in hand, clearing until your mind feels at ease. By the time you finally sit down, desserts nearly gone. The night was perfect, except for one small thing: you missed it. You were so busy creating the perfect moment that you never actually lived it.
Perfectionism can feel like you are doing everything right: checking every box, staying productive, keeping it all together. It often hides behind the mask of ambition or discipline, but underneath lies a familiar tightness: the self-criticism, the quiet whisper of not enough. We call it striving for excellence, yet it is often something heavier like a relentless pressure to measure up, to always be more. In a world that celebrates flawless résumés and filtered lives, perfectionism has become the new normal like a socially accepted form of self-criticism disguised as motivation. But perfection is not the same as growth. What if success is not about how perfectly we perform, but how freely we move forward? The
lation but more like a quiet truth you will be incapable of ignoring. You will notice how much time you have lost polishing the edges of your life and how “good enough” was never good enough for you or anyone else. And then one day, almost suddenly, you will make the decision to stop. While adjusting to this new realisation, you will also notice the world, in fact, will not fall apart, and then something like this becomes your turning point. The next step is letting go which will feel strange at first, like stepping into silence after constant noise. But then comes the lightness and you laugh at mistakes that used to send you spiralling. You begin to create, not to prove something, but because it feels good and you start to trust that progress is still movement. Perfectionism tells you to keep your grip tight, but progress asks you to loosen it. The irony is that when you finally stop trying to control everything, life starts to flow again, and this mental change will start the process of letting go.
Practical strategies for letting go.
To break down a misconception, letting go is not something you do once, it is something you learn to do, over and over again because not everything will feel as easy as another. The objective is to recognise perfectionism earlier and choose a gentler way of going forward rather than to never fall back into it. Some practical strategies are:
Learning to let go.
shift from perfectionism to progress is not about lowering your standards; it is about granting yourself permission to be human: to be real, to make mistakes and to simply be enough.
Understanding perfectionism.
Perfectionism might be mistaken for diligence or motivation. However, it is not about trying our hardest, it is about avoiding being judged, failing, or feeling inferior to those around us. That is to say that perfectionism is the belief that anything less than flawless is unacceptable, and it’s rooted in fear. It’s the belief that if everything is perfect, you will finally feel secure, accepted, or in control. And like most things, there are different types. For example, the three most recognised forms of perfectionism are:
1. Self-oriented perfectionism: When you hold yourself to impossibly high standards.
2. Other-oriented perfectionism: You expect the same flawlessness from others.
3. Socially prescribed perfectionism: You feel external pressure to meet other’s expectations. Similar to a “people pleaser” or the “performing for approval” type.
In order words, you have the inner critic, the controller, or the performer, and understanding it is not about blaming yourself, but about recognising how it has tried to protect you. So, by identifying which one feels most familiar to you, you can take the first step in learning to let go. But it is important to remember that perfectionism creates a false sense of safety, when in reality, it can limit growth, spontaneity, and self-trust.
The turning point: when “perfect” breaks down.
One day, you will realize you are tired, and not the kind of tired a nap can fix, but the deep exhaustion of trying to hold everything together and make sure everything and everyone is fine. The checklist is done, the boxes are ticked, but the peace you were chasing still hasn’t arrived. That’s when it will hit you: perfection was never the goal; it was the cage. The awareness will not arrive like a grand reve-
The next time you feel tense or stuck, listen for the perfectionist voice, and as previously mentioned, try pinpoint which type is talking. It will usually sound like urgency or pressure. Just noticing it starts to break its spell, and the awareness turns the inner critic into something you can observe and eventually soften.
Before you begin something, decide what “enough” looks like to you and then write it down. When you reach that point, stop. Perfectionism keeps moving the finish line further away whereas progress reminds you it’s okay to cross it.
Remember that progress builds quietly and each time you acknowledge a small step, for example finishing an email, taking a break without guilt, saying “this is enough”, you retrain your brain to value growth over flawlessness.
Break the line between worth and productivity. Rest is not a reward; it is a right. When you rest, you are not being lazy, you are recharging the energy that makes progress possible.
At the end of each day, you can try journalling or asking yourself: “Where did I allow imperfection today?” or “Where did I choose progress instead of control?” These small moments of awareness become the practice of letting go.
Learning to breathe again
It’s difficult to let go. It’s like venturing into the unknown without a safety net and losing control. However, as you begin the process, you will see how much beauty can be found in the flawed moments: a messy but genuine day, a product that is flawed but honest, or a discussion that does not go as planned but still connects you. And you will start breathing deep, presence-filled breaths once more rather than anxious, shallow ones. Progress teaches you to let go and trust the moment, whereas perfectionism taught you to hold your breath until you did it right. Therefore, stop and feel the air enter and exit your lungs when the old patterns resurface. Because human life, with its flaws and imperfections, was never meant to be perfect. You are now at last learning how to live the life that you were meant to be living.
It's never too early to start Christmas shopping
Entering the festive season already anxious is absolutely not what any Christmas lover wants, so for a huge number of reasons, it makes sense to start your shopping early.
When you take great care in buying gifts, leaving your shopping until the last minute will be the last thing that you want to do, yet many of us still find ourselves shopping for Christmas presents as late as Christmas Eve.
Early Christmas shopping can incorporate all manner of Christmas related item: cards, wrapping paper, gift bags and decorations to adorn your home. Such items are often reduced in price immediately after Christmas.
If you shop for Christmas throughout the year or at least from Summer onwards, you will be more than prepared come December. It is genuinely never too early to start Christmas shopping.
Here are some of the ways it can benefit you:
It is Less Stressful:
There will be no more scrabbling around last minute and much more time to relax if you shop all year round. You will be able to fully enjoy the magic of the holiday. That one person you can never find the perfect gift for - you will have plenty of time to find it and get it ticked off your list.
It makes sense to avoid the stress of worrying if a present will arrive on time. There will also be enough time to exchange it if is not quite right or damaged.
No More Increased Prices:
Have you ever noticed that near Christmastime prices can shoot up? Often, they are much higher than the sale prices you spotted earlier in the year.
The reason is you are paying for the convenience of shopping right before Christmas. You should most definitely take advantage of sales like Black Friday and any early Christmas or seasonal sales.
Equally important are the sales and reductions that happen throughout the year. If you see something that someone would love, get it at a reduced price rather than buying later at full cost.
Spreading the cost:
Buying for Christmas as you go along has clear benefits for your finances. As well, as finding bargains to reduce how much you spend, it helps you spread the cost.
This way you won’t have a last-minute panic about the impact on your bank balance or, worse still, spend on your credit card and take the financial hangover into the new year. It makes sound financial sense to put money aside each month for Christmas.
When you have small children and money is tight, there is always the temptation to dip into your money pot. Buying as you go along means the money is already invested.
Finding Unique Gifts:
You know those gifts that you simply cannot wait to give because you know it is going to surprise the recipient?
Shopping earlier means you have more time to plan and perfect your search for the ideal present. If you shop earlier, you have more time to research and do the searching that is often needed for a unique present like personalised Christmas ornaments.
If you are not working from a list, then you have more freedom and may find something unexpected. Just because it is not near Christmas, it does not mean you should not get prepared.
Plan your shopping trip:
I like to plan my Christmas shopping in my Christmas planner. It helps me stay very organised and not forget where I have gifts, what I have already purchased and what still remains to be bought.
The thought of Christmas shopping can be somewhat overwhelming. Food, decorations, a tree and often most importantlythe gifts.
It takes very little time to set up a planner and then it is easy to keep track of it all. Some sheets can even be used year after year.
Storing Gifts:
Bought gifts can be kept throughout the year in all manner of locations within your home. You may have free wardrobe space or perhaps a container under your bed. Just find a place with plenty of space and if you have children, you may want to put the gifts in a box they cannot see into - possibly position them high up.
I recommend writing this location down in a Christmas planner because many people forget about gifts and often discover them at a later stage.
Avoid the Crowds
The prospect of wading through crowds can be daunting during the Christmas season. Not only do you have to deal with other people getting in your way but it can make it difficult for you to find exactly what you are looking for.
By starting your shopping early, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful, enjoyable and productive shopping experience.
When you start early, you can avoid the stress of last-minute shopping and enjoy all the other activities that come with the holidays. From baking cookies to watching festive films, you will be able to relax and enjoy the season without having to worry.
Making Christmas shopping easier
If you are planning ahead due to financial reasons, here are some simple ways to make Christmas more affordable:
• Spread the cost – buy a few gifts each payday; it is easier on your budget and gives you time to find good deals
• Look out for sales – look out for discount days on sites like Amazon and use price trackers to check if it is a genuine bargain
• Use loyalty schemes - Nectar, Tesco Clubcard, Boots Advantage and others often run bonus points events around Christmas
• Sign up for newsletters – retailers often send their best deals to subscribers first, you could even have a separate email address just for special offers
• Check out online marketplaces - check eBay, Vinted, Facebook Marketplace and charity shops for great-condition items at lower prices. Certain items are still brand new in their original packaging
• Purchase the small bits now – wrapping paper, tape, cards and stocking fillers. Pick them up early, especially if you spot multi-buy deals
There are many reasons why starting our Christmas shopping makes financial and practical sense. If we are forward thinking enough, we can capitalise on the January sales. After that point, there are seasonal sales as well as simply picking up great buys throughout the year.
The Advantages of early shopping:
From the moment you start your Christmas shopping, the positive difference is noticeable. You are calmer, more in control and genuinely excited for December. Often there is a feeling of dread. Spreading the cost makes a significant difference in the run- up to Christmas.
An added bonus - there is something hugely satisfying about knowing that when the festive season arrives, you will be able to thoroughly enjoy it rather than feeling overwhelmed. What a perfect way to start the festive season.
SANTA'S LITTLE GADGETS
the holiday season is almost here and we've picked five of the best gadgets to gift this Christmas - whether for that gadget-lover who has everything or someone you just want to surprise with something genuinely useful and wow-worthy. The theme? Innovation that fits into daily life, not just flashy gimmicks.
1. Premium Smartwatch:
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025
Smartwatches have moved well beyond “just a watch”they’re health hubs, style statements and productivity tools all in one. Reviews of 2025 gadget launches point to watches with longer battery life, better sensors and more refined design as key trends.
This Galaxy Watch Ultra ticks the boxes: premium materials (titanium casing in some variants), advanced health and fitness tracking, LTE connectivity, and a look that bridges sport and style.
Why it makes the list: For the person you know who is always on the go, juggling work, gym or weekend adventures. It’s a gift of utility and aspiration.
2. The Ultra-Mini Phone You Didn’t Know You Needed: Mini Phone World’s Smallest 3.0 HD Touch
If you’re after a quirky, conversation-starting gift, this tiny smartphone is a standout wildcard for Christmas 2025. It’s roughly the size of a fridge magnet, yet it packs a surprising amount of functionality - a bright HD touchscreen, essential apps, a decent camera, and SIM support. Think of it as a fun backup phone, a travel-friendly device for nights out, or even a minimalist alternative for screen-time breaks.
Why it makes the list:
It’s delightfully unexpected. For someone who already owns the latest iPhone or Galaxy, gifting a palm-sized “micro-phone” is guaranteed to spark excitement. It’s playful, practical in niche moments, and makes a brilliant stocking filler for tech lovers.
3. Smart Gamepad or Gaming Accessory: Live Tech Yo!Man Wireless Gamepad
Gaming continues to be a huge driver of tech gifting, and accessories are often underrated as gifts (you don’t need to buy the console, just something to enhance the experience). According to recent “best gifts” lists, anything that subtly upgrades a gaming setup (or enables one) is popular.
The Yo!Man wireless gamepad allows mobile/PC gaming with ease via Bluetooth dongle - cool for a younger sibling, teen or gaming-enthusiast friend.
Why it makes the list: It’s tactical, affordable, fun and there’s less chance the re cipient *already* owns it.
4. A Luxury Smart Speaker for Music Lovers
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)
If you want a gift that feels luxurious the moment it’s unboxed, the Beosound A1 is a showstopper. Bang & Olufsen’s iconic Danish design meets rich, room-filling sound in a compact, beautifully crafted form. It’s waterproof, dust-resistant, and made from premium aluminium - equally at home on a yacht, a beach café table in Catalan Bay, or a stylish living room in Ocean Village.
Despite its small footprint, the audio quality is unmistakably high-end: warm bass, crisp vocals, and the kind of clarity audiophiles rave about. It also supports Alexa voice control, making it an elegant smart-assistant option without the plasticky look of mainstream speakers.
Why it makes the list: It’s the perfect mix of luxury and practicality - a gift that elevates everyday moments, from podcasts on the go to sunset playlists overlooking the Bay.
5. Novelty Tech Gadget:
2025 Flying Orb Ball Hand-Drone
Here’s the “gift-just-for-fun” choice. According to media guides, besides serious tech, there’s a strong appetite this year for gadgets that are playful, shareable and “why-not” moments.
This flying orb ball - handheld drone/hover toy - is great for families, teens or even adults who have fun mornings & lazy afternoons in mind.
Why it makes the list: Unique, likely to get a smile and a “wow”, and brings people together.
Wrapping It Up
When choosing one of these five gadgets, consider who you’re buying for and how they’ll use it:
• Are they always on the move? Go smartwatch.
• Already have everything “serious”? Go novelty.
• Work from home or love audio? Speaker for the win
• Gaming or younger recipient? Gamepad.
Or someone who loves tiny tools/accessories? The
Don’t forget the “why” behind the gift - a little personalisation (e.g., link the gadget to a shared experience) makes the gift more memorable.
are therefore intrinsically much safer, they’ll have a transformer to take the voltage down to as little as 5v, so if the light string will be OK outside, they’ll be safe. Remember that the plug will usually need to be inside the house though.
Now with the lights chosen and fixed where you want, you’ll need to get them powered up….
If you have European two pin plugs fitted to the lights you MUST NOT plug them directly in to a UK style socket - this is not safe and it will damage the socket, making it unsafe to use even with a UK plug.
Always use the correct type of fused adaptor (with the correct size fuse fitted) or better still change the plug if possible. Earthed Schuko plugs MUST have an earthed adaptor, if not or if
Yes it’s that time again, Christmas - time to dig out your lights and decorations, spend hours getting them set out just right and finding a spare socket or two to plug them in. No easy task.
you decide to put these in a UK sock et without an adaptor, your lights or appliance will not be earthed and it is extremely dangerous.
Now with plugs and adaptors in hand and no socket where you need one, let’s break out the extension leads.
It’s absolutely fine to use extension leads as a temporary solution to get power where you need it, you just have to be sensible about things.
As with your lights only buy extension leads that are CE marked and get one that is long enough rather than plugging several together to get where you need to.
heat and fail or even worse!
Remember to switch off and unplug any extension lead when it’s not being used.
If you’re unsure about anything regarding the suitability of your lights, plugs, adaptors, extension leads or how much load you have connected to an extension, you should speak to a competent electrician or your local specialist store who should be able to give you advice.
For many of us, a special way of showing our affection at this time of year is to give a gift. With so many demands on our finances, it can be challenging to find a present that we feel the recipient will love whilst remaining measured in our spending.
However, money is not the only consideration regarding buying a different kind of gift: it has become increasingly popular to find a gift that is original.
We have a multitude of options regarding gifts that are not conventional or bought from our usual shops of choice: vintage and pre-loved items are incredibly popular, tweaking an existing item with personalised flourishes can provide a nostalgic, cosy feel to a gift. Giving of your own time is, in many ways, the most precious gift of all. Here are some examples of alternative gifts:
Gifts that grow:
A potted herb garden or a terrarium is a gift that will give continuous joy throughout the coming year.
A miniature garden in the home can come in various sizes, assortments and styles that will need attending to and looking after.
According to research, interacting with plants increases levels of happiness and calmness. What more could anyone ask for?
Alternative Christmas Gifts
Christmas is a joyful time for a host of reasons. Spending time with family and friends is just one of them.
Favours:
Sometimes, the things that people really want just cannot be wrapped up and placed underneath a Christmas tree.
Has a member of your family been waiting years to have their garden cleared? Is there someone who has wanted to visit a local garden centre but are unable to travel there themselves?
Creating a booklet of favours can delight and surprise a loved one. Consider what practical favours you are happy to do and equally important, think about the needs and wants of the individuals you are presenting them to.
Eco-friendly:
You can support the world we live in and give a great present by giving an eco- friendly gift.
Buying from organisations that support nature and wildlife provides them with valuable income and your loved ones with a quality present. Reusable coffee mugs are a musthave for many people and gifts like bags, scarves and jigsaws are also sold by the Woodland Trust, the National Trust and other charities.
Look out for gifts that carry the Fair Trade logo too – you can relax knowing that the present you are buying is ethical.
Create a gift for someone:
Making something for a loved one, whether it is a delicious treat or even a piece of art, could be a delightful present and a wonderful way to express your creativity. If you fancy yourself as a chef or if you want to give baking a go, there are numerous recipes you can try. Everyone loves treats at this time of year, so Christmas brownies or snowman cupcakes are likely to go down extremely well.
If gifting an edible treat, always label the bakes with the ingredients you have used in case anyone eating the treats needs to avoid particular foods due to allergies or other dietary requirements.
You could create a bath bomb to help a family member relax after a stressful day or maybe a homemade Christmas card which can also be eco-friendly. A present made by our own hands will convey a special meaning and shows time and thought has gone into it.
Donating to charity:
If you do not already give to certain organisations, Christmas could be the perfect time to donate to charities close to your heart. You could do this as part of a gift for someone you know and let them know you did it in your Christmas wishes message.
It is always worth checking with char ities, exactly what they need.
Alternatively, you could offer your time in the form of volunteering. Local volunteering services, emergency organisations and charity shops are just some of the places where your help may be appreciated.
Giving back to the environment:
Keeping with the eco-friendly theme, this Christmas could be the perfect opportunity for you to give back to the environment.
Recycling and reusing can help you to enjoy a green Christmas but you could also give somebody some
seeds or maybe a potted plant, which could flourish into beautiful flowers or an elegant tree.
Upcycling an item that you might have found in a charity shop or embellishing an item of clothing is also a great way to give back to the environment whilst being a lovely gift for someone you care about.
Many individuals are increasingly pas sionate about upcycling. There are many fun, upcycling projects to try this festive season: Why not try mak ing a custom tote bag from old jeans, or a cosy scarf from an old jumper? The possibilities are endless.
If you do not have the time to turn something into a piece of clothing from scratch, you could even sew a few patches onto an old jacket, giv ing it a personal touch. It is all about making something meaningful and sustainable. You can create a person alised look by incorporating some one’s favourite colour or print to make an item unique and special to them.
If a green inspired Christmas is the direction you want to go in, consider wrapping the presents in paper that is eco-friendly too. Many shops will sell paper that is recycled but you could find bits of paper around the home that you could use. Old books or newspapers can be used as an alternative to wrapping paper whilst still
Christmas pudding… that rich, boozy, dome of festive deliciousness that turns up on our dinner tables every December, whether we want it or not. Like the turkey or the crackers, it’s an indelible part of Christmas. It’s not just a pudding: it’s part of the fabric of the season itself. Yet there is far more to this flaming dessert than meets the eye. History, superstition, and even an around-the-world adventure.
Our pudding tale begins way back in medieval England, long before turkey dinners, tinsel, or even Christmas itself were a twinkle in England’s eye. Back then, the dish wasn’t known as Christmas pudding at all: it was called frumenty. It wasn’t really a pudding, either, more like a thick porridge of hulled wheat boiled in milk and mixed with meat, dried fruit, wine, and spices. It doesn’t sound very appetising, but it was delicious to its medieval eaters.
Frumenty was a popular winter feast dish, hearty, warming, and great for serving lots of people. As trade networks expanded and sugar and dried fruit became more available, the recipe for frumenty changed. The meaty elements disappeared, more sugar was added, and a sweetened frumenty was born. The next big change came in the 16th century when… well, someone realised that all this porridge-like frumenty needed was a name change, and so ‘pudding’ was born. It was also known as plum pudding, but funnily enough there were no plums involved! In old English, plum was a generic word for any dried fruitraisins, currants, or prunes - so plum pudding simply meant “a pudding full of fruit”.
It isn’t until the 19th century, the era in which most of our modern Christmas traditions were invented, that our beloved Christmas pudding really comes into focus. It was in this era, when the Victorians re-established most of the customs we now recognise as Christmas, that the pudding took centre stage on the Christmas table. Christmas pudding was illustrated in magazines, recipe books, and featured most famously in Dickens’s A Christmas Carol when Mrs Cratchit proudly bears her flaming pudding to the table.
The pudding’s iconic round shape also came in this period, when cooks started steaming it in a cloth. Of course, the Victorians loved their booze and their puddings were no exception. Christmas puddings were doused in brandy, rum, or stout to both flavour and preserve them. Traditional puddings were made weeks or even months before Christmas to allow their flavour to mature.
Pudding also became part of another charming Christmas tradition that involves patience and family - Stir-Up Sunday - the last Sunday before Advent. On Stir-Up Sunday, each family member would take a turn stirring the pudding from east to west to honour the journey of the Three Wise Men while secretly making a wish.
Another delightful (and potentially tooth-breaking) tradition was the hiding of charms in the pudding. These charms, small tokens or trinkets hidden in the pudding before steaming, held specific meanings: a coin (a silver sixpence or three-penny bit) meant wealth; a ring meant marriage; a thimble meant thrift, and a button meant you would remain single. Many families continue this tradition today, often replacing coins with sweets.
If pudding teaches us one thing, it’s patience. Traditional puddings aren’t a quick dessert, they require several hours of steaming, then several months resting in a cool dark place. A well-made Christmas pudding can last for years. Some families will even add a spoonful of last year’s pudding to this year’s to help kick-start it, in a sort of sourdough starter for festive spirit.
Tradition has it that even now, in some families at least, when the Christmas main course is over the lights are dimmed, and the Christmas pudding is ceremoniously brought to the table in all its glory, doused with hot brandy, set on fire and served flaming, bursting into a dancing blue flame (supposedly symbolic of the light of Christ), to a round of applause and sometimes a rousing chorus of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”!
The pudding has also had famous fans and royal influence. King George I is said to have introduced the pudding to the royal Christmas feast in 1714, leading him to be nicknamed The Pudding King. During World War II, when rationing made fruit and sugar hard to find, the government encouraged simpler versions and called for housewives to make a “Ration Book Christmas Pudding” using sugar substitutes like carrots or potatoes. Austerity may have been hard, but it couldn’t keep the pudding down.
In recent years, it was featured in a 2019 photo of the late Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and young Prince George all stirring puddings together to raise money for charity. It’s hard to imagine an image that better captures Christmas pudding symbolising connection across generations, shared ritual, and a little bit of fun.
Christmas pudding is very much a British tradition, but it has travelled. In the former countries of the British Empire, it is still sometimes made, often with local twists. It is popular in Australia and New Zealand, even in the middle of their summer, and is often transformed into a frozen ice-cream version that combines the pudding’s traditional flavours with a refreshing twist. In the Caribbean, rich rum cakes are king. In Ireland, whiskey-soaked puddings vie for attention. Wherever it goes, one thing rarely changes: after a big feast, there should be something special to close it.
Of course, not everyone is a fan. Some find it too heavy or boozy and some don’t like dried fruits, but others simply can’t imagine Christmas dinner without a delicious Christmas pudding - served with brandy sauce, brandy butter or custard.
Each Christmas pudding ties together multiple generations: grandparents teaching their children to stir the pudding from east to west, families sharing recipes and charms and bits of last year’s pudding. It’s food as storytelling, food as remembrance, food as celebration.So this Christmas, as you steam your pudding from scratch, buy a supermarket one, or just watch someone else set their pudding on fire, give a thought to that dome of festive deliciousness. It isn’t just fruit and booze; it’s a bite of history, a spoonful of nostalgia, and a flaming symbol of the joy of tradition.
CHRISTMAS
PUDDING
THE PERFECT PARTY DRESS
It's that time of year, and finding the perfect party dress is always exciting. That unmistakable buzz is in the air, as stores play our favorite Christmas songs, getting us in the mood for the upcoming festivities. We look forward with excitement to our own party events. Obviously, we want to look our best, whether it’s a casual get-together with family and friends or a large company Christmas event held in a top-class venue. Whatever the location, getting that perfect outfit is key to looking fabulous and confident.
So, how do we find that stand-out dress to make us the belle of the ball? Do you prefer a chic and elegant look, or do you prefer something bold and daring? Having an idea of how you want to look can help when searching for that perfect dress. Of course, dress codes for the venue need to be taken into consideration. A mini skirt and glitter boots don’t quite cut it for a top hotel. Keep those for the disco! Comfort is an important factor, especially when the party goes on into the small hours as you dance the night away, so choose fabrics that are breathable and stretchy. If you feel good in your dress and don’t have to spend the evening adjusting it, this will reflect in your confidence.
Whatever you choose to wear, remember not to leave it to the last minute and then buy online in a panic, only to find two days before the party that the online dress just doesn’t look the part or doesn’t fit. Start thinking about how you want to look in plenty of time before the party season begins. There will probably be more than one festive event that you are attending, and who would want to wear the same outfit over and over again? We know that trends change, but we all have a favorite style that suits our shape. That’s where that little black dress in your
wardrobe can come in handy. It can be easily dressed up with new diamanté accessories and a nice pair of shoes with a touch of glitter. You just might get away with wearing your little black dress more than once by accessorizing it differently, giving it a different look with an evening jacket, or playing it down with bohemian accessories or a scarf or stole tied around your shoulders for an elegant look. Play around with ideas and see what works for you. Choosing the perfect party wear dress is all about finding the right balance between style, comfort, and the occasion.
Let's not forget the perfect shoes to make you look amazing and give you that elegant look as you make your entrance into the party venue. The choice for most would be the strappy stiletto heel. But after a night of dancing, if you are limping around, this takes the edge off looking elegant. There is nothing worse than shoes which cause excruciating pain and blisters. Recently, there has been a trend in the good old reliable kitten heel or flattie, which are no longer dull and boring; the right pair can look just as chic and sophisticated as a six-inch heel.
However you choose to dress, be fabulous and have fun!
Preparing a home for
Christmas is fast approaching, bringing with it excitement and festive anticipation
While it may seem a little early to be hanging baubles and making fresh foliage wreaths, getting organised ahead of time is key to managing a magical, stress-free festive season.
Prepare your Home for Christmas: How you start preparing for Christmas very much depends on who you will have with you throughout the holiday season and what kind of celebrations you are planning.
If you have guests staying, as well as family and friends of different ages, there are several factors to consider.
Here is a simple checklist for preparing for Christmas:
• Declutter throughout
• Do a deep clean before guests arrive
• Place unused coats in bedroom wardrobes, to free coat pegs for the coats of your guests
• Clear spare bedrooms of clutter and ensure you have enough bedding
• Decorate the main areas of the home
• Plan your menu
• Shop ahead where you can
• Make sure you have a good supply of drinks
However, having a proper tidy, clean-up and being prepared will help you feel confident and ready for your guests. You will feel ready and not overly stressed when they arrive.
Ways to Decorate our Homes for Christmas:
Whichever type of person you are, and the depending on the style of decorating you prefer, here are some of the areas you will want to consider decorating around your home at Christmas:
The Christmas Tree
Whether you choose a cut tree, or an artificial one in a different colour to green, setting up the tree and decorating it with ribbons, tinsel, lights, and baubles is a tradition that many of us love. Whether you have a mismatched collection of sentimental decorations or a carefully selected mix of colours does not matter. What is important is that you love the Christmas tree and decorations you have chosen.
Remember, everyone has their own sense of Christmas tree style.
Outside
Giving emphasis to the outdoor decorations can become expensive rather quickly. Although children love seeing the lights, the electricity bill might not be so welcome. If you prefer to keep displays to a minimum, a wreath on the front door may be the perfect solution. If you prefer a bit more, then a few bushes in decorative planters (galvanised steel buckets wrapped with a strip of hessian and a ribbon look great) and maybe a few solar powered outdoor LED fairy lights can look wonderfully festive.
The Front Door
Wreaths are the traditional adornment for the front door. They are widely available. Whether they are made from real foliage or faux materials, they are also simple to make. If you want to make a wreath that you can make once, look for silk foliage, or use baubles, tinsel, or ribbons to create a wreath that you can pull out next December too.
Preparing for Christmas dinner:
Planning the menu for the big day is an important step. Whether you have a traditional turkey and all the trimmings, or you prefer an alternative menu, knowing what you need to buy ahead of time means you can buy non-perishable items in advance. Freeze items so you can ensure you have everything and streamline your shop during Christmas week.
If you are buying a turkey from a local farm, order as soon as possible as demand is high.
Do as much of the Christmas dinner preparation as possible ahead of time. Peeling potatoes, carrots and parsnips can all be done with a cheeky glass of mulled wine on Christmas Eve. This enables you to spend more time enjoying yourself on Christmas Day. Getting ready for the festive season allows you to enjoy the season as well as being practical.
Christmas Place Settings Ideas
Christmas table décor is another way you can make a great impression on your guests. As with everything at Christmas time, you can take your table decorations as elaborate, or minimal as you feel appropriate.
Decorate your Christmas Table
A great tablecloth, or a centre runner can really help your table to look and feel Christmassy. Familiar options include red, green, gold or tartan. If you are adding a natural centrepiece, this choice is advisable as you catch any bits that might fall off.
You might decide to have a bare table for your Christmas dinner. There are numerous tasks to deal with without having to also launder tablecloths. A biodegradable paper tablecloth is an easy option and you can write names directly onto the cloth, without needing to create place settings.
Choose a Fabulous Centrepiece
If your table is big enough, having a centrepiece on your Christmas dining table is a great conversation starter. You do not have to excessively spend on flowers either:
• Fill decorative glass vases with water, then add sprigs of holly, and light floating candles on top
• Use seasonal fruits, nuts, and berries to fill vases, jars, and bowls
• Create a wreath, lay it down and add a chunky candle in the centre
• Arrange greenery along the length of the table and add satsumas, pome granates, and pine cones
• Position LED string lights along the centre of the table, winding in between glasses and plates
Declutter key areas of your home
No matter how neat and tidy you naturally are, it is very easy for clutter to pile up. If you are looking to bring harmony to the home before Christmas, start decluttering in stages. Focus on one room, one space or even one area within a room to make the process easier.
There are countless ways we can prepare our homes for Christmas. They can range from lighting Christmas scented candles, scattering reindeer embossed cushions or creating much needed relaxing space for both festivities and your guests. Every tweak you make will create an inviting, warm and festive atmosphere.
XMAS FOOD QUIZ
1 In the Nat King Cole Christmas song "What was roasting on an open fire "
2 According to the old English tradition, which coin was placed in the Christmas pudding mixture?
3 What drink do children leave out for Santa on Christmas eve
4 What name is given to small sausages wrapped bacon?
5 What type of small cabbage is traditionally eaten on Christmas day in UK
6 Which spirit is traditionally poured on top of a Christmas pudding and then lit?
7 Which sauce is traditionally served with roast turkey?
8 In the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas, they sing, “now bring us some” what?
9 Which festive sweet treat is shaped to resemble a shepherd’s staff?
10 What is the traditional Christmas drink made from eggs, milk, and nutmeg?
11 What fruit can be stored alongside Christmas cake to keep it moist?
Answers on page 86
CHRISTMAS
CRACKERS
WHAT WOULD CHRISTMAS LUNCH BE WITHOUT THE GOOD OLD TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CRACKER?
The children wondering what will fall out of the end of the cracker after the pull and the snap. Will it be a puzzle, a toy, or a silver ring?
Part of the fun of the Christmas cracker is the tiny piece of paper with the silly joke, and of course, what would Christmas lunch be without a paper crown on your head?
Well, you can thank the local London confectioner, Tom Smith, for the laughs and fun. On a visit to Paris in 1847, he was inspired by the French Bon Bon sweets, which were sold by the Parisian confectioners'.
These sweet treats were placed inside colorful paper wrappers, which were twisted at each end.
Tom Smith took this idea back to London and decided to take his version one step further to boost sales of this new product. He included a love motto placed inside the paper along with the sweet delight and sold these small sweet bonbons from his own confectionery shop.
He didn’t stop there. It is said that while he was sitting by his log fire, the crackling of the logs inspired him further. He contacted a firework company, and between them, they invented the friction strip, which created a small explosion within the tiny paper pack-
age. The snap was born. This part of the cracker was later refined in the 1860s.
After the death of Tom Smith in 1869, his three sons, Tom, Henry, and Walter Smith, took over the running of the company. It was Walter who was mainly responsible for developing the cracker as we know it today, adding the paper crown. It is said that the inspiration for the crown was inspired by the Twelfth Night celebrations.
The company introduced other novelties and crackers for all occasions, which were tailored with different contents: toys, puzzles, and even jewels for the wealthy.
There are Christmas crackers to suit all pockets. The most expensive customized crackers can contain extravagant gifts like super yachts, luxury cars, and high-end jewelry, with prices reaching millions of pounds.
Although Tom Smith is widely credited with inventing the much-loved Christmas cracker,it is said that Italian confectioner Gaudenti Sparagnapane may have beat him to it one year earlier.
Nevertheless, whoever invented the Christmas cracker, we thank you. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas around the table without the snap, pop, and laughter.
COMPETITION - TIME TO WIN!
Win a Sunday Roast for two with Santa
Answer the question for a chance to win two tickets to enjoy a Sunday roast with Santa at the Barbary restaurant at the Sunborn Hotel.
Question: In Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' what was the the first name of the main character Scrooge ? ?
Send your answers along with your contact details to jeaninsight@gibtelecom.net, all entries must be received by 12 December 2025. One entry per person.
YULETIDE PROGRESS
Grandad kissed the reindeer cushion and Amos stole his beer
Patsy pulled up her pantyhose in front of the brigadier
And they all sang Merry Christmas till the dog started to moan
Mum blamed the Brussel sprouts and blew one of her own
It lingered close to auntie Mimi who looked up in disgust
Mum went to flush the toilet as another one bit the dust
The vicar winked at Veronica loosened up his collar
He whispered a lewd compliment and made the sign of the dollar
They spoilt each other rotten thanks to Barclay loan
And they all sang Merry Christmas till the dog started to moan
Freddy fried the Christmas tree as he was mending the lights
“Switch the telly on Margo and leave them Turkish delights
The King’s about to make his speech” - “ Oy! Me brandy’s disappeared”
Said Ted as his leg went dead - “Oy! Me leg’s gone weird”
Nobody noticed the children, as if Christmas had never been
Huddled together lost to the world glued to their iPhone screen
“Should we raise a glass to progress? Was this gathering a
good idea?
If it’s so much bother getting together let’s all stay home and Skype next year”
And the lights went up as the wine went down so everyone went back to their phone
And didn’t sing merry Christmas and the dog didn’t moan
Sally Jones didn’t find fascination with the newfangled iPhone
“Gimme old fashioned Yuletide getting sloshed and wetting the bed
Funny how Christmas changes the way we throw a party” said Ted
“Who would’ve said that fifty years ago Auntie Mimi looked hot and tarty
Look at her now nothing to say, all knitting and crumbs with rosy cheeks from the party
She don’t need them glasses, blind as a bat, does things by feeling
Cool as a cucumber and tough as nails, why did the boys nail her bloomers to the ceiling?”
They hugged and kissed all totally pissed preparing to say goodbye
True to form Auntie Mimi cried as she demolished the last Christmas pie.
GIBRALTAR CULTURAL SERVICES (GCS) ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF ‘CHRISTMAS ON STRINGS’ FOR ITS SECOND YEAR.
This enchanting event will take place at The Holy Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday 16th December 2025 starting at 7pm.
Join the event for a magical evening of candlelit music, where a string quartet will perform beloved Christmas classics and popular favourites in a beautifully illuminated setting. With musical arrangements by Miguel Monge, this quartet aims to provide an intimate and heart-warming experience – the perfect way to embrace the spirit of Christmas.
Tickets priced at £15 are available via www.buytickets.gi. Ticket includes a glass of mulled wine and mince pies.
For further information please contact GCS Events Depart
69th GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL DRAMA FESTIVAL 2026
Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS), on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, is pleased to announce that the Gibraltar International Drama Festival will take place at the Ince’s Hall Theatre from Monday 23rd to Saturday 28th March 2026.
The festival is open to any drama group, and the plays will be adjudicated by a member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators UK. Non-competitive entries will also be accepted.
The Group winning the “Best Play” Award will receive a cash prize of £1,000. Additional awards include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, amongst others. As a member of the National Drama Festival Association, we now have the opportunity to compete at the National Drama Festival UK and will offer a Bursary if the winning play is successful in qualifying.
A small grant will be payable to each participating group, to assist with production expenses.
Participants can sign up for the Gibraltar Drama Festival by completing the online Google Form here. Full rules and guidelines are available at culture.gi/forms.
The closing date for entries is Monday 15th December 2025.
For further information please contact GCS’ Events Department via email info@culture.gi or on Tel. 20067236
This Christmas
This Christmas I want to be… now let me see… a bringer of joy to every girl and boy.
The light that lights up the face of a child when it’s given a brand new toy
“Surely you want to be more” cries ambition from behind the door.
Alright then, let me see… This Christmas I want to be…all things to all men, but then, That may be a problem because not all men are noble upright and good. Tell me
Do you really think I should?… be all things to all men? Has anybody ever Been that before?
@ The Ocean Village Market
Now let me try again, this Christmas I want to be… a weaver of dreams.
Not any dreams but those which need to come true. Can you imagine as Lennon did
A world without wars, no silent screams, no distinctions, no more bloodshed God forbid.
All he was saying was “Give peace a chance” alas for John that dream never came true.
What about Me and You? What about those dreams which need to come true?
Do we just keep on dreaming? Is there something more inspiring that we could do
Like saying no to our own lies instead of making them out to be true?
This Christmas I want to be… the innocent kisses under the mistletoe
A children’s choir singing carols in the evening glow, we would sing for the soldier
And for his enemy too, then sing for the prisoner who’s locked up tight
We shall sing one for the homeless, a tune called ‘Silent Night’.
We would pray for the hungry, the lonely, the battered and the abused, we should sing for Santa’s elves so they don’t get confused and climb into our pockets to jangle that penny which we can give to those without any.
Now you can all wish with me...
De ROSINA
Every Sunday, 9am to 4pm
The Gibunco Gibraltar Literary Festival 2025 Review
The Gibunco Gibraltar Literary Festival once again demonstrated why it has become a truly significant literary event. Blending international flair with strong local identity, the 2025 edition offered a rich programme that ranged from political discussion to artistic exploration, alongside a comprehensive schools programme with local students given the chance to meet authors, attend workshops, and take part in interactive sessions.
Christian Hook
One of the standout events of the festival was an intimate and captivating conversation featuring Gibraltarian, award-winning artist Christian Hook, who arrived sporting a striking new Mohican hairstyle. ‘Hook’ was in conversation with Alice Mascarenhas and Rachel Simkiss, and the audience were taken on a 15-year journey of his artistic career, starting off with a thirteen minute video showing us the transition from his earlier works to the techniques that now position him on the global stage.
Hook’s accomplishments are particularly impressive given his youth: his work is represented in seven or
eight national institutions, a remarkable feat for a Gibraltarian artist still in the prime of his career. Throughout the session, he spoke with passion and philosophical depth about what drives him. “Art is the only way you can go out of the possibilities of being human,” he explained. “It’s not about the money, that’s not what drives me, I’m in love with the process of making art”, he said, a sentiment that resonated as he described his endlessly curious approach to technique and expression.
The conversation also ventured into ground-breaking territory, highlighting Hook’s collaborations with scientists at Imperial College London. Together, they are exploring methods of extracting and interpreting emotional data, allowing Hook to integrate these findings into his work. As he explained with characteristic excitement, he even now has “Picasso’s emotions in a box.” This fusion of art and science underpins his forthcoming “life after death” series, scheduled for 2026, in which he intends to collaborate creatively with “dead artists” through scientific and conceptual innovation.
“Science has made it possible to do
things that aren’t humanly possible,” Hook remarked. As Alice Mascarenhas, commented “we would all love to look inside his brain!”
Sir Jeremy Hunt
Another highlight of the festival was the conversation between Sir Jeremy Hunt British politician and former Chancellor and Foreign Secretary, and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, at the John Mackintosh Hall in front of an audience of over 350 people. Drawing from Sir Jeremy’s latest book, Can Britain Be Great Again? the discussion offered a thoughtful examination of the United Kingdom’s political landscape, its future prospects, and the challenges and opportunities
that lie ahead. Sir Jeremy Hunt provided insight into the themes of leadership, national identity, and global competitiveness, while the Chief Minister brought a Gibraltar-focused perspective that enriched the conversation’s scope. “Can Britain be Great Again?” the Chief Minister asked Sir Jeremy Hunt. “Yes,” was the resounding response.
Fabian Picardo’s final question to Sir Jeremy Hunt was about an encounter mentioned in his book. “Before crossing the border into Ukraine you went to MacDonald’s in Poland, and when you arrived back in Poland you went to the same MacDonald’s for breakfast,” the Chief Minister said. “The woman serving asked you if you were a celebrity, so the final question is in that context: which are you going to do – Strictly, Traitors, Love Island or I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here?”
“At this stage all I can say is that I’ve ruled out Love Island and probably the other three as well,” Sir Jeremy Hunt replied to the amusement of the audience, but he then asked Fabian Picardo the same question. “Which is it going to be for you?” The Chief Minister answered: “I’ve been in politics for 30 years – Traitors!”
Wayne Sleep “In Conversation with Jacquie Brunjes”
The John Mackintosh Hall in Gibraltar hosted an unforgettable evening as the legendary British dancer, actor, and entertainer Wayne Sleep OBE took to the stage for In Conversation with Jacquie Brunjes. The evening marked the promotion of his latest memoir, Just Different - a fitting title for a man whose life and career have always defied convention.
From the moment Wayne bounded onto the stage, his energy was infectious. At 77, his charisma and wit remain undiminished. The format alternated between conversation and performance, with video clips showcasing Wayne’s most memorable moments in dance and theatre. These included his ground-breaking performances with the Royal Ballet, where his 5'2" frame challenged conventions about what a male dancer should look like, and his later ventures into television, film, and musical theatre.
Wayne’s storytelling was both hilarious and heartfelt. He recounted working with icons like Rudolf Nureyev and Princess Diana, and spoke passionately about mentoring young performers.
Dame Ninette de Valois, founder of the Royal Ballet, once called him “the greatest virtuoso dancer the Royal Ballet has ever produced,” famously telling him he’d have to “spin twice as fast and jump twice as high as everybody else”, advice he clearly took to heart.
For many, Wayne is remembered as a television personality from the 1980s and 90s, but the evening’s clips remind-
ed us of his extraordinary artistry. His touring company, Dash, filled theatres nationwide, and we laughed as he sent up Russian gymnast Olga Korbut and tennis star John McEnroe in a comic skit. Among his many notable stage and screen credits, he created the role of Mr Mistoffelees in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats (1981). Years earlier, in 1973, he set a world record on Record Breakers by completing an entrechat-douze - twelve beats of the feet in a single jump - an astonishing feat of athleticism and precision.
Asked about injuries, Wayne cheerfully listed a catalogue: “Four screws in my shoulder, torn medial ligament, six sprained ankles, broken metatarsal and big toe, and a hip replacement.” When I asked who he’d most like to have danced with, he replied, “Little Tich, he was only 4 ft. 6 inches, smaller than me!”
Wayne’s legacy extends beyond performance. Through the Wayne Sleep Foundation, he supports aspiring dancers with scholarships, an initiative he’s especially proud of.
In true Wayne Sleep style, the evening concluded with a flourish. Bursting into spontaneous song and dance, his movements remained sharp and expressive, drawing rapturous applause. He and Jacquie ended with a playful shoe shuffle, followed by a musical rendition of his life in song.
A Life in Music: John Suchet’s Personal Journey with Beethoven
John Suchet returned to Gibraltar for the Literary Festival, his first visit in four decades, to discuss his newest book, In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey. John tells me that he first visited the Rock as an ITN reporter during the launch of a new international News at Ten programme. “We were invited out here to meet senior executives of Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation,” he explains.
John Suchet’s path to becoming one of Britain’s most recognised voices in classical broadcasting was far from predestined. As a teenager, he played the piano and trombone “quite badly,” he says with characteristic humour. “In fact, my trombone passion led me to my second favourite form of music, which is trad jazz, and I founded a trad jazz band at school, then at university, and my aim was to become the second Chris Barber, who was a great trad jazz trombonist, but life took me in another direction.” My wife Nula insisted that the student trombone my mum bought me when I was 17 should be on a stand in our living room because it's my... I mean, a chauvinistic thing to say, but my favourite four-foot brassy blonde, I love it,” he laughs.
While John has written many biographies of great composers, Beethoven has always been his deepest fascination. “The book I'm talking about today is my eighth book on him, but it's very different to all the others, which, in one form or another, are biographies.”
“Nula and I were sitting in the little garden of a cottage in a village north of Vienna where Beethoven spent a pivotal six months, and I was telling her the story of why it was so critical, and at the end she said, you've got to write this down,” John says. “I told her that I already had, many times, but she replied that she wanted my own story about my relationship with Beethoven.” What he feared would be ten pages became a full, heartfelt book.
I asked why he thought people misunderstand Beethoven, both as a man and as a composer. “Everyone thinks he was just an angry man with his hair flying everywhere, that he didn't like people and was always grumbling and complaining,” John states. “Part of that is true, but how nice would you be if you were a musician and you knew that's all you could be and you realised you were losing your hearing.”
“The truth was very different,” John tells me. “He was angry and difficult, but he also had an appalling sense of humour and he loved a practical joke and could be very funny,” he says.
Posing the question of if John could play host to a dinner conversation between Beethoven and one other composer from any era, who would he invite and why, John responds by saying “That's a very interesting question, I’ve never been asked that before.” John admits the “boring answer” is Mozart. “Because we still don't know the degree to which young 16-year-old Beethoven met 31-year-old Mozart, and although we know they met, we still don’t know how long the meeting was, or what they discussed.” Beyond that, he says would love to introduce Beethoven to modern musical giants such as Andrew Lloyd Webber or Richard Rodgers, convinced that such an encounter would reveal how relevant his music is to today's composers.
Asked to choose a single piece of Beethoven that encapsulates his life, John’s answer comes instantly: Symphony No. 3 Eroica. It has followed him through every chapter, lifting, inspiring, and grounding him. “I don’t have to put it on to listen to it, I hear it every day of my life, in my head,” he says.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is home to over a dozen Christmas markets, and its Christkindelsmärik is one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to 1570. The city’s cobbled streets provide a fairytale setting that feels like it’s straight out of a storybook.
For the foodies, you can warm up with a mug up spiced mulled wine, enjoy some bredele cookies or indulge in some local dishes like chocroute (sauerkraut cooked with various pork cuts) and tarte flambée (a thin crispy flatbread topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon).
Christmas market opening dates: 6 November - 6 January
Flight time from Malaga: 3h 15min
Vienna, Austria
When it comes to Christmas, Vienna cranks up the magic and transforms into a true winter wonderland. They have a number of Christmas markets dotted around the city and some of them open up as early as 6th November.
In Stephanplatz, you’ll find over 40 stalls around St Stephen’s Cathedral, selling hot drinks, food and various handicrafts. Make sure you don’t leave without trying kasespatzle! A short walk from there you’ll find the Weihnachtsmarkt am Hof, which has more food and drink options and a stunning light display. In City Hall Square, you’ll find another market that has an iconic entrance archway with red bows and candles.
Christmas market opening dates: 22 November - 24 December
Flight time from Malaga: 2h 45 mins
Salzburg, Austria
Many will know Salzburg as the setting for the legendary Sound of Music, and the music scene is extended to its Christmas markets too. Running from 20 November 2025 to 1 January 2026, the city’s main Christmas market sets up right in the middle of town, on Cathedral and Residenz Squares.
This year marks the 50th edition of Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, a market known for its theatre and music. Dozens of choirs perform, and people are invited to join in for sing-alongs.
Christmas market opening dates: 20 November - 1 January
Flight time from Malaga: 2h 45 mins to Vienna, then a 2 hour train.
Riga, Latvia
Riga is often overlooked by tourists but it has the perfect old town charm that you want at Christmas time. The Old Town Christmas Market runs
YOUR GUIDE TO IN EUROPE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
December is one of the most popular months to travel in Europe, and not just to go and see friends/ family over the Christmas period but to experience the Christmas markets. If you’re looking to book a weekend escape, here are some of the best below that you can fly to directly from Malaga (mostly!).
from 28 November 2025 to 7 January 2026, on Doma Square. Here seven streets meet at the square and is surrounded by some of the city’s greatest landmarks, including the grand cathedral, topped by its iconic weathercock, and the Venetian Renaissance-style Art Museum Riga Bourse. Make sure to climb up to the second floor and look out the window for a colourful view of the market below.
In addition to all the usual winter delights, you can find Latvian staples here too. Have a shot of black balsam – the national liquor. Sample piragi, little buns filled with bacon and sautéed onions. And amongst the gingerbread and hand-woven mittens at the stalls, look for jars of Latvian honey, a treat you can take home.
Christmas market opening dates: 28 November - 7 January
Flight time from Malaga: 4h 30 mins
Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is newer to the Christmas market scene, with its first and the largest Deutscher Weihnachtsmarkt opening just over a decade ago.
Running from mid-November until just before Christmas, the stalls in City Garden bring together German and Bulgarian traditions. It’s a relatively affordable city, and offers a genuine Eastern European Christmas experience without the tourist crowds or high prices of Western capitals.
Sofia often enjoys a white Christmas as it’s nestled at the foot of Mount Vitosha, adding to the fairytale atmosphere.
Christmas market opening dates: 17 November - 26 December
Flight time from Malaga: 3h 45 mins
Basel, Switzerland
Basel was voted Best Christmas Market in Europe in 2021 and it’s easy to see why! With markets spread across Barfüsserplatz, Münsterplatz, and Claraplatz, it’s known for its elegant decorations and family-friendly atmosphere.
Both the food and the handicrafts here are next level. In addition to the usual market treats like sausages, you can dine on Swiss specialities such as Läckerli (a local kind of gingerbread) and for the cheese lovers, fondue and raclette. You’ll also spot cool, unexpected items like hand-painted baubles and Christmas cookie moulds with intricate 14th-century motifs.
Christmas market opening dates: 27 November - 23 December
Flight time from Malaga: 2h 40mins
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest’s main market can be found in Vorosmarty Square market, one of the oldest and most famous markets. It offers authentic Hungarian treats like chimney cake, goulash and their own mulled wine. It’s also worth visiting the Buda Castle market for its spectacular view!
You can also expect the Advent Feast at the Basilica, featuring a 3D light show projected onto St Stephens Basilica, along with a skating rink and wooden chalets selling handcrafted gifts and local delicacies.
Christmas market opening dates: 15 November - 1 January
Flight time from Malaga: 3h 30mins
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels main market stretches from Grand Place to Place Sainte-Catherine, featuring over 250 wooden chalets selling artisan gifts, seasonal food and holiday decorations. The Grand Place hosts a light and music show projected onto its buildings, and you can also find an ice skating rink located at Place de la Monnaie.
For some traditional dishes, make sure you try a flemish beef stew or snack on some belgian frites or waffles. For the cherry lovers, you’ll want to try Kriek - a local cherry beer!
Christmas market opening dates: 28 November - 5 January
Flight time from Malaga: 3h 10mins
AS CHRISTMAS DRAWS NEAR, BRINGING JOYFUL GATHERINGS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND THE PROMISE OF A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH FRESH PLANS AND GOALS, WE’RE EXCITED TO SHARE OUR 2026 TRAVEL OFFERS WITH YOU!
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��And here’sa festive bonus: If you make your reservation before December 11th, you’ll be automatically entered into our cruise giveaway for two people! Don’t miss your chance to sail away in style.
Excellent discounts on Cruises 2026
Package holidays with all excursions and activities included.
Short breaks with up to 15% discount.
Plus, if you’re lucky enough to receive Christmas gift vouchers, you can use them toward your next journey!
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our clients for their continued support over the years. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year full of exciting travels and unforgettable memories!
Marriage proposal events and honeymoons with excellent rates.
Family holidays with early booking discount.
Christmas market holidays.
THESCENE ISPICKING UP
THE GIBRALTAR MUSIC SCENE IS ALWAYS A TOPIC OF DEBATE. IT CAN BE DISCUSSED AMONGST LOCALS THAT THERE ISN'T A LOT TO DO ON THE ROCK AND ADMITTEDLY ON SOME POINTS THEY ARE RIGHT BUT IF YOU ARE A LIVE MUSIC NUT LIKE ME THEN YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY BEG TO DIFFER!
Now we need to focus that the Gibraltar Music Scene is vibrant because of the sheer volume of local music available at our fingertips, some might be oblivious that so much of it is available but I dare say that it you aren't as involved or know many local musicians then you won't know how much of it gets released.
The power of digital music platforms despite the fact they pay peanuts is instrumental as many local musicians use them to publish their material and of course my mantra is always to all local musicians that you never know who is listening and to that that is where the power of digital music platforms comes in.
How to find gigs to attend? Social media.
Social media is so powerful, especially when it comes to promoting gigs but it also brings a negative in the form of the power of the finger. If you are not interested, some simply scroll past and not focus on the fact that it is simply local and not focus on the positives it brings.
There are also a group of people, especially those within the Musicians Association of Gibraltar that continue to bring the goods and within their new establishment the properly named MAG Club that they aim to have a live gig on weekly. I am sure that things will turn around in January and it is great to see that the olive branch to perform at their club goes beyond borders. Some musicians from the Campo area have had the opportunity to perform there and the power of music is great.
Rock on The Rock in their twentieth year still also do their utmost to have a gig on and it still is the home of local music to many. There are also a number of local bands that rehearse at 41 Town Range and it is within those premises that we are able to enjoy their music after they spend so many hours perfecting and adjusting a setlist.
One of my favourite local music venues, despite its size, is El Kasbah on Castle Street. The venue is very intimate and when you hear the first note of the night performed at any gig it feels like it is just you and the band or artist. It is THAT intimate, it truly is mesmerising throughout and one venue that I dare say is considered a hidden gem. Their new Management definitely does a lot to showcase the talent on the Rock.
The Lord Nelson in Casemates Square was truly the place to be when it came to live music and on any given date it can also be packed to the rafters whenever a gig is on. The
ambience is truly magical and since they opened it in 2001, it is definitely the venue that can boast of a who's who that have performed there. Too many even got their start there at their weekly jam nights.
I can think of countless times where I got lost in the music and said wow over and over.
One venue in Ocean Village that particularly does well in having a gig here and there is O’Reillys, especially in the summer months. John Skellett runs a good ship and the sound as well as stage are very good throughout. The pity is that many residents in the area complain about the noise levels. It is important to live and let live and the law must be amended if we want local music to flourish. I am not saying we should have outdoor events on the regular but when it runs like a smooth well oiled machine, it definitely is a spectacle to witness, dance to and enjoy.
The key to maintaining a good balance when it comes to local music I dare say is to embrace and listen to it as soon as it’s out of the oven. I have been enjoying a lot of local music lately, more so than usual but I guess it is because of availability. Tracks from the likes of Nikolai Celecia, Rima, Cedar, The Jesse Tree, Giles Ramirez and others have been dominating my day to day playlists and all thanks to the positivity that digital music platforms bring BUT as good as it is to stream their music, don’t forget to buy the tracks / albums on Bandcamp, Apple Music and others.
Where does the Gibraltar Music Scene go from here? Well I hope to hear and see that many bands continue to perform all over Gibraltar. Some are even venturing out, some are doing their thing without expecting to launch themselves into stardom and do it for the love of music which by the way is worth meriting them for.
There are plenty of local artists I feel that with more years of performing under their belt and with more experience could very easily make it.
To all those that continue to perform and release their music by way of using their hard earned money from gigging I say to you what I say to every single local musician, no matter how young or old. You never know who is listening and whose ears your music has reached so DO NOT give up!
To all those that continue to support local music, I thank you all BUT to all those that don’t, I URGE you all to SUPPORT local music in order to keep local music alive!
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BUY THE PERFECT PRESENT… AND LET THE MAGIC OF TRAVEL BEGIN THIS CHRISTMAS!
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But every day since 1985, we have provided peace of mind for t he t hings you care about.
THIS MONTH
ROCK CLASSICS
JAGUAR E TYPE
MY FIRST CAR BILLY PEARCE
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
4, 5 & ALPINE 290 GTS
ROCK CLASSICS
Jaguar E-Type
Local resident in Gibraltar Martin Weigold owns this splendid 1965 Series One Jaguar E-Type Roadster ( called XK-E in North America ) It was built on 15 June 1965 at Jaguar Car Ltd Factory in Coventry in the UK, and sold to Virginia Miller Downey through the New York Jaguar Distributor.
Local resident in Gibraltar Martin Weigold, owns this splendid 1965 Series One Jaguar E-Type Roadster ( called XK-E in North America ) It was built on 15 June 1965 at Jaguar Car Ltd Factory in Coventry in the UK, and sold to Virginia Miller Downey through the New York Jaguar Distributor.
The E-Type has a 4.2-litre straight-six petrol engine that produces 265hp, and is coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox. It is capable of a top speed of 140mph (225kph) quite an achievement in 1965. And it had front and rear disc brakes to help it stop quickly and safely from those high speeds.
The car had a full bare-metal restoration by Jaguar specialists in California before Martin bought the Jaguar, and rebuilt to a very high, and painted in its original colour ‘Old English White. The interior was also fully restored with new leather and materials. In total over 3,000 hours were spent
on the car bringing it back to ‘as-new’ condition. During the restoration it also had a full mechanical overhaul, including the engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension and chassis.
Martin bought the car in February 2016 from R M Sotheby’s auction in Amelia Island, Florida.
The E-Type truly is one of those Iconic cars, as Enzo Ferrari once said ‘ it is the most beautiful car ever built’ and I personally totally agree with Mr Ferrari. I have loved this car from a very early age, and never lost the passion for this very desirable Jaguar, that attracts attention from every age group, wherever there is one in the world.
Martin says his E-Type runs and drives superbly... me... jealous..?.. no.. of course not.... !!
Martin Ward (With Green Face)
Renault 4
5 Alpine 290 GTS
Renault Press Department had a driving day at Coniston Hall, near Skipton where they had some cars for the Northern Group of Motoring Writers to test up in North Yorkshire.
The Renault 5 was there, but I had already driven it at home for a week (See article in this Magazine) but also there was the Renault 4 and Alpine 290 GTS.
The R4 has been overshadowed by the R5, and is almost regarded as the ‘poor relation’ as it probably doesn’t have the looks or the presence of the much more attractive ‘Five’. But if you want more space, more practicality and more flexibility then the ‘Four’ would be the more sensible choice, as it is, probably a more sensible car. Like the 5 it is completely electric and costs around £27,000 in the UK, the design is slightly reminiscent of the original Renault 4 is some areas. Over eight million ‘Fours’ were built between 1961 and 1994, in factories all over the world, a huge success for Renault. I was very impressed with the 4, it was refined and a joy to drive on some very nice North Yorkshire roads.
Next to drive was the much anticipated Alpine A290, which is the sporty version of the Renault 5, and is a true ‘hot-hatch’, and although it is all-Electric it will appeal to enthusiastic ‘petrol-heads’ who up until now, probably had no intention of buying an Electric Car. It is available with two power outputs 178bhp and 217bhp, but whichever one you choose, you can be sure it’s pretty quick and has race-track performance and handling. The larger output motors give a 0-100kph in 6.4 seconds, not the quickest EV I’ve driven, but still plenty fast enough.
Like the R5, the A290 only measures 3.99m long and 1.82m wide, but there’s still plenty of room in the cabin for four adults. But you’d struggle to get four suitcases into the luggage area. Prices in the UK start from £33,500.
If this Alpine is used, as Alpine expect you to use it, then you can be assured the range will drop dramatically, especially in colder months.
The nice thing about the A290 is it is very happy just tootling around town at low speeds, it’s as good going slow, as it is at higher speeds, and as a daily town and urban commuter it is great, and looks brilliant too.
MY 1ST CAR
BILLY PEARCE'S
RILEY 1500
Billy Pearce is the King of Panto, especially in Yorkshire where he has starred at The Bradford Alhambra for over 25 years.
He made his acting debut when he was just six-years old as one of the twins in The King and I. His mother was a dance teacher at her own dance school, so Billy lived with entertainment from an early age. Billy says he was a tap dancer, but often fell off, and landed in the bath.
As he got older the Working Men’s Clubs of Yorkshire were his bread and butter and he was a natural comedian, and made everyone laugh with his own sense of humour
Billy remembers clearly his first car, it was a Riley 1500, or to be more accurate it was called a ‘One-Point-Five’ and was based on the popular Morris 1000, but had a larger engine, and at the time was regarded as a ‘Posh’ Morris 1000. The Riley was built in the UK between 1957 and 1965. Billy’s dad bought him the slightly rusty Riley. Brake failure one day caused him to run into the back of a furniture truck. Now I imagined, being Billy’s car, the front wings would fall off, then the bonnet, then each of the doors, one-by-one, like a clowns car, or one in the Panto. But no, said Billy, it just twisted the chassis, and that was the end of the ‘Rusty One-Point-Five’
Billy has done much TV work, but says he much prefers working in front of a live audience, and he consistently breaks box office records.
Billy is appearing as usual in this years Panto which is Snow White alongside other cast members including: Sinitta, Myra DuBois, Sarah Pearson and Callum Connolly. And runs from 6th Dec 2025 until 18th January with a total of 71 performances
The Riley had Registration Number 6 LRB, so he told people his name was Leonard Roy Bernstein so they thought it was his own personal plate, which made him look posh, and driving a posh car too.
Billy’s current car is an Audi all-wheel-drive, as he needs to be sure he can get to and from the Theatre every day in Winter, he says it’s not the sort of job you can call in, and say you’re stuck in snow.
On a personal note, we go every year between Christmas and New Year to see Billy & Co in the Panto, and they never fail to make us laugh, Billy has been described many times as ‘ a Supreme Entertainer’ and I can confirm he certainly is. He is a very funny man.
Panto tickets available from Bradford Alhambra Theatre Website or call the Booking Office +44 1274 432000
Renault 5
E-Tech Electric
I recently had a new Renault 5 EV on test from Renault UK Press Department. I had the bright green car for a week. Sometimes you really look forward to a car coming on test, and at the end of the seven days, you were bitterly disappointed with it. Then you know a car is coming, and you really feel you can’t be bothered with it, but at the end of the week you were surprised just how good it was: how will the Five fair.
The 5 is a very attractive small five-door Hatch, the design is probably one of the best EV’s on the market today. The stying is a bit reminiscent of the classic Renault 5, and does bring a bit of nostalgia to modern day Motoring. The Renault design team have tried to keep the new 5 as authentic as they can to the original.
During the time I had the car, I had to take a neighbour to her very nice static caravan in Flamborough from Huddersfield, a distance of 90 miles (145km) so a round trip of 180miles (290km). I fully charged the 5 the day before using my home wall box and it showed a range of 235 miles (378km) easy I thought, I’d have plenty of miles left on return. Which is the result I needed as public charge points between home and her caravan are very scarce, hardly any over in East Yorkshire.
It did get there and back again, and with 24 miles left in the battery. I put it on charge again at home, and it took 7 hours 17 minutes to fill it back up again to around 230 miles.
The Renault 5 does give you an average Range which I tended to use. But also had the best and worst scenario’s. Driven normally it was showing 235 miles, driving very steady around town it went up to 254 miles, and with motorway speed driving it dropped to 124 miles, a very useful and honest readout on the dash.
The 5 is a pleasure to drive, it is comfortable, and quite spacious for a small car, the boot is adequate, and all the cars systems are easy to use and understand.
Showing my age now, but I had an original R5 as a showroom test car back in 1972 when I was a Renault salesman, it was bright orange. Nice to drive a new 5 fifty three years later.
The Five didn’t disappoint, I was looking forward to driving it, and really sad when it went back, great fun, a good looking car, and full of clever technology.
Prices in the UK start at £23,000
GIBRALTAR WOMEN READY TO MAKE HISTORY
AS GIBRALTAR PREPARES TO EMBARK ON ITS FIRST-EVER WOMEN’S EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS CAMPAIGN, THERE’S A QUIET BUT UNMISTAKABLE SENSE OF BELIEF GROWING WITHIN THE NATIONAL TEAM.
New head coach Stella Gotal’s first training camp set the tone for a new era — one defined by unity, high standards, and a clear collective purpose. The focus was simple, Raise the level, tighten the details, and build a stronger identity both on and off the pitch.
Over the course of an intense week, that message began to take shape. Gibraltar’s back-toback friendlies against Andorra provided positive and encouraging signs: confident spells of possession, disciplined defending, and healthy competition across the squad. The matches offered a glimpse of the team Gibraltar hopes to become, compact, composed, and fearless whilst maintaining respect for all opponents. .
Now, as the squad looks ahead to League C2, in the upcoming UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the challenge intensifies.
Gibraltar’s group features three experienced sides: Croatia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria. Each brings its own test. Croatia closed a tough Nations League run with a morale-boosting 2–0 victory over Ukraine; Kosovo showed firepower with wins against North Macedonia and a spirited draw in Latvia before falling to Türkiye in the B/C play-offs; while Bulgaria, competitive but winless, pushed Israel and Estonia to the wire.
For Gibraltar’s Women’s National Team, these are not just fixtures — they are milestones. The next step, the next challenge, the next opportunity to create history as trailblazers for Women’s Football on the Rock.
“We respect every opponent,” Gotal says, “but our focus is on carrying the togetherness and energy from the last camp in Andorra onto the pitch at all times.”
Beyond results, Women’s Football in Gibraltar is unmistakably on the rise. Participation is growing, grassroots pathways are strengthening, and the launch of an exclusive women’s national team shirt marks another symbolic step forward — a tangible sign of progress and pride.
Fixture and ticket details for the European Qualifiers follow soon, but one message is already clear: Gibraltar is ready. The players are united, the standards are rising, and the journey ahead promises to be one of the most exciting chapters yet in Gibraltar’s football story. Get behind the team. Be part of history.
ON THE EUROPEAN STAGE
The Rise and Rough Edges of Gibraltar Women’s Football
By John Gontier, Founder of Mons Calpe Women — born from the soul of Gibraltar Wave FC
As Gibraltar’s women’s football takes its first real steps, so too does its sense of identity. The challenge now isn’t just to grow — it’s to build something that lasts.
A
Game Born on the Rock
Gibraltar’s women’s football is still in its infancy — but in this small, wind-battered place at the edge of Europe, belief runs deeper than infrastructure.
The game here isn’t cushioned by history or money. There are no television deals, few paid staff, and facilities often shared with men’s teams or borrowed for the evening.
Yet out of that scarcity comes something raw and real — the sense that every match, every goal, every training session matters.
Gibraltar’s league may be one of UEFA’s newest, but that also makes it one of the most open. The distance between grassroots and elite football is shorter — not only in geography, but also in possibility.
While the men’s game fights gravity against global inequality, the women’s game still carries the freshness of discovery. Every club, every coach, every player is part of building something from zero.
Mons Calpe Women: From the Soul of Gibraltar Wave
Mons Calpe Women was born from the soul of Gibraltar Wave FC — a belief that football can connect before it competes.
Our goal is both ambitious and elemental: to become a perennial UEFA Women’s Champions League club from one of Europe’s smallest territories.
In Gibraltar, that’s not just a football mission — it’s a national experiment.
A test of whether a microstate with fewer than 35,000 people can build a structure where young girls grow up not only watching women’s football, but dreaming in it.
The challenges are real:
Few full-time coaches
Limited competition
Little formal player care
But the opportunities are even greater:
Proximity — national players train and live within minutes of each other
Community — every club knows every player by name
Identity — football here still feels human, emotional, unmanufactured
The Shortest Distance to the Top
In larger nations, women’s football wrestles with uneven professionalisation.
In Gibraltar, we can skip steps — building modern standards from the start, not retrofitting them onto outdated systems.
The women’s game here isn’t held back by tradition; it’s fuelled by purpose.
The distance between an under-15 player at Mons Calpe Women and a senior international can be measured not in years, but in commitment.
As one young player put it:
“In Gibraltar, we can build our football right — if people believe it matters.”
Player Care: The Hidden Frontier
In Gibraltar, the greatest gap isn’t talent — it’s support.
Most players still study or work full-time. Nutrition, recovery, and mental wellbeing are luxuries, not guarantees.
But in a community this small, change can happen faster than anywhere else.
A shared Player Care Programme — uniting clubs and the national association — could raise standards overnight, reduce dropouts, and show how micro-nations can build sustainably.
Professionalism doesn’t always mean full-time contracts.
It means full-time care, full-time respect, and the consistency to treat players like professionals — even when they still have day jobs or are in full time studies.
Europe at Arm’s Length
Gibraltar sits in a unique position: part of UEFA, yet small enough to be agile.
Part of Europe, yet still defining its football identity.
Partnerships with clubs like London City Lionesses or academies in Spain aren’t just symbolic — they’re accelerators.
Cross-border collaboration can become Gibraltar’s superpower, allowing us to borrow expertise, share player-care systems, and adapt professionalism to local reality.
It’s not about imitation. It’s about connection.
A New Kind of Growth
Gibraltar’s women’s football doesn’t need to mirror England’s WSL or Spain’s Liga F.
It can be something purer — a test of what happens when a small nation decides to take women’s football seriously before it becomes fashionable.
The challenge isn’t resources, it’s rhythm — learning to grow without losing the community heartbeat that makes it special.
Because on this small Rock, surrounded by sea and story, the potential is extraordinary.
Gibraltar can reach the top faster because it’s starting from truth, not legacy.
And if we get the foundations right — care, consistency, and connection — this could become one of European football’s most inspiring stories.
The Real Dream
The future won’t be built in stadiums, but in trust — between clubs, players, and a country learning to see women’s football not as novelty, but as necessity.
Gibraltar doesn’t need validation. It needs visibility, vision, and belief. And from this Rock that has always stood alone — that might just be enough.
Mons Calpe Women — born from the soul of Gibraltar Wave FC.
Building belief before budget, purpose before prestige.
#GibraltarWaveFC
#MonsCalpeWomen
#FromTheRockToTheWorld
BY COLIN
FCB MAGPIES HAVE MADE AN IMPRESSIVE START AT YOUTH LEVEL FOLLOWING THE COMPLETE AMALGAMATION WITH CALPE CITY. COACHES ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO ESTABLISH A STABLE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH PLAYERS CAN THRIVE.
To further strengthen the programme, Colin Griffiths has been appointed as Head of Coaching. A UEFA A Licence candidate with extensive experience in player development and high-performance environments, Griffiths will provide strategic guidance and ensure coaching methods are aligned across all age groups from U10 to U18. In December, he will deliver a masterclass for all coaches, showcasing the planning, structure, and execution of sessions, followed by a Q&A.
Off the field, the club’s youth policies and player pathway continue to evolve, setting a benchmark comparable to professional academies. FCB Magpies are the first club in Gibraltar to introduce this role, with Griffiths working closely alongside Academy Manager Luke Timmins and Youth Committee Lead Philip Ghio. Together, they share an ambition to build the strongest youth development structure in Gibraltar. This commitment is reflected throughout the club, with the first team proudly featuring 18 local players in a 24man squad.
attitude. In addition, GIS offers dedicated football sessions to increase contact time, a valuable contribution given the reduced pitch availability during the redevelopment of Victoria Stadium. The collaboration continues to strengthen and remains a major asset for both new and returning players.
FCB MAGPIES FCB MAGPIES
Recruitment efforts are ongoing, with the club currently seeking players born in 2008–2006, 2010, and 2013–2014. FCB Magpies also welcome parents and children interested in joining the 2017–2018 (Year 3) team. For more information, please contact LTIMMINS@fcmagpies.com.
Season So Far Season So Far
The partnership with the Gibraltar Institute of Sport (GIS) has also been instrumental in supporting athlete preparation. GIS provides testing, data analysis, and collaborative coaching across the academy, with three weekly allocations shared among age groups. The results have been impressive—not only in measurable fitness improvements but also in players’ focus and
Looking ahead, tournament planning is well underway, with all squads set to participate in events abroad. The club is eager to reward its players with an international tour in 2026, with destinations including Portugal, Bilbao, Seville, and Sweden under consideration. These experiences are invaluable—offering players the opportunity to create lasting memories, deepen their passion for the game, and strengthen team spirit.
This season, a clear theme has emerged across the club: collaboration. Whether between players, staff, or the wider FCB Magpies community, a shared commitment to working together continues to drive progress on and off the field.
“Go tell it on the mountain. Over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain. That Jesus Christ is born!” FROM CHAOS TO CHRIST
Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a central religious holiday for Christians, celebrated with traditions like gift-giving, decorating, and family gatherings. It commemorates Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.
Christmas commemorates the birth of the Christian faith, with the name ‘Christmas’ coming from ‘Christ’s Mass’ … a church service held to remember Christ’s life, death and resurrection. The Christmas story, or Nativity, tells of Mary giving birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem, with angels announcing the birth to shepherds and wise men bringing gifts.
It is a time for gathering and feasting. For families and friends to come together for meals and celebrations, often with traditions like decorating a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, and singing carols.
The tradition of giving gifts, a major part of the modern celebration, reminds us of the Wise Men or Kings who brought gifts to the Baby Jesus in his manger, to show love and appreciation for his birth and so people exchange presents to show love and appreciation for one another.
Over time, Christmas has become a mix of religious and secular, pre-Christian, and cultural traditions, making it a significant event for people of many different faiths and none. Over time, the simple, pure essence of Christmas … peace, love and joy have become diluted and rather lost in the chaos of materialism and immediate gratification.
Christmas is just around the corner, once again, and many of us will already be aware of the feelings of overwhelm which so often go with this period. What is supposed to be the celebration of the Christ Child, and saviour of mankind, seems to have become increasingly more stressful
with each passing year. What used to be a simple and joyous period, filled with giving and appreciation, opening gifts around the tree, and tangerines in the toes of Christmas stockings has become a fanfare of spending and excess - the very things it never represented.
Christmas has become chaotic! Is it possible to return to the Christic essence of Christmas, the peace, the love and the joy while simultaneously moving forward, gently bringing these qualities with us to keep ourselves grounded and connected with one another in an increasingly disconnected world?
Do you remember wholesome Christmas dinners around the family table with crackers, silly hats and bad jokes? Do you remember conversations between mouthfuls? Do you remember a world without mobile phones and electronic devices holding court over our lives and interactions? Do you remember relaxing afterwards with full tummies, happy hearts and maybe a movie?
How delightfully old fashioned! Families had a holiday season, time to relax and return to work in The New Year feeling nourished, replenished and relaxed. Not so nowadays. Many children have no idea what Christmas is even about. No clue that Christmas has anything to do with simplicity, calm and connectedness. That the exchange of presents is reminding us of the Three Kings visiting Jesus in his manger bed and bringing presents fit for a King. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. That Christmas is a period of rebirth and replenishment not chaos and exhaustion.
The modern day materialism of the Christmas Season has become really quite ugly and chaotic with overspending on unnecessary and inappropriate presents which, all too often, go unappreciated because today’s children have so many things already that the specialness of gifts, as in days gone by, has been lost.
The world moves faster; life is busy and noisy and there is no time to just stop and make sense of why it has got so crazy and what we could actually do to return to the calm and simplicity of childhood Christmasses. Is it possible?
I believe it is. All change starts with making a decision. We could decide to simply step out of the chaos. How liberating would that be! To disengage from the frenetic pace, to go simple and throw guilt and shame to the wind! Mary and Joseph felt no shame at having their baby in a cattle shed with a manger for his bed. It doesn’t get much simpler than that! How exciting would it be to step aside and simplify every step. From presents to the Christmas tree … from Christmas dinner to the washing up! How about taking some quiet time to remember what Christmas is about … what we are actually celebrating and the enormity of what Christ’s birth did for humanity?
Regardless of your religious persuasion or otherwise, make the decision to celebrate Christmas this year, the true essence of Christmas and not the materialistic mayhem it has become. Be the one to set the tone - and be prepared for the gratitude of many around you who will be so glad that you did what they didn’t have the courage to do. Be the one to do what Jesus did and lead the way! That’s what he asks us to do - some will lead and some will follow and these roles are equally important.
Then, when the season is over, you will know just how to transform your daily life from chaos to calm. It is a life philosophy, a ‘quality of life’ concept which the world so desperately needs and which we can all aspire to. Just make the decision, relax into it and allow the rest to follow.
Kate McHardy MA(Hons) PGCE MSPH Spiritual coach, teacher and healer.
Email: katemch@gmail.com
FB: The University of Light Group
Tel: +44 7712889534
Married on the Rock Charles & Karyne
Married on 26th September in Gibraltar
Photographs by Jenna Brown
This year at our Christmas Craft Club, during the last week of term, we will be making Christmas decorations using lolly sticks and decorating wooden spoons as some of our favourite Christmas Characters.
We will also be reading lots of books about all things Christmas! One of our favourite’s is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr Suess. Its rhymed verses and unique illustrations make it fun for parents to read aloud to their children.
Remember paper doi lies? They make the perfect stencil for snowflakes. For one of our Christmas crafts at Totally Toddlers, we simply secure the doily to a paper plate with paper clips. Toddlers apply paint, usually dark blue, using a sponge. Then they simply peel off the doily to reveal the snowflake pattern. A perfect short winter craft for toddlers. Another fun craft is painting pinecones to make mini-Christmas trees. Toddlers paint a pinecone using green paint and then
It’s
@ PACS
AT PACS CHRISTMAS IS OUR FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR. HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS READS, CRAFTS, AND RECIPES TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT WE WILL BE DOING THIS DECEMBER!
add glitter and sequins to decorate. It’s also great fun to find your own pinecone if you can make it to the woods for a winter walk with the family.
Songs & Stories will have lots of glitter, sparkle, fairies, elves and snowman and at Cooking Club we will make Christ mas cookie jars as gifts for the fam ily. Whether they are store bought or homemade, tod dlers love decorating Christmas cookies with icing and sprinkles. In fact, some of their creations have more sprinkles than biscuit.
What's On @ PACS
TOTALLY TODDLERS - MONDAYS 9.45AM - 11.45AM
Mid Harbours Family Centre. Come join us for Storytime, craft and play.
PLAY SENSE - TUESDAYS 9.45AM - 11.15AM
Mid Harbours Family Centre. A quieter play session for those children who may find our other sessions overwhelming. To book, please email pacsgib@gmail.com.
BUMPS & BABIES - WEDNESDAYS 9.45AM - 12.00PM
The Methodist Church. Our regular social catch up for parents to be and babies in a home from home atmosphere. This is a relaxed session where parents can meet up with their young babies to enjoy a cup of tea, make friends and talk about the highs and lows of parenting.
PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON ALL OF OUR GROUPS: @ PACS GIBRALTAR
We’ll also be making Stripy Marzipan Cones.. a new one for us and the children!
Christmas won’t finish for us in December, as for the first time ever, we will be participating in the Cavalcade with a Julia Donaldson theme! Look out for us along the way.
We hope you can join us at our sessions this December to get into the Christmas spirit. Or try these stories, crafts, and recipe ideas at home.
Whether you are celebrating your baby’s first Christmas or have excited toddlers and pre-schoolers who are beginning to understand the magic of Christmas, we wish you a wonderful Christmas.
In the eyes of children, we find the joy of Christmas; in their hearts we find the meaning.
COOKING CLUB – WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 12.30 - 2.15PM
The Methodist Church. A fun session aimed at toddlers aged from 2.5 yrs upwards giving children the chance to make and try different foods. Booking required.
SENSORY STORYTIME – THURSDAYS 12.30 - 2PM
The Methodist Church. Come join us for some interactive Story Time Fun! Different themes every week!
DIDDY DISCOVERERS – FRIDAYS 9.45 - 11.45AM
The Methodist Church. Come join us for free play, story time and song time fun!
MONTHLY CRAFT CLUBS
Ages 2.5 upwards. Details will be announced on our Facebook page.
VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED!
If reading that inspired any of you, we are always on the lookout for new volunteers. Any help is always well received, and you’ll be working with a great bunch of people. There is never a dull moment! Please contact us through our Facebook Page if you’d like more information! Contact Us for more information!
PHARMACY INSIGHT MEDICAL DIRECTORY
USING THE GHA APPOINTMENT SYSTEM
Same day appointments – Only when necessary:
If you need a same day appointment call 200 52441 between 8:15am and 11:00am
If you need an emergency evening clinic appointment call 200 52441 between 4:00pm and 6:00pm
Advanced Appointments:
Patients who wish to make an advanced appointment or a telephone consultation with their named or preferred GPs may do so for up to 4 weeks in advance by; Calling 200 52441 between 11:00am and 3:00pm
Booking online via Gov.gi:
By using the Gov.gi eServices app
Other Services:
Patients who wish to use the following services,
• Over70’s Driving Medical
• Blood Clinic
• Well person or Sexual Health Clinic
• Smoke Cessation Clinic
May either
a) Call 200 52441 between 11:00am and 3:00pm,
b) Book online via Gov.gi
c) On the Gov.gi eServices app
Other Primary Care services:
Cancel an appointment - please call 200 72355 between 8:15am and 3:00pm or do so online via www.gha.gi
Repeat Prescriptions – please call 200 07909 between 11:00am and 3:00pm or do so online via Gov.gi or in the Gov.gi eServices app
Sick Note - please fill in the required form online via www.gha.gi or Gov.gi
General enquiries - please call 200 72355 between 8:15am and 3:00pm.
For urgent medical advice, patients can call 111 at any time.
Wrapped Up
AS THE SEASONS SHIFT, SO DO OUR SCHEDULES – BRINGING US TO QUESTION HOW EVEN ONE HOUR CAN THROW US OFF. WHEN THE CLOCKS CHANGE, OUR CIRCADIAN RHYTHM (THE NATURAL BODY CLOCK THAT RUNS ON A 24-HOUR CYCLE) CAN GET A SHAKE-UP. THIS SUDDEN TIME SHIFT MAY MESS WITH SLEEP, MOOD AND PRODUCTIVITY, LEAVING US FEELING A LITTLE OFF BALANCE, HOWEVER, THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO NURTURE OUR FAMILY’S WELLBEING AND STRENGTHEN OUR IMMUNITY FOR THE MONTHS AHEAD.
Try and practice good sleep hygiene: this includes habits and your environment, as they can all influence sleep for better or worse. Try keeping your bedroom cool, quiet and dark, avoiding screens for at least 30 minutes before bed
Create a consistent sleep routine: going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm). This helps promote better quality sleep and makes falling asleep and waking up easier.
Kids’ bedtimes can often be a problem, especially when the clocks change. There is no quick fix for this, but either transition gradually for a few days or go cold turkey. If you want a gradual transition, make that first bedtime 9pm (technically still 8) and get earlier by 10-15 minutes each night, or make the transition immediately, sending them to bed at the new 8pm. It might mean a few gripes (especially if they’re old enough to realise what’s going on), but following good sleep hygiene, like keeping the room dark, will help them drift off. There’s a chance they’ll wake up an hour earlier than usual, though, so be prepared!
To help drop off to sleep, try H&B Expert Sleep “Good Night” capsules
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that typically occurs when daylight hours are shorter. Reduced sunlight exposure can disrupt the body’s internal clock and lower serotonin levels, leading to feelings of sadness, fatigue, and low motivation. One contributing factor to SAD is a drop in vitamin D levels, since sunlight is a major source of this nutrient. Vitamin D plays an important role in reg-
ulating mood and supporting brain function, and deficiencies have been linked to increased risk of depression. Taking vitamin D supplements, such as Holland & Barrett Vitamin D3 4000 I.U., or increasing dietary intake during the darker months may help boost mood, improve energy levels, and reduce the symptoms of SAD, especially for those of us who get limited sun exposure.
To make sure that your kids and babies are getting enough Vitamin D, Holland & Barrett have Vitamin D gummies and H&B Vitamin D3 Drops. Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, teeth and muscle function and is needed for normal growth and development of bones in children whilst also contributing to the normal function of the immune system.
If you are feeling stressed in the run up to Christmas, essential oils like lavender, frankincense, and chamomile can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep during the holiday period. To boost immunity, consider eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon oils. For energy and focus, peppermint and citrus oils like orange are beneficial. You can also use scents like pine, cinnamon, and clove to create a festive atmosphere. They can be used in so many different ways, each as invigorating as the other. You can inhale them, steam them, apply them, bathe or shower in them and diffuse them, but make sure to follow any instructions and don’t let undiluted oil touch your skin. Holland & Barrett have a great selection of essential oils, ideal for making your own Christmas blends. If you are in need of an energy boost, opt for Tisserand brand and blend your own mix
such as Lemon, Tea Tree, Bergamot and Nutmeg for a positive mind-set and happy vibes, whatever the task ahead.
Your immune system is a complex network of cells, organs, antibodies, and more, designed to protect your body from harm. The autumn and winter months can affect your immune system in several ways: indoor heating and cold weather dry out the mucous membranes in your nose and throat, making it easier for viruses to enter; we tend to spend more time indoors or in crowded spaces which can increase exposure to viruses like the flu, colds, and RSV; disrupted routines can reduce sleep quality, which weakens immunity and we may eat fewer fresh fruits and vegetables in winter, reducing antioxidant and micronutrient intake.
There are several ways you can help keep your immune system in good working order, including eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of fluids (limiting alcohol), minimising your intake of foods high in fat, sugar and salt, exercising regularly and reducing stress where you can.
If you need a little extra help, try H&B Expert High Strength Triple Action Immune Support Capsules, to give you essential immune support of Vitamins C and D, Zinc, Selenium and Copper, plus powerful natural actives Black elderberry, Garlic & Quercetin. Also with the added benefit of Live friendly bacteria to support a healthy gut microbiome.
ADVISORY INFORMATION: Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or are under medical supervision, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional and always read the label before use.
BREATHE EASY:
WHY IT’S TIME TO QUIT SMOKING FOR GOOD
Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness and death worldwide - and Gibraltar is no exception. Each puff may seem small and harmless, but tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and at least 70 known to cause cancer. The impact on your health, your loved ones, and your quality of life is far greater than many realise.
THE HIDDEN TOLL ON YOUR HEALTH
Smoking affects nearly every organ in the body. It narrows your blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and damages your heart and lungs. Over time, smokers face a much higher risk of:
• Heart disease and stroke
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema
• Cancers of the lung, mouth, throat, bladder, and pancreas
• Reduced fertility and complications during pregnancy
• Weakened immune system and slower wound healing
Even a few cigarettes a day can cause lasting damage. But here’s the good
news, your body begins to heal the moment you stop. Within 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse begin to return to normal. Within days, your lungs start to clear, and within a year, your risk of heart attack is cut in half.
SECOND HAND SMOKE: A SILENT THREAT
The dangers extend beyond the smoker. Family, friends, and children who inhale second hand smoke face higher risks of asthma, respiratory infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. Quitting isn’t just a personal victory plus it’s a gift to those around you.
HELP IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
Breaking the habit can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Gibraltar Health Authority’s Smoking
Cessation Clinic offers free, confidential support to help you quit for good. Trained health professionals provide practical strategies, nicotine replacement therapy, and one-to-one guidance tailored to your needs.
Every quit attempt brings you one step closer to success and the clinic is here to help you make that step count.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY
If you’re ready to quit smoking or simply want more information, contact the Gibraltar Health Authority Smoking Cessation Clinic on 20052441
Your lungs, your heart, and your future self will thank you
YOUR TRUSTED GP PRACTICE CARING FOR ALL YOUR HEALTH NEEDS
At Central Clinic we believe that health is the foundation of a happy, fulfilling life. Conveniently located in Horsebarrack Lane, just off Main Street, our dedicated team of healthcare professionals is here to support you every step of the way—whether you need routine medical care, specialised therapies, or health and wellbeing guidance. We’re committed to providing personalised, compassionate care tailored to your individual needs. To us you are unique, not just a number.
Our practice offers a wide range of services designed to keep you healthy and active. From managing everyday health concerns to addressing complex conditions, we are your one-stop destination for comprehensive healthcare. Our experienced team includes GP doctors, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, counsellors, occupational physiotherapist, and other specialists, all focused on delivering the highest standards of medical care.
Looking for alternative and holistic treatments? We offer acupuncture sessions to help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall wellbeing. Our physiotherapists are here to support your recovery from injury, enhance mobility, and manage musculoskeletal issues. Struggling with muscle pain? We provide targeted injections that can provide rapid relief and restore your comfort.
Mental health matters. Our clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors are available to help you navigate life’s challenges—whether it’s anxiety, depression, grief or
relationship issues. We understand that’s all part of caring for your overall wellbeing, and we’re here to listen and support you with evidence-based therapies in a safe, confidential environment.
If you’re looking to make positive lifestyle changes, our health and wellbeing team can guide you through effective weight loss strategies, nutritional advice, and fitness plans tailored to your goals. We believe that a holistic approach to health encompasses both mind and body, and we’re committed to helping you achieve your best self.
At Central Clinic, we’re passionate about making healthcare accessible, affordable, and personalized. Whether you need a routine check-up, specialist treatment, or simply some advice to stay healthy, our team is here to help you maintain your optimal health. No matter your age or health concern, we care for all—children, adults, and seniors alike.
Don’t wait for problems to escalate—schedule a consultation today and experience healthcare that truly cares. Our friendly staff are here to assist with appointments, advice, and ongoing support. Visit us online at centralclinicgibraltar.com, Facebook, Twitter or call 00350 20059955 to book your appointment.
At Central Clinic your health is our priority. Together, we can help you live a healthier, happier life. Contact us now and take the first step towards better health.
Your health, cared for. Your life, renewed.
mental health men's in2025
I’m a male therapist. I spend my days (and too many evenings) talking to men about the stuff we’ve been trained not to talk about. The brittle bravado. The sleepless nights. The pints that have turned from “cheers” to “crutch”. The dread on the commute. The I’m-fine mask that slips only in the shower. Some of the men I’ve worked with are still here and flourishing. A few, more than any therapist should have to say, have taken their own lives. Every one of them male. None of them the first in the room to say, “I need help.”
If that opening line made you sit up, good. Because the numbers in Britain right now should keep us all awake. In 2023, 6,069 people in England and Wales died by suicide, our highest rate since 1999. Men accounted for the majority, with a male rate of 17.4 deaths per 100,000, roughly three times the female rate. In 2024, the picture barely budged: 6,190 suicides registered, with the male rate still about three times higher. Among men, the highest rates are in midlife, recently 50–54 has overtaken 45–49 as the peak risk group. That’s not a niche issue. That’s your dad, your brother, your mate from five-a-side, your boss who “seems fine.”
You’ve probably heard it before, but it bears repeating: suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK. It’s a stark fact, not scaremongering. If that sounds unbelievable, what about cancer, heart disease, road traffic accidents?, well, those kill too, but suicide still tops the list in that age bracket.
And if you think this is only about certain men, think again. New analysis by the Office for National Statistics shows that LGB+ adults have over twice the rate of suicide compared with heterosexual adults, and much higher rates of hospital-treated self-harm. Put bluntly: stigma can stack, and where it stacks, risk rises.
“I’ll Sort It Myself” (And Other Famous Last Words)
Why are men so vulnerable and, at the same time, so reluctant to seek help? Partly because we’ve been marinated in a recipe called Masculinity 1.0: be stoic, be strong, be self-reliant, be silent. A vast body of research connects these norms with delayed help-seeking and worse outcomes for depression and anxiety. One landmark review found that conformity to traditional masculine norms affects how men experience depression, whether they recognise it, and whether they’ll ask for help. Another classic paper showed how the social rules of “being a man” quietly steer us away from doctors, therapists, and even honest conversations with friends.
More recent reviews show the same pattern: higher adherence to “tough it out” norms predicts lower help-seeking and poorer engagement with treatment. This isn’t about shaming men for being men; it’s about naming a design flaw in the cultural operating system. The fix isn’t to tell men to “be more like women.” It’s to update masculinity so that “I asked for help” counts as courage, not capitulation. Here’s how the reluctance shows up in services. Despite men bearing the brunt of suicide statistics, only around a third of referrals to NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) are men. That imbalance doesn’t just appear out of thin air; it reflects attitudes, awareness, and how services are branded and delivered. If the doorway looks like it’s been designed for someone else, don’t be shocked that blokes walk past it.
The Office Is Not OK (Even If Your Teams Status Says “Available”)
Work is the great stage where men perform functioning adulthood. Yet the stress script has become absurd. The Health and Safety
Executive estimates that 776,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023/24, accounting for roughly half of all work-related ill-health, and those conditions alone cost 16.4 million working days lost. The average person in this group took 21 days off. That’s not just “a few duvet days”; it’s the wheels coming off.
Men often cling to the job as the final bastion of identity and worth. Lose footing there, redundancy, demotion, toxic culture, and the spiral can be swift. You won’t always see it. It’s hard to spot distress in a man who still hits his deadlines but hasn’t felt pleasure in months. And yet, it’s everywhere in clinics: the bloke whose “work’s a bit full-on” turns out to be answering emails at 2am and Googling “heart attack symptoms” at 4am.
A Quick Detour Through the Numbers (Because Feelings Alone Won’t Shift Policy)
• Male suicide rate (England & Wales, 2023): 17.4 per 100,000; female rate 5.7. Total deaths 6,069. In 2024, total deaths 6,190 with similar rates; highest male rate now 50–54.
• Under-50s: Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK.
• Help-seeking gap: Only 36% of referrals to NHS Talking Therapies are men.
• Workplace burden: 776,000 workers affected by work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023/24; 16.4 million days lost; average 21.1 days off per case.
• LGB+ risk: LGB+ adults have a suicide rate of 50.3 per 100,000 vs 23.1 for heterosexual adults (2021–2023 linked data); self-harm requiring hospital care was 2.5 times higher.
I’m labouring the stats not to fix sadness with spreadsheets, but because better policy is written in the language of numbers. When the numbers shout, budgets move.
What It Looks Like in the Room
Humour helps. Not the “banter” that kicks the can down the road, but the kind that defuses shame. I’ve told clients, “If stoicism burnt calories, we’d both be on the cover of Men’s Health.” We laugh, and then we talk about why the gym is easier than telling your partner you haven’t felt like yourself since the baby arrived.
I’ve seen men insist they’re “not depressed” while describing classic symptoms: irritability, sleep wrecked, snapping at kids, Sunday-night dread, numbing with drink or doom-scrolling. Depression in men often wears anger’s clothes. Anxiety gets mislabelled as “stress” until the panic attacks turn up in meetings. And loneliness? It’s rife particularly after break-ups, redundancies, or retirement. The WhatsApp groups go quiet. The phone, too.
When men don’t speak up, it isn’t because they don’t feel. It’s because many of us learned that feelings are like electricals in the bath: dangerous, best avoided. Research backs this up: men’s help-seeking is shaped by social expectations, fears about competence and status, and doubts about whether services will “get” them. Tailoring support to men’s preferences, practical focus, clear goals, privacy, sometimes even calling it something other than “therapy” improves engagement.
Five Myths I Wish I Could Retire
Myth 1: “Real men don’t get depressed.” Real men get colds, kidney stones, and mid-table football teams. They also get depression and anxiety. The difference is whether they treat it. Studies repeatedly show that help-seeking is lower where “be tough, be silent” norms are strongest.
Myth 2: “Talking makes it worse.” Not when done safely. The Samaritans’ media guidance exists for a reason, how we speak about suicide matters. Honest conversation reduces isolation; sensationalism raises risk. In therapy, a man saying “I’m not sure I want to be here anymore” is the door opening, not closing.
Myth 3: “If he was really struggling, he’d ask.” The men I lost were not the first to put their hands up. If asking for help feels like failure, silence can last years—sometimes, fatally.
Myth 4: “Work is the problem; I’ll fix work and be fine.” Work is a big piece, but not the whole puzzle. Changing jobs helps some, but chronic stress and untreated depression follow you like a sly suitcase. Evidence shows the scale of work-related distress; it also shows recovery needs more than a new LinkedIn headline.
Myth 5: “Services are packed, so what’s the point?” Waiting lists exist, but there are multiple doors, GPs, NHS Talking Therapies, charities, peer groups, and early contact reduces risk. The talking therapies pipeline moves hundreds of thousands through assessment and treatment each year. And yes, services must keep improving how they reach men.
What Actually Helps (Beyond “Mate, Cheer Up”)
1) Make help-seeking man-shaped. Offer choices: in-person, phone, video. Keep language plain. Focus on goals (“sleep by midnight in four weeks”, “cut weekday drinking in half”). Research suggests men engage better with practical, skills-based work—behavioural activation, problem-solving therapy, CBT, particularly when coupled with a coach-like stance.
2) Change the packaging, not the product. Call it “performance coaching” if that’s the only way he’ll walk through the door; once he’s in, we can treat the same nervous system. There’s evidence that coaching-style formats can be more appealing to some men.
3) Recruit the team. Men often respond to peer accountability. A group text that says “Run at 7?” is therapy with trainers on. Build micro-rituals: Wednesday five-a-side, Friday coffee, Sunday walk. It’s not small talk; it’s small scaffolding.
4) Tackle the big three: sleep, booze, breath. Set an alarm to go to bed (not just to wake up). Keep alcohol days off sacrosanct; the “I deserve it” pint is a mood loan with nasty interest. Box breathing in the loo cubicle before the meeting is not Instagram-worthy, but it works.
5) Put work in its place. If your entire identity is your job title, you’ve put all your eggs in a basket that has quarterly earnings calls. The HSE data are flashing amber; talk to your manager, HR, or union early. Document workload. Ask for adjustments.
6) Know the red flags, and what to do next. Dramatic mood shifts; giving away prized possessions; “You’d be better off without me”; researching means; sudden calm after distress, these warrant urgent action. If you’re worried about someone: ask them directly if they’re thinking about suicide, stay with them, reduce immediate risks, and get professional help. That conversation saves lives more often than you think. (For immediate support, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123.)
What Services Must Do (Because This Isn’t Just on Men)
Design for men who don’t self-identify as “clients.” That’s most of them. Flexible appointment times, discreet clinic entrances, clear messaging about confidentiality. Default to first-session goals that feel businesslike, even if you later deepen the work.
Invite masculinity in, don’t shame it out. I don’t ask blokes to bin stoicism; I ask them to use it wisely. The same strength that got you through a 12-hour shift can get you through exposure therapy. The trick is to apply grit to the right tasks.
Mind the intersectional risks. If a service doesn’t feel safe for LGB+ men, minority ethnic men, or men with disabilities, many simply won’t come. Build competence and trust. The new ONS data should be a wake-up call to commission targeted, culturally intelligent support, not one-size-fits-no-one leaflets.
Meet men where they already are. Gyms, barbers, football clubs, workplaces, veterans’ hubs, fatherhood groups. Every time we’ve brought support to those spaces, engagement has jumped. (You don’t need a water feature and whale music. You need a sign that says “It’s normal to talk here.”)
If You’re a Man Reading This
Try this honest inventory:
• How’s your sleep? Under six hours isn’t a personality trait; it’s a stress hormone delivery plan.
• Alcohol? If it’s daily, it’s doing your mood no favours - even if it helps short-term.
• Movement? You don’t have to love running. Ten brisk minutes beats zero minutes.
• Connection? When did you last tell a mate something true about your week?
• Work? If you disappeared for a fortnight, would your life collapse—or just your inbox?
• Help? If your car made that noise, you’d see a mechanic. You’re allowed the human equivalent.
And if this piece feels a bit close to home: book the GP. Ask for a double appointment for mental health. Refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies (you can self-refer in most areas). If you’ve had thoughts about suicide, tell someone you trust today and call 116 123 if you’re struggling. These are not admissions of defeat; they’re acts of maintenance on your one irreplaceable engine.
If You Love a Man
Don’t wait for the Hurt Man Pageant where he performs Distress loudly enough to meet your threshold. Ask better questions: instead of “You alright?”, try “What’s been the hardest part of this week?” Offer specifics “Walk at 7?”not “If you need anything…”. If you’re worried, say so plainly and kindly. And remember: asking someone about suicide does not “put the idea in their head”. It puts a hand on their shoulder.
The Bit I Wish I Didn’t Have to Write
As I said, I’ve lost patients. I can think of their faces, their families, and the moments when we almost turned it around. None of them were the first to raise their hand for help. That doesn’t mean men don’t want help; it means the runway is too short and the signals too faint. The point of telling you this isn’t to mine tragedy for drama, that’s exactly what we should avoid, but to insist that preventable deaths are preventable. Every time we normalise help-seeking, shorten waits, tailor services, and train workplaces properly, we lengthen the runway.
A Serious Ending (With a Dash of Hope)
Men aren’t broken. Our scripts are. For decades we’ve told boys, “Be brave,” but defined bravery so narrowly that half the human experience got stamped “not for you”. The fix is cultural, clinical, and practical. Speak differently. Design differently. Measure what matters. Fund what works. And when in doubt, ask a man how he’s really doing and then make space for the answer, even if it’s messy, even if it takes longer than the advert break. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out now. Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7). Your GP and NHS Talking Therapies can help with assessment and treatment. If someone is at immediate risk, call 999. Sensitive reporting guidelines exist for a reason; lives depend on how we talk about this.
Chauen arrived at the pound as a young, energetic dog of about one year old and has now spent two long years behind bars. Despite his difficult life in confinement, he remains hopeful and affectionate, showing great resilience and a deep longing for human connection. Chauen loves his walks, where he can finally run, play, and explore the world beyond the cage moments that reveal his joyful and gentle nature. He truly deserves a loving home where he can experience freedom, companionship, and the care he has been waiting for so patiently.
www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk
Boo is 5 years old and gets on well with male and female dogs. He is an independent boy who likes some attention but is also happy in his own company. He comes round well once he gets to know and trust people and would thrive in the proper home where he can relax.
More info: www.ainf.gi
Amapola arrived at the in April 2025, around two years old. She is a gorgeous and friendly girl who has adapted well to life at the pound, sharing her space peacefully with other dogs. Amapola loves going for walks, enjoys exploring her surroundings, and behaves beautifully around people and other dogs. Gentle, affectionate, and playful, she is a truly lovely dog who deserves a caring home where she can share all her love and joy.
www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk
Beautiful Finn is only two years old but has had a hard life already after being abandoned and left tied to a tree. Despite this he has a lovely character. He is well socialised and submissive in a dog group, he gets on well with other dogs and he is very affectionate. He is looking for a family to have fun and stay active with.
More info: www.ainf.gi
A PET IS FOR LIFE... NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS
NOW THE FESTIVE SEASON APPROACHES THERE IS AN UNWAVERING DESIRE AMONGST SOME PEOPLE TO ACQUIRE A PET EITHER FOR THEMSELVES OR FOR A FAMILY MEMBER.
This article is written not to deter people but produced in an effort to try and prevent impulse purchases, to try and make individuals more aware of the ramifications and responsibilities of taking on an animal.
Primarily what must be realised is that acquiring an animal, any living creature, immediately makes you responsible for that animal’s care, quality of life and survival. The principal animal charities at this time of year carry articles on dogs and cats primarily; unfortunately this is only a drop in the ocean. How many people purchase birds, aquarium fish, hamsters, reptiles, guinea pigs etc? How many of these actually die in the first few months due to neglect?
Before getting a pet, you should always ask yourselves a few pertinent questions.
• Do you have the time to look after the animal? All animals require time spent on them, animal cages need cleaning, aquariums need cleaning , dogs have to be walked regularly, cat’s litter trays have to be cleaned out regularly, vivariums need to be monitored for warmth/humidity, etc ,etc. After the novelty wears off and the excitement ears off you still need to find the time, these animals are dependent on you. You have taken the responsibility of looking after a living breathing creature and they are totally dependent on you for their survival.
• Does the pet require any special care? The most common cause of death I have encountered amongst animals over all my years of practice has been bad animal husbandry. I have seen dying reptiles bought into the clinic dying of starvation, primarily out of ig-
norance, where the animal has been fed the wrong diet or the temperature of the vivarium has been too low resulting in the animal not been able to digest its food.
• Can I afford to keep a pet? Animals are a continual drain on resources, they will need money spent on them throughout their lives, they are not a computer game that after the festive period is left unused in a cupboard!! Different animals carry varied financial burdens, but this must be quantified. Even different sized animals carry dramatically different costs, a Chihuahua will eat less and medication will be significantly less than a larger breed like a Great Dane. So before getting an animal please make sure you can afford the maintenance costs.
• How long can the animal live for? Remember once you have a pet you are in it for the long haul. You might be a rabbit for your child , this rabbit could live for 10 years, your child might be married and have his own kid before the rabbit passes away!! Parrots can live for decades as can tortoises!! My point here is that make sure you are aware of how long these animals will be around for and that you will be responsible for them throughout their lives.
ALL THE STAFF AT THE GIBRALTAR VETERINARY CLINIC WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR.
• How large will the pet become? The most extreme cases that I have seen are individuals that have purchased small pigs that supposedly were supposed to be ‘miniature’ and remain small. If anyone is interested pop over to the Wildlife Park at the Alameda gardens and see how miniature a couple of these pigs have become!!! Another very sad case that I have witnessed is one where an iguana became too large and was released into the Nature Reserve, if was bought into the clinic dead as it had starved to death. On this note I would like to add that releasing an animal into the wild is beyond the pale, apart from the fact that it might die, it could in theory survive and put pressure on native species.
• Can I give the pet the care and love it requires? Obviously different pets will need different levels of attention. For example, a hand reared parrot will needs countless hours of your family time, otherwise they will develop medical problems brought on by stress. In fact a lot of medical conditions can be as a result of lack of attention, it is not enough to just feed and clean your animal.
Getting a pet for Christmas carries loads of caveats , these are living creatures that will be dependent on yourselves for their survival, so getting a pet carries loads of responsibility and you must be aware of this and prepared to take this on.
Saying all this I hope I haven’t sounded too negative, I personally have a bit of a menagerie at home, pets can give you a lot of pleasure and happiness, but please look have them. Have yourselves a Merry Xmas and prosperous New Year.
For more information please phone Gibraltar Vetinary Clinic on 200 77334
WORDS BY MARK PIZARRO
Beautiful Bimba is a gentle soul with a heart full of love. She adores cuddles and being close to people — all she wants is to share her affection with someone special. Her previous owner could no longer care for her, but Bimba still believes in second chances and is waiting patiently for a forever home where she’ll never be lonely again.
Could you be the one to give Nieves the happy ending she’s been waiting for?
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Minnie (5 months old)
Little Minnie is a bundle of love and joy — playful, sweet, and always ready for a snuggle. Life changed when her family had to move and couldn’t take her along, but she hasn’t lost her bright spirit. Minnie is now dreaming of a new family to love her, play with her, and watch her grow into the wonderful cat she’s meant to be.
Visit: www.kittycatrefugio.org
Tel: 0034 613 851 679
Email: refugekittycat@gmail.com
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ENTER & WIN
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Email your completed entry along with your name and contact number to jeaninsight@gibtelecom.net.
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