Feature - page 49

The online gaming industry is a key part of Gibraltar’s economy and due to its unique position within Europe it has been renowned as one of the main iGaming hubs in the world, but recently several factors have threatened that position. Insight talks to Paul Foster, CEO of The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA).

The GBGA has operated since January 2005, and in April 2013 it was incorporated as a trade association representing licensed gaming operators in Gibraltar. “As the number of licences increased from the original three or four upwards, the Government decided that they wanted to work with a group of gaming companies rather than individually with each company, so we formed the GBGA,” Paul Foster explains. Currently there are 28 members split between B2B and B2C brands. 

COVID-19 was one of those factors that had a huge impact on the iGaming industry in Gibraltar, and Paul says that like everyone else the issue at the start of the pandemic was how to get staff either into the office or working from home. “One of the benefits is that we are a truly international industry, versed in using online chat, Team, Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc., so for the gaming companies it was just a matter of making sure that individuals had the technology to be able to work from home.” This meant buying laptops for employees who didn’t have access to one, but that came with its own logistical problems. “Thankfully, everybody has smart phones so they could carry on working, albeit inefficiently until we were able to supply the laptops. 

Paul goes on to state that the second impact was on their operators who had land based businesses which immediately meant that they faced cash flow and operational challenges. “That is where it hit the gaming industry.”

BREXIT has cast a long shadow over the future of the gaming industry in Gibraltar for quite some time. “There were two issues here,” Paul says. “One was the ability to provide services into the EU and the industry became aware that no matter what happened, unless there was a fantastic deal, there was a real risk that we wouldn’t be able to provide gaming services from Gibraltar into the EU.” What transpired was that the gambling companies very quickly reacted and set up EU entities so that they could provide services from elsewhere like Malta, setting up satellite offices for the European element of the business. Gibraltar basically just provides head office services for some companies but they also provide services into the UK and non-EU countries such as the US, Latin America, Africa and Asia.”

Asked what major benefits, particularly with the industry in mind, will being a part of the Schengen Area bring, Paul says that one of the risks was the prospect of reduced border fluidity. “Prior to Covid-19 a lot of planning involvedbusiness continuity and setting up secondary offices across the border, but one of the impacts of the pandemic was that people started working from home, so when it came to BREXIT and the border situation most of our members were more relaxed as a result of it .”The concern was that when restrictions were lifted, would employees be able to come back over the border to work and if there was a problem at the border everyday this could lead to a brain drain in Gibraltar.

“We were very happy when we found out that the Government had negotiated the “in principle”agreement because we need freedom of movement across the border for our highly skilled workers and remember a lot of these skilled workers are European – they are not ex-pat Brits, they are from Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and Portugal, so the kind of deal that has been done is excellent.” 

Paul confirms that the GBGA has been working closely with the Gibraltar Government in all aspects. “MHGOGhas been very supportive of the industry and we have worked closely together on the CELAC committee for Covid, we have had monthly meetings with them on Brexit, and now we are working with them on the solution for the Border Agreement, so we are very happy with our relationship with the Government and they are very supportive and very open with us.”Paul confirmed that the gaming industry chose not to take advantage of the Business & Employee Business Terms (BEAT) Covid-19 support packages in the belief that support should go to the people who have the greatest needs.

“At the original CELAC meeting the gaming companies immediately said they would not take any money even if they were suffering because of retail, but we are mostly online, so we asked GoG to exclude us from the BEAT payments and from furloughing.” He added that they also offered the Government and the GHA access to facilities such as parking spaces, the use of apartments for nurses and the use of call centres on a temporary basis. 

“Gibraltar is still seen as a very good gaming hub,” Paul states. “The Government of Gibraltar are very supportive of the sector and in terms of the external parameters, Gibraltar is still the place to be and a lot of people still want to be licensed here.” He goes on to add that there is a real nucleus of gaming, IT and marketing professionals in Gibraltar which means that the industry always has access to new employees if needed. “The key industry players have been here a long time and they are not planning to leave unless something major changes.”

“The future for the gaming industry in Gibraltar is bright because we are still the innovation hub of the world in online gaming, but we will always caveat that and say the “in principle” agreement needs to be finalised and subject to that it will reduce any potential impact on the gaming sector.”

The Gambling Regulator is quite open that there are a lot of companies still applying for gaming licences in Gibraltar. “Firstly, it is a great place to live especially if you are able to live in Spain and commute across to Gibraltar,” Paul says. “Secondly, other companies want to come to piggyback on the experience and knowledge that is in Gibraltar and there is always a list of people applying for licences here, and at the GBGA we are always happy to talk to new companies and explain the process.”

Paul is optimistic for the future of the industry in Gibraltar. “The gaming industry has been here for over 22 years and it is very committed to Gibraltar and the Government of Gibraltar is committed to us and we have a great symbiotic relationship, so the GBGA is very positive on behalf of our members and although there will always be companies coming and going, mergers and acquisitions – overall the innovative and prominent gaming hub of Gibraltar will grow and thrive.”

The fundamental need of any business is to provide service excellence to customers in order to remain in and grow their business. Without customers, a business cannot not survive. Without a solid reputation for excellence, it cannot grow. If the trust of a customer is lost, you will likely lose the customer. Furthermore, if you lose publicly the trust of the marketplace, even with deep reserves, you will struggle to attract new customers.

The sure-fire way to compromise the trust of your customers is by losing their personal or commercial data or compromising their privacy.  There are no second chances following a successful cyber-attack and data breach, and there are no warm-up opportunities.  A cyber-attack need only be successful once, with any amount of data stolen, for privacy to be compromised, trust destroyed and uncertainty in a business’ excellence to be questioned – cue exodus of customers.  While no security programme is infallible, the harder a business is to hack, the greater likelihood another business will be targeted, and a breach averted.  Be easy to hack and you will be.  It is no longer a case of if, rather when.

To retain your customers, an overwhelming degree of trust in your ability to protect their personal data and privacy is expected.  Either your data security and cyber security is robust enough or it isn’t.  The frequency and sophistication of attacks increases daily – being lucky to date, does not correlate to being lucky in the future.

What is the importance of excellence in privacy and security?

Excellence is defined as the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.  Once a customer is contracted, excellence in the acquisition of other customers does not concern them; conversely excellence in the management and security of their affairs very much does.  If asked, any customer will state that on an importance scale of 1 – 10, the value they place on their privacy and security is 10.

Yet presently, only a very small number of businesses allocate specific budgets and resource to cyber security, and often the IT department will be expected to do what they can for cyber with an already under resourced IT budget.  Conversely, businesses will allocate large sums into their marketing, business development and sales functions to continue to attract new customers.

So, with maintenance of trust and protection of personal data and privacy being at importance level 10 why do most business fail to apply the corresponding focus on customer privacy and security and choose to adopt an: “we’ll be alright mentality?”

Managing cyber security, or cyber risk management, can be a frightening prospect.  As a relatively new and technical discipline, it can be daunting for a business without internal expertise to know what to do, where to invest and understand what good looks like.  Guessing, piecemeal action and sporadic investment is not an effective approach of excellence to cyber security and will leave gaps in security and a business vulnerable.

Why you need to take a framework approach to your Cyber Risk ManagemenT.

The best approach to achieving the greatest resilience is a comprehensive approach to all cyber threats, obviously….  But what does comprehensive look like in cyber security and who decides?  A comprehensive approach involves mitigating appropriately each type of cyber threat.  To enable the component threats of cyber-attack to be easier to understand and aid management, cyber security has been broken down into individual threat areas.  The threat areas are presented as a framework that businesses can use to ensure a comprehensive approach.

There are a number of international organisations across the globe that have established best-practice frameworks for managing cyber resilience.  These frameworks have evolved over time and in response to emerging threats, market experiences, academia and industry best practice.  The United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) 10 steps to Cyber Security is an example of such a framework.

Why Cyber Security Risk Management is an ongoing commitment.

Once is not enough!  Just as today’s cyber security framework evolved over time and in response to events, cyber threats continue to evolve every day.  The explosion of Internet of Things devices, artificial intelligence and the prospect of 5G/6G will present ever greater challenges.  Like it or not, today’s businesses stand in the middle of a cyber battlefield in a war that is unlikely to end.  Cyber risk management must become a cultural consideration for every business.  Just as one considers the health and resilience of their body to lead a full and fulfilling life, so now must businesses and individuals alike take constant consideration in their interaction with their digital landscape to ensure they remain resilient to cyber threats.

Michael Wills is co-founder and chief data officer for CSS Platinum.  

For further information on the company and the services it provides to Gibraltar businesses and the international yachting industry,
please visit https://cssplatinum.com or email support@cssplatinum.com.

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

With your practical nature and no-nonsense attitude, Aries, you find yourself entering the New Year with high hopes and yet feeling a little prickly under the skin. This is simply because you are feeling sensitive following the uncertainties of the last year and your inborn need to feel that you are in control. As the beginning of the year gives way to springtime things will feel rather more secure and you will be able to plan ahead without that nagging feeling that you might be letting someone down. So, lighten up as summer comes around and allow yourself to laugh a little at your worries and troubles. The second half of the year is a good time for you to work on your inner light. Engage in stillness and allow yourself to absorb the higher energies of the Universe. Open your heart to love in all its forms and know that, by doing so, you are having a profound effect on everyone you come into contact with. 

TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21)  

This year of 2021 offers great promise and release form the trials and tribulations of the past twelve months. Being the earth creature that you are, Taurus, with a need for stability, the uncertainty and upheaval of this time has affected you deeply. During the first half of this new year, you will find yourself slowly releasing your grip on the familiar and allowing yourself to let go of things which you acknowledge are no longer serving you but holding you back. As springtime comes around, as it will, so will you realise that the seasons of nature reflect the seasons of life and that there are indeed many certainties and things that we can rely on to be there for us in an unchanging way. Welcome the summer months with open arms and an open heart and remember that to honour and respect others you must first honour and respect yourself. By Christmas time you will feel whole again, safer and very much loved.

GEMINI (May 22 – Jun 22) 

You are the great communicator, Gemini, whether with words, body language or actions.  You have the ability to use this skill to hurt or to heal and in many situations your sense of humour and satire are your saving grace. In the aftermath of the global crisis of the last year, you will be called upon to use your skill as a healing tool. Many people are entering 2021 in a state of confusion and bewilderment. Gemini is the messenger energy who is given the role of soothing and healing wounded souls. During this year of transformation and transition you there will be many changes, for you and for others. Be aware that there will be trickery around so keep your intuition sharp and fresh and be ready to grow into the amazing purpose that you came on earth to share. Tune into the wisdom of the Universe that is available to you now. 

CANCER (Jun 23 – Jul 22)

Your generous, loyal and caring nature has been sorely put to the test over the last year, Cancer, but the good news is that it will be welcomed with open arms over the months of 2021. As the early months move into the new life of springtime, you will be able to walk into those arms and touch the hearts of many people. It isn’t that you haven’t been appreciated recently it is simply that people have been so preoccupied and so confused that they haven’t taken onboard what you have had to share. But your actions and your caring will come into its own and by the second half of the year you will be feeling much less frustrated and much clearer on your own way forward. When you feel a little misunderstood around October/November just remember that you carry light and wisdom in your aura and this is not always immediately recognized. Recognise your true self and the rest will follow. 

LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 23) 

Like many people over the last year, your energy has been rather scattered, Leo.  However, being Leo, and having extra measures of radiant energy this has left you depleted and even a little down about 2021 may be about to deliver. So, I am here to tell you that this is the year to rein in some of that energy  …  for the first few months of the year just step back from encouraging and reassuring others and spend some time doing this for yourself. Remember that when you are acting with the best and noblest of intentions (as you have been), you may well be misunderstood. There will always be those who want to put out the bright light of others. Seldom has this been more true than in the last twelve months. As we move into the more relaxed and warmer days of summer remain true to your own purpose and hold your vison like a bright burning flame. This will carry you on down to Christmas and a whole new you!

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sep 23)

 Being a wise soul, Virgo, you will find that this year will bring out the teacher in you and many people will be ready to listen to what you have to share. This will not be like traditional teaching as we know it but more to do with sharing your inner knowledge with people who are ready to learn more about themselves and the world around them. 2021 is a healing year …. And you will be called upon to play your part in that healing. It will take many forms and is an awesome opportunity for you to step into your power and show others that they can do the same. You may find yourself on the beach in the summer months, surrounded by people who simply cannot get enough of what you have to teach and share. And as the year progresses you feel at peace within yourself – like a feeling of having come home. That’s because you have. You have come home to yourself. 

LIBRA (Sep 24 – Oct 23) 

2021 is set to be a year of transition and change, Libra. Following on from the upheaval of the past twelve months we will move onto the next phase which will be about moving people forward to enlightenment. As a lover of balance, you will find yourself drawn to watch for unexpected things happening and to be a step ahead of others in helping them see things from different perspectives. As the year progresses through the new life of springtime and on into the warm months of summer, so you will develop your skills and clear your thoughts. You will be making sure that your focus only on the positive and that your intentions are pure. Thus, as the year progresses you will be able to share these skills with others enabling them to navigate obstacles in new and clever ways. As yet another year draws to a close you will be secure in your tribe and respected by all. 

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22) 

2021 challenges you to be more independent than ever before, Scorpio. This will involve having the courage to step into your invisible power and speak your truth. Up till now you have undervalued your innate powers and your ability to heal and to be a spiritual leader. You are reminded to be more disciplined about your spiritual practice as this is important to your progress and there will be an encounter with someone in the month of July where this will be brought home to you. So, be prepared. Come September you will be in a position to express your firm belief in equality and make sure that everyone feels needed and important. As the year draws to a close look for like – minded others and gather them to you. Together, you can fulfill your mission more effectively than if you work alone. Shine unconditional love and light and allow others to bask in the healing. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21) 

You are more powerful than you know, Sagittarius, and 2021 will present you with plenty of opportunities to grow into that power. Following on from the recent months of upheaval and uncertainty, this year is going to be a period of healing, personal growth and transformation. The way is forward and looking back will not be in any way helpful. Learn the lessons of the past and choose only the good energy to take forward. You will expand your horizons this year, with travel to somewhere exotic being a distinct possibility around August/September. You will also be called upon to tune in psychically to a relationship that is troubling you in some way and you must listen to your intuition as it will not let you down. As Christmas comes around again you will feel less than ever like engaging in the material aspects and you will choose to share your love in the spiritual ways which bring you inner peace.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20) 

As we move ever closer into the 5th dimension, Capricorn, so will your energy soften and you will feel safer to express the feelings held deeply in your heart. As the year embraces the new life of spring, so will you feel yourself and those around you daring to feel excited and joyful at the prospect of a world full of love ….  of more soul and less materialism. Caring, devotion and innocent fun will be where you feel that you have most to give and hence feel the greatest reward.  You are ruled by Saturn and as that great planet shifted at the last winter solstice, so too did the heavy energy shift from your energy sphere. At last, you can shake off the sense of responsibility which has always been a part of you and as the year comes to a close you can relax and enjoy a lighter and more carefree festive period. Enjoying yourself rather than feeling that you must take care of everyone else first!

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19) 

As an Aquarian, you have learned patience. You have had to. Those of you born under the sign of Aquarius hold, deep within themselves, a golden wisdom, a divine blueprint, that your soul contracted to share with humanity. But, until now, humanity has not been ready and so you have been patiently waiting. You are instinctively drawn to ley lines and even more so this year, as you are building new spiritual communication systems for the approaching 5th dimensional energy which the world is now entering. You have never felt that you truly fitted into this world – because you didn’t. But your time has now come and as you breathe deeper and deeper into your third eye you will connect with Archangel Raphael who will raise your healing abilities to a very high level and as the year draws to a close you will know that The Universe supports you and that your patience has paid off. 

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20) 

Your mission this year is the spreading of peace, Pisces. In the early part of the year, you will learn how to communicate this more effectively through your energy field. Plan some meditation for the spring months as this is when the world and nature is at its most fertile and your job is to plants seeds. Create the spaces in peoples lives and plants seeds in those spaces. The move on and allow the seeds to grow through the warmth of summer. Take deep breaths and centre year, yourself on the outbreath until you feel calm and centred. Surround yourself with flowers and sweet essences and allow your mind to open to the higher spiritual dimensions. This way you can support others through the changes to come throughout the year and help to birth the new era of love, peace and harmony. Thus, you will become a catalyst for the transformation that will be taking place throughout the year. 

As we wave goodbye to 2020 and to a year unlike any the world has ever known before, let us walk forward wiser and more patient, stronger and more able to stand in our power, Our Invisible Power.

Throughout 2020 I have addressed various aspects of this Power and, with hindsight, I can see that I was guided to do so in preparation for the year we are now in … moving onto a higher dimension. Leaving behind the emphasis on the material aspects of life and more fully embracing our spiritual energy. 

So, looking back to the past year …. what have you learned?   In a world turned upside down where so much of what we took for granted just fell apart ….  what is the most important thing that you learned?     I would not expect you to answer right away.  Rather a lot of processing will be needed to really press the right button but I suggest that it is worth the effort as this year of 2021 is going to be even more important in the history of nature and humankind. 

I firmly believe that we are witnessing a major transition.  I believe that we are transitioning from an era which laid importance and emphasis on the material aspects of our existence.  Material acquisition was everything.   And I believe that we are all, in fact, spiritual beings having a material experience and so balance is key. 

To achieve that balance, we need to identify just how we grew throughout 2020.  Because growth is what it is all about no matter how it presents.   With so much uncertainty and so much shifting sand beneath our feet, we all had to dig deep and find ways to make sense of a world which was making absolutely no sense at all.  And, albeit in different ways, this will continue throughout 2021.  It is up to us as spiritual beings to harness Our Invisible Power and to create the world that we want to live in. And that starts within your own heart.

So, ask yourself why?    Why has this happened and what is the lesson? I think the global lesson starts within each one of us.  We are all pinpoints of light on the one body of consciousness.  Each of us unique and the whole body so much greater than the sum of the parts.  When we each establish our own personal WHY then that body of consciousness can and will rise to overcome the dark forces and in so doing bring balance back into play. 

To establish your WHY just ask yourself … What Hurts You? What hurts you about the last year, for the world and for yourself?   Play about with all the answers that come to you until you can pinpoint the one that fits most snugly into your heart where it can be acknowledged and healed. If everyone was to do this exercise then what a truly wonderful world it would be. 

So, now that you have identified what hurts you, can you give yourself permission to bring a purpose to that hurt – to bring a purpose to the pain. Given that we approach life by either moving towards pleasure or away from pain, having a purpose to the pain would move you towards pleasure.  Without a purpose you are like a ship cast adrift without a route.  You will spend your time avoiding rough seas and rocks with no destination to head for. With a route the rocks and the rough seas will still be there but your purpose will enable you to navigate around them with minimal trouble.  Give a man a purpose and he will endure any how!

This year is offering you the biggest opportunity to really make your life matter. As you step into Your Invisible Power and shine Your Light you will draw to you people who are needing guidance, healing and purpose.  You can be that person who is connecting from a higher spiritual level and can help others step by step to inch their way forward and step into their own Invisible Power.  This is not something you have to schedule or make extra time for, it is a way of being that slips seamlessly into your everyday interactions.  You lead by example. You make a commitment to keep yourself in balance Physically, Intellectually (mentally), Emotionally and Spiritually (your Soul) and by so doing you clear your energy field of any negativity and so attract into it the people who are yearning for healing. 

As we recover from the upheaval and grow through this period of transition we must be mindful that happiness and good fortune are our birthright.   And there is enough to go round.  The more we share then the more our good fortune multiplies and the more everyone benefits.  There is no such thing as ‘not enough’.  There is more than enough.  By sharing the qualities of peace, harmony, co-operation, joy, love and higher understanding we reach people on all levels and they sense this.  Give thanks for all that you have received already and so be prepared for all the wonders ahead.  

Believe in love. Believe in angels. Believe in a higher power and above all believe in yourself.  You were created by the Divine Source and cared for by Mother Earth. You are a rare being, one of a kind, you can never be replaced, you are an Angel. Bless you.

Have a wonderful 2021.

Kate Mchardy MA(Hons) PGCE MSPH Spiritual coach, teacher and healer.katemch@gmail.com / Tel: +44 7712889534. Facebook: The University of Light Group / Readings at The University of Light (@tarotangelspiritreadings).  

Alcohol is linked with more than 60 health conditions, including liver disease, high blood pressure, depression, seven types of cancer; it is also the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability.

Current medical recommendations are to drink no more than 14 units per week, spread over three or more days, and with at least two days off. However, many people do not follow the guidance and a lot more alcohol is consumed.

Dry January is an annual movement run by the charity Alcohol Change UK through which millions of people give up alcohol for the month of January. The idea for the campaign was born in 2012 when several people working for the charity began to think about their drinking habits and the benefits of having a break from drinking, especially after Christmas.

The first Dry January started in 2013 with 4,000 people. A debate about the usefulness of giving up alcohol for a month ensued and alcohol behaviour-change expert Dr Richard de Visser from the University of Sussex volunteered to survey those taking part in Dry January to study the effects. 

Six months after the campaign finished, seven out of ten people were found to have continued to drink less riskily than before. 

Over the next few years, more and more people took up ‘Dry January’ and in 2019 the new app Try Dry was launched. 

Thinking about your drinking?

Many people feel like they are drinking a bit too much, or too often, or could just do with some time off. A month off alcohol is the perfect way to reset your relationship with alcohol. Research shows that it only takes three weeks to break a habit, so this could be your route to happier, healthier drinking long-term.

Reasons to try dry

A month alcohol-free has a lot of benefits: research published in the British Medical Journal in 2018 found that a month off alcohol lowers blood pressure, reduces diabetes risk, lowers cholesterol, helps with weight loss and reduces levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood. 

Being alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we do not need alcohol to have fun, to relax, to socialise. You can take a month off alcohol anytime and there is support available, but why not join a global community to make a change this January?

• Download the free Try Dry app to track your units, calories and money saved, whilst gaining some added motivation every day.
• Check out the Dry January blog for lots of tips and tricks for a dry month.

Dry January can change lives! Get online to find all the information, hint’s n’ tips and get the app.

https://tinyurl.com/DryJanuary21

A holder in Gibraltar

A recent rediscovery has been made of the grave belonging to Thomas Henry Kavanagh VC. who is buried in North Front Cemetery. The story surfaced when David Eveson, our chairman, found the headstone during a visit there after being handed the information by an ex Royal Engineer George Coleing..

He found the grave in a state of disrepair and thought something should be done to put it in order. This of course led to the question of what he was doing in Gibraltar. Inevitably the first place to ask was our font of all knowledge, Lorna Swift of the Garrison Library who in true form gave us a file which had been prepared in 1987 and held in the Library.

The following account is a compilation of that information and some obtained from the internet.

Kavanagh, was of course, Irish, born in Mullinger, County Westmeath on the 15th of July 1821. Following the completion of his education in his home country, he joined the Indian Civil Service around 1849 where he joined Sir Henry Lawrence, the Chief Commissioner of Oudh in the Punjab and became a member of its Commission. He married Agnes Courtney in Cownpore where she stayed while he and Sir Lawrence went to Lucknow. Later she decided to follow her husband. In June 1857 in the Indian Mutiny reached the town and the Residency in that city was besieged. The family was trapped with four of their children. The youngest, Cecil died and his mother was injured by a shell. 

Sir Lawrence with 1500 troops, half of them loyal Bengal Sepoys, fortified the area and stockpiled food and supplies. The first attack on the residence came on July the 4th 1857. Sir Lawrence was killed soon after and his place taken by Colonel John Inglis of the 32nd (Cornwall) Regiment of Foot.   

On the 20th of September, a relief column of two thousand troops under General Outram and Havelock was sent but soon they were outnumbered, surrounded they entrenched themselves near the Residence. Having brought no food, they were dependant on they residency, who themselves were short.

By November the situation had become extremely critical and could only hold out if resupplied from Cownpore. They were down to a few days’ supplies and getting desperate when Sir Colin Campbell, set out with troops to fight his way to the Residency. At this point Kavanagh volunteered to disguise himself as an Indian and find a way though the mutineers in order to guide these troops to the Residency. With great bravery and without the knowledge of his wife, accompanied by a Brahmin servant, on the 9th of November they managed to get through the road blocks and entered the British lines. The success of his arrival was semaphored from the Alambagh, in the suburbs of Lucknow at which time his wife was told of his exploits.

 He was able to lead the troops back to the residency by the 16th. The troops were able to control the situation long enough for the British to withdraw and on the 18th. (or 22nd ) of November the British flag was taken down and the town given over to the mutineers.

The town was recaptured by Campbell in March with the aid of Ghurkas supplied by the king of Nepal. 

In 1858 the British East India Company was dissolved and the British Government took over the reigns of Government.   

On the 6th of July 1859, Kavanagh was awarded the Victoria Cross. This award was instituted by Queen Victoria in June 1857. Kavanagh is one of only five civilians ever to  be awarded this prestigious medal. He later became a Deputy District Commissioner. He returned to England but at the end of October 1882, sailed on board the SS Khedive for Bombay. The ship arrived in Gibraltar on the 3rd of November but Kavanagh was taken seriously ill and was put ashore and taken to the Station Hospital where he was put in the hands of the Surgeon General Smith, CB at the request of the Governor.

His illness took a turn for the worse and died on November 13th. A service was held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at 3.30pm the same day, conducted by the Archdeacon Govett. His body was then carried to his final resting place accompanied by 200 military personnel from the 1st Battalion Loyal Lancashire North Regiment and members of all the other services including Major General C Adams CB. Six Majors from each of the RA, RE and Infantry Regiments formed the pall bearers.  Lady Napier of Magdala and Kavanagh’s daughter, Mrs Maynard and the Governor attended the Burial.

In the records of the King’s Chapel, James Kavanagh is recorded as Commissioner of Oudh, but with the rank of Major. There is no record of his ever been in the military but this was probably an honourable rank. His grandson, Major A B M Kavanagh, served in Gibraltar in the 1st Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment between 1953 and 1955.     

It is understood that the war Graves Commission provided a new headstone in the 1980’s but since then the site has again deteriorated. The Gibraltar Heritage Trust is now looking to repair the grave again.  A local expert in headstone restoration has been engaged to repair the damage which has been kindly sponsored by Isola Brothers. 

Article supplied by History Society Gibraltar / This story was first written for the Gibraltar Chronicle in 2010

Email: historysocietygibraltar@hotmail.com

Dead City Radio on their own words

It’s time to get your record players and your turntables up to scratch again (pardon the pun). The vinyl record album is back and local Rock band ‘Dead City Radio’ are the first band here to release an album in this format instead of the usual CD or digital downloads.

It’s a brave new world and as there haven’t been any local releases by anyone in this fateful year DCR, with support from the Gibraltar Cultural Services have took the initiative to release a vinyl record album in time for Christmas 2020. 

Vinyl is the traditional way of capturing studio performances on record and the vinyl sound, although for the purists it is considered the Holy Grail, has not got the ultra clean sound attributes of digital formats, however the gramophone ‘needle in the groove’ sound has more warmth and vintage charm than the ‘hear a pin drop’ clarity of digital recordings. Hence the comeback of the vinyl format and the growing trend in record sales as opposed to CDs.

‘Dead City Radio’ have been around for a few years now and their ‘take no prisoners’ approach to Rock music has seen them featured in various GMFs where they have carved for themselves a niche group of fans who seem to go for their ‘Led Zeppelin’ type of vocals for which front man James Culatto is locally revered. They are more than that. They put in a lot rehearsal time to forge their original material into concert shape songs and have probably spent even more time recording their musical progress with former ‘Taxi’ guitarist Danni Fa who is responsible for having engineered the sound of this album. 

Rock music is difficult to capture on recordings as high level signals compete with each other for space in the final mix and there is always a danger that taming down the sound of a lively band can totally ruin their projection on the record. This album cheekily titled ‘Album of the year’ by ‘Dead City Radio’ features 8 tracks, among them two new songs and a reworking of an older song, does not suffer from weak sound. It is a challenge on the aural senses and homespun Rock which is not for the squeamish. Original classics which the band are well known for like ‘Valkyrie’ ‘Goddess’ and ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ are reassuringly there. New songs are ‘Fire’- (track1) and ‘Up in Lights’ (track 3) are an indicator against which to compare their old material with the new. In ideal circumstances we would get to see them perform this at a record launch gig but alas this is not possible for now. However take it from me this is a worthy album to add to your Rock collection.

The band is made up of James Culatto – vocals, Robin Batchelor- guitar, Daniel Ghio – bass and Michael Gomez – Drums. Nicholas Anson is credited with drums on the two new songs (tracks 1 and 3) and Richard Camilleri on bass on the reworked ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ (track 8). The album has been produced and mixed by Danni Fa and the cover artwork is by Kane Matto. The album retails at £20 because production costs are higher for vinyl but it’s a fair price to pay to bring back gramophone music into your collection.  You can still get yours now and support local culture.

I recently asked the band to describe their music and the direction that they are taking and bassist Daniel Ghio was the first to reply.“Hard Rock! Our influences range primarily from all sides of the Rock spectrum and I think it shines through on our songs. Our direction has always been to compose, gig, record and enjoy ourselves as much as we can. Looking back on 2020 it has been a challenge for everyone and especially people in the arts. No gigs, no plays, no shows etc… It’s frustrating because the live aspect of what we do is very important to us. We love playing live, playing our own song… for us, it’s a means to de-stress. During the lockdown, many musicians pulled together and started doing loads of live shows and pre-recorded shows for social media with James Culatto covering quite a few songs during the lockdown and beyond with several other musicians.”

The drummer’s seat remains empty-yet to be filled in 2021, have you got any candidates in mind yet?

“We’re currently started working with a new drummer so things are in motion and we’ll hopefully be ready with some new material” was the reply from Daniel, whom I then engaged on how did they come up with the idea of releasing a vinyl record? Front man James Culatto took up the story…

“We had toyed with the idea a couple of years ago and once we’d secured the funding and had the music ready it was a case of shopping online for the right people to work with. That didn’t take long and it was certainly worth it, however nothing’s set in stone for the future, this time we were able to secure the funding by applying for a cultural grant to assist with the costs and we’re thankful that we were able to ‘tick off’ a goal from our list, but it’s a shame that we haven’t been able to officially launch our album with a party and a performance… but who knows …maybe in 2021.” 

How bands work to come up with original songs varies from band to band and I wanted to know how DCR forge their inspirations into songs…

“Usually collectively at rehearsals” said Daniel, “We start jamming or if one of us comes in with a riff or progression we work on it together. I’m pretty sure James’ iPhone is filled with hundreds of ideas that we record as we go along. Some make it into songs others get abandoned and then resurrected along the line. James is quite good at having vocal melodies or even lyrics ready on the spot which he then works on at home.”

My parting question was whether they were already making plans for next year and what goals might they have set for themselves…Daniel replies:

“I guess we all just want to start playing gigs again. I think it’s safe to say most artists miss that the most. We have a good amount of original material now and we’re already working on new ideas but we can create and create however nothing matches the rush of performing live in front of people. Hopefully, once things ease up, we can start looking at booking gigs at home and in Spain… but for now, we’ll continue to work behind closed doors in our band room”… 

One of the first bands that you might wish to check out this year as soon as live music in venues is allowed again because they have a commanding presence and a strong musical statement to make as well.

The everyday challenges of all loving couples can vary from financial, Psychological to emotional.

However, when a partner is profoundly injured or seriously ill during their relationship, the impact can be immeasurable.

Jacqueline Ross, 33, from Motherwell, Scotland and Martin Tavendale, 31,

have been in a relationship for two years. Private Tavendale was an RLC, 400 troop in Catterick originally from Wishaw.

“The accident happened on 1st December 2018,” Martin explains. “I was based in Catterick and had just been promoted from Private to Lance Corporal. I was getting ready to finish for Christmas leave. I was out celebrating and then 10 days later I woke up in hospital.

“I had tried to make my own way back to camp and had fallen asleep at the side of the road. At four o’clock in the morning, a lorry ran over me, crushing my pelvis and rupturing my internal organs.

“A friend heard the noise and ran over and started first aid, stemming the bleeding. His actions are a significant part of why I am still here today.” 

Jacqueline, who lives in Motherwell, was unaware what happened until hours later.

“I was on the train going into the Christmas market in Edinburgh,. Martin’s sister phoned me and she told me that Martin had had an accident. No one knew what had happened to him or if he was okay. I got the next train home and my dad drove me to the hospital, five hours from where we were. I contacted everyone I knew in his troop but no one had any information. I didn’t know if he would be alive when I got there.

We were told to prepare for the worst, that he may not make it through the night. I was just speechless. When I first went in and saw all the tubes, it was very overwhelming. I don’t think you can put into words what it feels like. To see somebody in that position. It’s true what they say, you don’t expect it to happen to you or anybody you know.”

Martin was saved by the staff at James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough, and went through hours of gruelling surgeries, was in and out of a coma and spent weeks in intensive care. 

“I didn’t really know what was going on,” Martin says, “I thought I’d crashed my car or something. I never actually found out the full story until the police came in one day with my sister.”

After multiple surgeries, two comas, and time in intensive care, Martin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, a burst artery, damage to his internal organs and damage to his leg. The couple have both had to come to terms with, knowing he might never walk again, and Jacqueline suffers from anxiety triggered by the accident.

Martin and Jacqueline had been together for just a year when the accident happened. He proposed while he was in hospital.

“I was waking from my second coma, I was tired, sore, and Jacqueline was still sat in the chair next to the bed. I was just thinking when this is over, I want to spend the rest of my life with her, so I asked her if she’d marry me. She thought I was out of it, off my face on medication, and she said ‘ah yes, you’ll forget about that in ten minutes’, but I really meant it.

“We hadn’t been together that long, and if it was too much for her I could completely appreciate that. Its life changing and it’s not initially what she signed up for – but she stayed.

For Jacqueline, the accident has taken a toll on her own mental health too.

“Seeing somebody nearly die twice, shocks you.” Jacqueline says. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. Being called to say goodbye because the doctors didn’t think he was going to make it.

“I sat by his side every day for five weeks, but to me he’s still Martin. I don’t see him any differently, so I didn’t plan on going anywhere.

“I still struggle to sleep, and I think that is due to moving from hotel to hotel for six months, in different rooms, even at Christmas, while he was in hospital. 

Jacqueline and Martin are determined to be together as much as possible, so every month she travels from Scotland to Staffordshire. She stays at Norton House, an accommodation facility run by SSAFA, two miles from where Martin is being rehabilitated.

“I think this place is phenomenal” Jacq says, “It’s nice to be around people that are experiencing similar situations to you. People back home don’t fully understand and sympathise with what we’re going through, especially our guardian angel Michelle who manages the house.  I spend most of my time with her. 

‘When I started coming here, I always used to just go to my room, and I would sit there, but now I talk, cry, hug, drink tea. It all matters.  It’s a home from home that has helped me cope with the trauma. It’s a sanctuary.”

For Martin, Norton House has been an essential part of his recovery, as his friends and family stay when they visit him, as well as Jacqueline.

Martin is in a manual wheelchair and can move about more freely and is even taking on a push up challenge to raise money for SSAFA.

“Time is the biggest healer and it gets easier; I’ve just got to find new passions and keep pushing on. You only get one shot being here and I’m lucky I still am here. I still have bad nights where I’m in agony but slowly things are improving.”

“I want to give a little something back and say thank you to SSAFA for helping Martin’s family a lot through this” Jacq explains

If you would like to help support others like Jacqueline and Martin please donate here: ssafa.org.uk/donate

How to make those new year resolutions stick

As the clock struck 12:01 am on New Year’s Day, were you one of the many people who resolved to make changes to their life?

It’s always a good idea to start the New Year on the right foot and no doubt many of us will have made New Year resolutions, but although we are still only in January, how many of us have managed to keep to those resolutions? Did you toss your resolutions away with the Christmas tree, or are you one of those people who think that New Year resolutions are made to be broken?

Regardless that our plans for New Year 2021 may well be different to previous years, and that instead of seeing the New Year in with family and friends at a party it may be more like sitting on the sofa watching a feel-good film, we can still make resolutions – albeit different ones – focusing more on health than wealth. 

January is probably the worst time to make resolutions after the stress of the holiday season, when bills are piling up from the excess of spending on presents and food, and the pounds are still piling on after too much Christmas fare. Life is exhausting enough without trying to stick to those rash resolutions you made – right?

Maybe you vowed to lose weight or to quit smoking. Maybe you promised to cut down on your alcohol consumption. These are just some of the most common resolutions that we make, the others being: to exercise more, get organised, learn a new skill or hobby, live life to the fullest, save money and spend less, spend more time with family and friends, or to travel and read more.

Quitter’s day

Did you know that there is actually an annual Quitter’s Day? The third Sunday in January is the day that you are most likely to quit New Year’s resolutions and in 2021 this falls on the 17th. Research has found that over 5.5 million Brits abandoned their 2020 New Year’s Resolutions by the end of Quitter’s Day, despite their best intentions. 

How can we salvage those resolutions and make them work in the long-term? Think of them as short-term goals to help you to grow day by day. You’d be badly mistaken to think you can achieve great things in just one month of the year, regardless of your resolve to learn another language or to lose 2 stone in weight! 

Make those resolutions as realistic as possible and set yourself challenges that you feel confident you will be able to meet. Take diets for instance. If you’ve put on a lot of weight over the past five years, you’re not going to be able to lose it in five weeks. What you need is to make sensible, behavioural changes to your diet.

How to get those resolutions back on track

Understanding where you failed to keep to your resolutions is the first step to getting back on track. What were the stumbling blocks that you failed to account for when you made them? Maybe you underestimated your work schedule or those family commitments that you knew you had to keep to but which would sabotage your plans. Above all, don’t beat yourself up if you eat one more mince pie. Life’s too short. 

Set yourself up for success

Strange to say it but we shouldn’t make resolutions on New Year’s Eve. They should be planned well before 31st December for the biggest chance of success. 

Make a list of the pros and cons of keeping to your resolutions and refer to it when you need motivation, or buy a new daily planner and fill it in to help you stay on track. Choose specific resolutions that are achievable and that you can realistically turn into a habit without turning your life upside down

Reboot yourself in 2021

Don’t you just hate those articles that tell you how to transform your life? Well, here are some suggestions that aren’t resolutions but instead are long-term life changing ideas:

Take risks: Open yourself up to change and embrace it rather than running away. Say ‘YES’ to something that you may have previously said ‘NO’ to!

Live in the moment: Stop worrying and try not to live in the past. Practice mindfulness and concentrate on the present. Engage in active listening and use all your senses when talking with someone instead of tuning out and thinking about other things. 

Stay in touch with family and friends: Pick up the phone or send an email. Make the first move in a relationship that has foundered. 

Take time out for yourself: Banish that guilt and just relax. Go for long walks, indulge yourself with a good book, get those watercolours out and paint a landscape or unwind in a hot bath. Don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself because in the long run it will benefit your mood and your relationships. 

Share your talents and skills with others: Maybe you are artistic or creative, or maybe you are adept at fixing technology. Have you noticed how good it feels when you share your passion or a skill that you perform well? Not only do you feel good, but those on the receiving end will really appreciate you. 

Stand up for yourself – whether that is at work or at home: Communicate clearly and let people know what you’re willing to tolerate and not tolerate. Being assertive doesn’t mean that you ignore other people’s feelings, but it does mean that you are not spending your life doing what other people want. 

Laugh more: A good dose of hearty laughing relieves stress and anxiety and stimulates endorphins. Sharing a laugh with others is a great way to connect and bond. 

Be persistent

Can we really create the person we want to be by repetitive actions and thoughts? It will definitely take willpower, but how long does it take to form a habit? Have you heard of the 21/90 rule? Some experts say it takes 21 days to build or break a habit and 90 days to make it a lifestyle. It won’t happen overnight, so be patient!

Start small, build on that resolution daily and then keep going. Make microscopic goals that you’re almost guaranteed to hit. Very few people have achieved great things through luck. Most resolutions fail because they’re just too broad a goal. If you do lapse, don’t let it become an excuse to give up on your goal. Forgive yourself and start again. 

Change just one of your habits that creates the most difference to your life. Write it down on paper, along with your motivations, obstacles, and your strategies for overcoming them. Log your progress. Commit fully in a public way and report your progress to someone else each day.  Look for support when you falter. If you fail, figure out what went wrong, plan for it, and try again.

Take responsibility and take charge of your future. Don’t blame everyone and everything around you and always bear in mind what the Greek philosopher Aristotle said:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”

This is how we can save them

There’s a magical moment of transition when a penguin crosses from land to water. Earth-bound they are slow and cumbersome; as soon as they enter the ocean they become sleek and agile, diving with torpedo precision to forage for life-sustaining fish. That is, assuming there are fish to be had.

Last week I drove out to Stony Point near Hermanus in the Western Cape, to assist SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) with a release of rehabilitated African penguins. As I opened one box and watched its eager occupant waddle toward the water, fat and glossy with good health, I was struck by the difference between him and some of the resident birds. 

I heard the despair in SANCCOB marine scientist Lauren Waller’s voice as she pointed out birds that likely wouldn’t make it through the next few days. I’ve visited penguin colonies all over the southern hemisphere, but until now, I’ve never seen a starving penguin. It was eerily reminiscent of the malnourished polar bears I’ve seen in the north.

Competing for food

Many of these wild penguins were moulting – something penguins do every year. The birds stay ashore for up to 21 days to shed and regrow their protective feathers. Because they can’t swim during their moult, they need to eat plenty before they come ashore to make it through their fast. These birds should have been at their fattest, but a good number of them were seriously emaciated, their breastbones pointing through their feathers when they fanned their wings.

The resources in our oceans are not endless, and they are no longer abundant, thanks to the combined threats of global warming, pollution and industrial overfishing. Standing on that rocky shoreline it became clear to me how acutely the African penguin is feeling these changes. 

Some of these birds may have swum hundreds of kilometres to find food. Marine researchers from BirdLife South Africa recently discovered pre moulting penguins from Dassen Island turning up in De Hoop nature reserve some 350 kilometres away. Swimming such a long distance around Cape Point is not the best strategy when you’re trying to put on weight, but these birds have no choice.

Functionally extinct

The science is clear: the African penguin is likely to be functionally extinct on the west coast in less than 15 years, unless we take immediate action.

Functionally extinct means that a population has declined to the point where it is no longer viable, and can no longer produce a new generation.

When surveys began in the early 1900s there were 3 million African penguins. Since then we have lost 95% of the population, and their numbers continue to drop.  In 2000, there were an estimated 53,000. Today, there are just 17,700 breeding pairs.

They are now more vulnerable than the white rhino, the polar bear or the giant panda.

Oil on water

If the situation wasn’t dire enough on the west coast, a new threat has emerged on the east coast, with offshore fuel ship-to-ship bunkering in Algoa Bay, close to the largest remaining African penguin colony at St Croix Island. The inherently risky operation of transferring fuel from one vessel to another at sea has already resulted in two oil spills. 

Action plan

We are now at the point where every bird counts. Conservation agencies are doing everything they can to protect this iconic species.  Three crucial actions from our government could make all the difference to the African penguin’s survival:

1) Creating a No-Take Fishing Zone of at least a 20-kilometre radius around penguin colonies and their foraging grounds, so that the penguins are not competing with fishing companies. 

2) Shifting offshore bunkering away from penguin colonies. Why take the risk? Why allow ships to transfer oil from one vessel to another in such close proximity to South Africa’s biggest African penguin colony in Algoa Bay?

3) As long as ships carry oil, there are likely to be oil spills. This is especially the case off South Africa’s coast, which is a major sea route and has some of the roughest seas in the world. Therefore we must ensure that all vessels transiting around South Africa are required by law to have a wildlife response plan to mitigate the impact of oil on marine wildlife in the event of a spill. 

Sea Blind

It’s a little known fact that South Africa is actually more sea than land. Our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) stretches 200 nautical miles from our shores. That gives us 1.5 million km2 of ocean, compared to 1,2 million km2 of land – and yet we fail to recognise or properly protect our ocean resources. It is as if we are sea blind.

Our coast is a prime tourist destination. Visitors come from all over the world to see our magnificent beaches, whales, penguins and sharks, providing a crucial boost to our economy. Yet South Africa has designated less than 15% of its coastline as a protected area – less than half the international recommendation. And less than 1% is classified as “fully protected”. 

Repeating history 

Hermanus in springtime is idyllic. With the fynbos in bloom, the flowers seem to flow down the slopes of the Hottentots Holland range to meet the sea. It’s easy to see why tourists love to come here, particularly during the whale watching season, when the Southern Rights come in close to shore with their calves to breach and tail lob. But we should not forget that this was once the site of an ecocide, when humpback whales and Southern Rights were hunted to the brink of extinction.  

We pulled back just in time; whaling was banned and whale numbers are recovering. Now the local economy relies almost entirely on its natural wildlife. And yet we seem intent on repeating our folly.

We may not be actively hunting the penguin, but by failing to put protective measures in place, we are sealing their fate through inaction.

Fighting chance

Hopelessness and despondency are one of the greatest threats to our wildlife – another reason why we simply cannot afford to lose the African penguin. 

This year has been dominated by COVID-19 and the economic crisis. But we must not let this distract us from protecting the environment on which we all depend. 

Sadly we will not be able to save every bird. But we can still give this beloved South African species a fighting chance. Each Government can take action, no matter how small. The ripple effect for marine life is immeasurable. Gibraltar is lucky given its size and how nimble its authorities can be. Please help encourage and enable all localities around the world to do their bit … before it’s too late. Protecting natural habitats, like that of the humble African penguin, is in everyone’s interests.

Don’t leave it too late.

Lewis Pugh is an endurance swimmer, a maritime lawyer, friend of Gibraltar and UN Patron of the Oceans.