Our Roman Experience in Chester

Gibraltar Rotarian Gordon Vickers is the owner of the Mill Hotel and Spa, a famous venue situated in Chester. Mr Vickers kindly donated the star prize which was raffled at a sell-out Charity Concert in aid of local charities hosted at St Michaels Cave by the Rotary Club of Gibraltar last year.

The prize consisted of a full board three-night stay for two persons over the Valentine's weekend. Also included were flights courtesy of Monarch Airlines and airport transfers by private car to the Mill Hotel in Chester. The package incorporated £100 worth of beauty treatments at the Spa, a historical walking tour of Chester with a Roman soldier in attendance and to end it all a Valentine's three-course dinner at the 55 Club in Gibraltar on our return.

My wife and I were the fortunate winners of this prize and on Friday11th February we boarded the midday Monarch flight at Gibraltar Airport headed for Manchester. After enjoying the flight we were collected at the Airport by Hotel Official Dave in his private car and driven to the Hotel, a 40 minutes drive away on the motorway.

On arrival at the Hotel we were shown to our balcony room where a bottle of champagne on ice and a bouquet of red roses were waiting for us. The standard of the room was excellent and included a Jacuzzi bath, flat screen TV and nice décor and furnishings. After sipping some of the champagne in the balcony overlooking the canal and in the hotel's own broad-beam luxury restaurant cruiser we headed for the Spa. There we enjoyed a fish pedicure followed by a full body Swedish massage, again the friendly staff and full range of treatments and facilities were second to none.

The dining experience started off with a three course dinner dance, where we were entertained by a lovely female singer during our meal, followed by a Valentine's dinner cruise on the Saturday evening .This is definitely a highly-recommended one of a kind experience, finished off by a Roman high tea cruise on Sunday afternoon and a Roman feast on Sunday evening. I must say that the quality of the food and presentation were really first class.

The Mill Hotel and Spa package with its superb facilities makes it a premier short break destination where you can also enjoy Chester’s rich history and great shopping experience. All in all top class facilities with great food matched with personal friendly service that couldn't be beaten.

We had a really memorable time!

Jinson Lima

Rotary hosts Afghanistan heroes

The Rotary Club of Gibraltar was honoured last Tuesday with a visit from three soldiers seriously injured in Afghanistan. The soldiers, Ben Parkinson, Andy Allen and Jake Barnett were introduced by Rotarian and Royal British Legion Chairman, Mr Momy Levy to a loud round of applause. Also present was well known local personality and British legion member Mr Pepe Fabre. Rotarian President,

Mr Julian Risso thanked and praised the soldiers for all their efforts. When it was announced that Jake Barnett had just turned 20 years old the previous day all Rotarians present sang Happy Birthday.

 

Mr George Williams, his wife Joanne and Mr Gordon Vickers, invited the three soldiers, their families and Mr Pepe Fabre to dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant and to lunch on Saturday at 14 on the Quay.

Rotary Xmas Auction 2010

Rotary Concert for Charity

The Rotary Club of Gibraltar recently held a Christmas Charity Concert in St Michael's Cave. The evening was well attended with over three hundred members of the public supporting the event. The programme started with the National Anthem played by the full Band of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and conducted by the band master, Justin Gooch.



The Royal Gibraltar Regiment Band directed by Justin Gooch



This was followed by a selection of music from the band accompanied by the magical vocal skills and sounds of the National Choir directed by Lili Olivero. A beautiful rendition of Hallelujah was sung by soloist Jamie Barry and Manuel Bonavia delighted everyone with his excellent guitar medley. The first half of the programme ended with the spectacular and eerie performance of the 'skeleton' dance, a display rarely seen outside military circles executed by the corps of Drums of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

National Choir directed by Lili Olivero

Jamie Barrie & Manuel Bonavia



Corp of Drums



The prize draw was held at the beginning of the second half of the programme. The lucky winner received an all-inclusive Romantic Valentine's Weekend for two at the Mill Hotel & Spa in the Roman city of Chester, UK with return flight tickets from Gibraltar to Manchester kindly donated by Monarch Airlines ending in a romantic special Valentine's dinner at the 55 Private Members Club in Main Street, Gibraltar. The prize and bouquet of flowers was jointly presented by the owner of the Mill Hotel (and long-standing Rotarian) Mr Gordon Vickers together with Miss Gibraltar, Larissa Dalli who was escorted on to the stage by Rotary President, Mr Julian Risso.



Julian Risso, Henry Sacramento, Larissa Dalli, Gordon Vickers & winner



The second half of the programme continued with young soloist Kate McCullough delighting everyone with her song 'Time to Say Goodbye' followed by soloist Phillip Borge's performance of 'Remember when it Rained'. Gibraltar's own virtuoso pianist, Aaron Monteverde, once again amazed the audience with two accomplished pieces, the first from Spanish composer, Campuzano followed by Mr. Monteverde's own composition 'Libertad'.





Kate McCullough










Phillip Borge







Aaron Monteverde



Altogether the performers created a really memorable charity concert in a truly unique and majestic setting.

The entire evening was professionally compered by Mr Henry Sacramento.

Henry Sacramento



Present were His Excellency the Governor and Patron of the Gibraltar Rotary Club, Sir Adrian Johns, his wife Suzie, the Commander British Forces, Mr Tom Karsten and the Commanding Officer of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Lt. Col. Colin Risso MC were present

A huge thank you goes out to the public who attended, sponsors & the artists & everyone who helped to make this event an unparallelled success. The evening enabled the Rotary Club of Gibraltar to raise a substantial amount for worthy local charities such as Calpe House & the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Welfare Fund.

Rotary Charity Concert

The Rotary Club of Gibraltar will be holding a Christmas Charity Concert at St. Michaels Cave on the 10th December. The evening will be featuring local pianist, Aaron Monteverde, the Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the Gibraltar National Choir. The programme will be compered by Henry Sacramento.


There will be a souvenir programme available for £5.00 and a special souvenir prize draw will be held on the night. The fabulous prize is an all-inclusive Romantic Valentine's Weekend for two at the Mill Hotel & Spa in the Roman city of Chester, UK with return flight tickets from Gibraltar to Manchester kindly donated by Monarch Airlines.

All proceeds from the Charity evening will be in aid of the Gibraltar Regiment Welfare Fund and the Calpe House Fund. Those taking part are encouraged to buy extra Souvenir Programmes on the night for friends and family. The programme has useful telephone numbers and a 2011 Diary (and of course it would make a lovely Christmas Present if they win!).
 
Prize includes:

• Complimentary return flights from Gibraltar to Manchester donated by Monarch AirlinesTransfer fom Manchester airport to Chester (40 miles motorway journey)
• 3 nights accommodation in a balcony room on half board basis (dinner and breakfast)
• Bottle of champagne
• Full use of the Mill Health Club with Swimming Pool, Spa, Steam roon and technogym Gymnasium
• £100 voucher for Beauty Treatments in the Mill Beauty Spa
• Friday evening Cabaret Dinner Dance with choice of menu
• Saturday lunchtime a Roman Soldier Tour of the City centre
• Saturday evening Valentine's Love Boat on the Mill Hotel Restaurant Cruiser with choice of a four course menu
• A Valentine's present for the Lady
• Sunday afternoon Roman High Tea Cruise on the Mill Hotel Restaurant Cruiser with a Roman Soldier
• Sunday evening a Roman Feast in the Mill Canaletto Restaurant
• Monday evening a Special valentine's Dinner at the 55 Private Members Club in Main Street, GIBRALTAR

Rotary at the Convent

The Rotary Club of Gibraltar held a fundraising cream tea at the Governor's residence last Saturday. Rotary's Press Officer Lyana Armstrong-Emery described the event "A large number of people came throughout the afternoon to enjoy their cup of tea, cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream in the tranquil setting of the patio. We are very pleased with the attendance and the funds for Charity raised at the door and on the stalls. These included 'Childline', a secondhand book stall, cake stall with a competition to

guess the weight of one of the cakes and a stall of china tea pots. People also had the opportunity to challenge our very own young chess champion Stephen Whatley in a game of chess. We were delighted that the Governor and his wife were able to join us, albeit for a brief moment".

All monies raised are for Rotary Charities."

Hog Roast

The Rotary Club of Gibraltar recently held a first time ever 'Hog Roast' banquet to raise money for local Charities. The event was held in the spectacular setting of the Mount and was very well attended with over one hundred people present. All were entertained by a magician peforming his tricks at diners' tables, followed by a fantastic belly-dance group called Rock Fusion. Their dancing and movements to the sounds of arabic music, together with the vibrant red of their costumes delighted everyone. Throughout the night Peter Charles provided background music until after the meal when most people enjoyed dancing the remainder of the night away.

Rotary President, Mr Julian Risso opened the event with a few words of welcome, and later thanked everyone who helped, donated to and attended the evening. Miss Gibraltar looking lovely, handed the raffle/draw prizes (generously donated by many local businesses) out to the winners.

After this Mr Risso presented a bouquet of flowers to the Fund Raising Committee' s Chairperson, Mrs Jane Hart and thanked her and her team for arranging such a wonderful and successful night.

All funds raised at the event are for Rotary Charities which includes Calpe House, Royal Gibraltar Benevolent Fund and Shelterboxes. Rotary Club of Gibraltar would like to thank everyone for their contribution to the success of the evening.