HERITAGE NEWS 009

First issued: 18th September 2013

We hope you’ve had a good summer. Here at the Trust it’s been a while since our last e-update to you, but we can assure you that the work has continued as busy as ever despite the summer months. We hope to make these a frequent feature of your inbox once again and the forthcoming months certainly promise to be jam-packed!

Southport Wall

Works to restore this section of wall at Southport Gates have now been completed with the Minister for Heritage officially ‘unveiling’ it on the 6^th September. The works have seen a systematic repair of the wall by conservation specialists under the management of the Gibraltar Museum and in consultation with Technical Services. The finished product shows just how spectacular our city walls can be when cleared of all creeping/ destructive vegetation. The RML has also had a new coat of paint and had the Royal Army Ordnance Corps coat of arms painted in the correct regimental colours. The next phase of the project includes the lighting of the wall at night time and the installation of interpretation panels.

The adjacent project to restore the St Jago’s Arch is also well advanced. This old church doorway (which is actually in situ) has suffered badly from weathering and traffic pollution and had also been the subject of an earlier restoration (possibly circa 1970’s) which was only serving to aggravate the problem. We’ll bring you more information on this when the project is completed.

Heritage Awards

Do you know of a person, organization, building, group, project, that deserves a Heritage Award? The nomination period for this year’s round of Heritage Awards is now open. More information about the awards can be found on our website www.gibraltarheritagetrust.org.gi The closing date for nominations is the 31^st September 2013.

Gibraltar Archives

The recent news that the Government Archivist has become the new CEO for the Gibraltar Football Association has left a gap in this essential research and archival service. The Trust is voicing its concerns to the Government who assure us that plans are in motion to keep the service running with suitably qualified professionals. Although the Heritage Sector has lost a professional archivist, our loss is the GFA’s gain. We wish all the very best to Dennis Beiso in his new position.

MOD Integrated Rural Management Plan

The Conservation Group of the MOD estate management plan has met 3 times in the last 7 months and progress is being made to catalogue and consolidate lists and responsibilities for all heritage assets within the MOD estate. The Conservation Group is made up of representatives from the Heritage Trust, the GONHS, the Gibraltar Museum, the Dept of the Environment, Town Planning and various departments within the MOD. We will keep you updated of progress as it is made.

Integrated Traffic Survey

The Trust is participating as a stakeholder consultee in the Government’s integrated traffic plan. Of concern to the Trust are large infrastructure projects which might affect monuments such as our City Walls. The consultation is at an early stage. We are also advocating the use of the city walls as official cycling/walking routes. Such a policy will see the investment in conservation of these monuments whilst at the same time giving them a use of benefit to the whole community. A reduction in traffic in Gibraltar is something that will not only benefit our environment and health but also our monuments. We will be attending follow up workshops and keep you updated of developments.

Treasurer Retiring

Mr Roy Harding, our long standing Hon. Treasurer is stepping down from his post after 10 years of balancing the Trust’s accounts and a further 10 before that as a Trust member. His invaluable contribution was officially acknowledged last year when he was the recipient of a Heritage Award for his contribution to the Trust. Roy will remain a member and will continue to come into the office on an ad-hoc basis but for social reasons and not work. Our thanks to you once again Roy.

The Trust’s new Hon. Treasurer is Adrian Stevenson of the AMS Group who is already familiarising himself with the role.

Clean Up the World

The Trust will once again be supporting the Clean Up the World Campaign on Saturday 21^st September. If you are willing to help out and join us on a site for a few hours, please contact us with your name and contact number and we will make sure we let you know where and when to meet on the day. Please note there is a Trust visit to Harding’s Battery in the morning so you may wish to join in after that.

Upcoming events

The programme of events for the September 2013 to March 2014 period is now out and has been posted to all out members. If you have not received your copy contact us at the office and we will send a duplicate out to you.