HERITAGE NEWS 017

First issued: 6th March 2014

Updates

It’s been some time since our last e-newsletter. There is quite a lot to update you on so we will do this over the next couple of weeks.

Risso Bakery Update

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust regrets to announce that it has been unable to alter the outcome following the decision by the Development and Planning Commission at the December 2013 to permit the demolition of the Old Risso Bakery to make way for the construction of a modern hotel on the site.

Following that DPC meeting in which the decision to proceed with the hotel construction and the demolition of the bakery was passed by a majority of 4 to 3, the GHT appealed  to the developers to reconsider and at least to save the facade of the building to maintain the street scape of Engineer's Lane. Apart from the written appeal, the Trust brought the topic to the public domain by media coverage, including social media, and a public petition. A total of about 714 signatures were obtained to stop complete demolition of the building and to keep the facade. The campaign was halted in late January in the hope that there might have been room for further negotiation at official level to make some late alterations to the project, but unfortunately this has come to nothing.

At a meeting with the developer on the 17th February, the Trust was informed that viability of the project was dependent on the plans as presented to the DPC and that the very significant extra cost of keeping the facade would not be entertained by the developer.

The GHT will be unable to pursue this protest any further and has to accept the loss of this iconic building.

Despite this unwanted outcome, the Government has recognised the need to avoid this type heritage loss in the old town and has put together a committee to examine not only the many  other properties which are at risk of a similar fate, but to also look at the wider issues that impact negatively on the preservation of the old town. The Trust is committed to contributing to its full potential towards this committee but realises that successful action will only come about with the vocal support of the general public. With this in mind, we would like to encourage the general public to use it to voice their concerns on heritage issues either by bringing their concerns to the Trust or through wider public participation forums such as the DPC.

In the meantime, if any member has any historical photographs or interesting annecdotes of the Risso Bakery, please could you send us a copy via email or post?

Heritage on the Social Network

If you are active on Social Media Networks you may have noticed the increase in activity in these areas of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. The Trust now has a Facebook page, and is active on Twitter and Instagram as @GibHeritage. The aim of the accounts is not to debate issues, but rather to raise awareness about and celebrate aspects of Gibraltar’s unique heritage. Why don’t you look us up?

Why Join the Trust?

We have been running a series of news items in the Gibraltar Chronicle aimed at raising awareness on the work of the Trustees on the Board of the Trust and why each personally feels it is important to belong to our organisation. We will reproduce the series as part of our e-newsletters, and would like to invite you to also send in your comments on why you feel it is important to support the work of the Trust with the aim of publishing them in the future.

We start with our current longest serving Board Member, Manolo Galliano:

“I have been a Trustee of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust since November 2006 and have found my time in it as edifying, educational and interesting, although on many occasions, it has also been frustrating. I say this because there appears to be a profound apathy from the wider general public on what constitutes our heritage and how it should be protected, coupled with the constant pressure from developers in continuing to want to alter Gibraltar's special charm by the unsympathetic construction of out-of-character developments, which jar completely with other adjoining buildings or streetscapes, especially in the city centre.

Heritage, and with this I mean our heritage and that which we will leave for our children to inherit, is not only made up of worthy historical buildings, fortifications or archaeological sites, nor is it just our incomparable flora, fauna, geology and landscape of our beloved Rock. It is all this and more, it is our memories and aspirations as communities of peoples of different nations that have inhabited this homeland for hundreds of years, even millennia, if we are also to include our more distant forbearers. Our political and economic well-being is of utmost importance, but we must not forget to protect that which makes Gibraltar such a unique place. And remember- that which is lost, is lost forever!”

January Member Outing

The latest outing for GHT members held in January was a visit to the Gibraltar Museum where we were treated to an up close tour of the museum installations. Clive and Geraldine Finlayson, and Darren Fa, took the group on an extensive tour of the museum displays explaining in detail the stories behind the objects and their place in Gibraltar’s timeline. Having been curator at the Museum for over 20 years, Prof Finlayson was able to give the personal touch to the concept for the displays, and recent projects that had been undertaken by the Museum team. This included a comprehensive explanation of the Gorham’s Cave project and the importance of its recognition as a World Heritage Site. The tour lasted just over 2 hours with many taking the opportunity to ask questions and satisfy their curiosity on many aspects of Gibraltar’s history. Our thanks as always to the Museum team for what was an enjoyable and fascinating morning.