Heard in the Hive

Thirty-one models will be facing the last preliminary challenge before participating in the Miss Maltese Islands beauty contest, organised by Modelle International under the direction of Sue Rossi and Claudia Calleja, which will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on Saturday.

The winner will represent Malta in the 53rd Miss World Pageant on December 6. It will be held in Sanya, China, in a purposely-built theatre - the Miss World Theatre - to be inaugurated in November.The theatre, which has a seating capacity of 7,000, is built in the shape of a crown.

The filming prior to the Miss World Pageant will be held at Xian, the Chinese city famous for its "Terracotta Army", which all contestants will be given the opportunity to visit.

The winner of Miss Maltese Islands will be crowned with an 18-carat white gold crown with cultured pearls and precious stones. The crown and sceptre are produced by Worldgem, locally represented by Classic Jewellers, main sponsors of the event.

Last year the crown and sceptre were awarded to the winner, Joyce Gatt.

The show will be choreographed by AceLine Dance Company. Fashion shows will be provided by Caprio, Dor Boutique, Ray Ashley Fashion Studio, Agua Esmeralda Beachwear and Options together with a hairshow of Matrix hair products by Anteo Gemmianni.

The organisers would like to thank the sponsors: Classic Jewellers promoting Miluna, Kia Motors which will be giving away a car to the winner of a compeition, Paolo Bonnici Ltd for J&B Rare Scotch Whisky, Delicata Winemaker, Dor Boutique, Directions Travel Agency, Options, Sonlit Lighting, Wembley Motors, Woltz make-up, Ray Ashley Fashion Studio, Chantilly, Matrix Hair products, Styling Station, KYS Trophies, Corinthia San Gorg, Radisson Gym, Fotoclassic, Esmeralda Agua Beachwear, 6ixty 8ight Lingerie by Lady's Secrets, Maltacom, XFM 100.2, Busy Bee Caterers Ltd, Carmelo Abela Marketing Ltd, Auto Traders Ltd and Palazzo Nobile.

For tickets phone 9949-4817, 9947-2075, 2132-4611 or 2131-6304.

BOV organises swimming gala for employees

For the second consecutive year, Bank of Valletta organised a swimming gala for employees and their families.

The swimming events were held at the National Swimming Pool Complex, Tal-Qroqq. Over 100 BOV employees and relatives took part.

Swimming races were held for the employees' children in the eight, ten, 13 and 16 years age groups. BOV employees were also engaged in a stiff but friendly competition where team spirit was the order of the day. A race for executives was also organised with the participation of BOV executives and directors.

This successful event came to an end with a well-contested waterpolo competition.

The BOV swimming gala also helped to demonstrate the social commitment of BOV employees. It was decided that funds collected on a voluntary basis from registration fees would be donated to Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija.

Trophies and medals were presented to the winners by George Portanier, director and chairman of the BOV sports and social club, and Igino Xuereb, chief officer retail banking of BOV.

Birthday celebrations for Minister Pullicino

Environment and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino's 39th birthday was surely one to remember as it was celebrated in a different way. In fact the minister's birthday celebrations took place during an informal EU meeting for Agriculture Ministers in Greece.

During the meeting, which was held recently in the Greek island of Corfu, the other participating ministers and delegates surprised Mr Pullicino by organising a birthday party prior to the summit's official dinner.

The Greek minister, who was hosting the meeting, conveyed his best wishes on behalf of the other participating ministers.

Sliema Band's concerts in Brussels, The Hague

The Sliema Band, conducted by Mro Ronnie Debattista, recently gave various concerts in Brussels and The Hague.

The band club's president, Dr Tonio Portughese, received special decorations from representatives of the local administrations and on behalf of the European Union in recognition of these high-quality performances.

At the end of the special programme in Brussels he was presented with an EU flag to mark the first performance by a full musical ensemble of the Maltese anthem in Brussels. In The Hague, Malta's Ambassador Adrian Strickland addressed the audience at the prestigious Hotel des Indes, underlining Malta's European vocation and giving a brief account of the country's historical and cultural heritage.

The Sliema Band performed works by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Robert Stolz, Kenneth Alford, Johann Strauss, Pasqual Marquina and its own conductor Mro Ronnie Debattista, FLCM.

Sigmund Mifsud rendered a solo performance on the trumpet of The Grandfather Clock by George Doughty, while Dominic Darmanin on the trombone performed the entertaining work The Laughing Trombone by Dave Baker.

Both received a warm ovation. Mro Debattista was singled out by Denise Overeem, conductor of one of Holland's most renowned orchestras - the Roemeens Ensemble from The Hague.

In the Dutch capital, the Sliema Band, conducted by assistant bandmaster Mro Sigmund Mifsud, performed religious hymns during Mass at the main parish church. Mark Gauci on the euphonium performed Panis Angelicus during Holy Communion.

At the end of the celebration the band performed the popular Marian hymn Viva Dejjem (Long live Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) by Domenico Quercetti, and Beethoven's Ode to Joy.

This was the eighth trip abroad by the band in recent years. It will be specially remembered in the Sliema musical society's history for the high musical standards achieved in the performances, also for the first ever performance by a local band of Malta's national anthem in Brussels, and for having been decorated with the official EU flag in recognition of its long-standing contribution to the dissemination of Malta's culture overseas.

Augustinian community en fête

The feast of St Augustine was this year marked with a very special celebration at the Millennium Chapel, Paceville, with an invitation extended to all members of the Augustinian community in Malta.

The Millennium Chapel organised an evening of prayer and reflection on the writings and teachings of St Augustine led by Fr Provincial Lucian Borg.

This was followed by a most enjoyable barbecue at the Corinthia San Gorg. As explained by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, director of the Millennium Chapel, the barbecue was not only an occasion to bring the community together but also an opportunity to raise funds for the development of a permanent site next to the Millennium Chapel for WOW - Wishing Others Well.

WOW is the social arm of the Millennium Chapel and seeks to extend the mission of the chapel in providing social and material support to those who need it. It is planned to be a communications and meeting centre, a reference point for needy persons and a location for support, advice and counseling as well as training.

The evening was attended by close to 300 persons and the crowd was entertained by Julian Casha and George Curmi (Il-Pusé) on the violin.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - September 8-10

Tomorrow
9.30 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco attend a Pontifical Mass on the occasion of Victory Day at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
9.15 p.m. The President attends a musical programme on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the Ghaqda Madonna tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel at Pjazza s-Sliem, Zabbar.

Tuesday
9.30 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco depart for a private visit to Italy.
8.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco are hosted to dinner by Dott Sergio Billé, president of Confcommercio (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Commercio, del Turismo e dei Servizi) in Rome.

Wednesday
9.10 a.m. The President is interviewed during the programme Uno mattina at RAI's studios in Rome.