Heard in the hive

The directors of Bentley Trust Ltd recently held a Christmas reception at the Quarterdeck Bar at the Hilton Hotel to celebrate the successful move of the company to Malta and to show its appreciation to those involved.

Bentley Trust has established an office in the Portomaso Business Tower and currently employs 12 people.

The directors have been extremely pleased with the assistance that they have received from the Malta Financial Services Authority and the local professional community.

Nic Bentley, chairman of the Bentley Reid Group, mentioned favourably that he has found Malta to be a well regulated and a solution-orientated location.

The reception was attended by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who has been taking an active role in the development of the financial services industry in Malta. Other dignitaries and members of the local financial profession were present.

Annual St Andrew's night

The annual get-together of the St Andrew Society (Malta) and their guests, celebrating Scotland's National Day and feast of their patron saint, St Andrew, was held recently at the Dolmen Resort Hotel.

Guests of honour were President Eddie Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami, who along with the British High Commissioner and Mrs Vincent Fean, the Australian High Commissioner and Mrs Richard Palk, the society's patron, Chief Justice Emeritus Professor J.J. Cremona, and president Helen MacLachlan and her husband Duncan, made up the top table and were piped to their seats by Mario Farrugia.

The arrival of the members and guests was heralded by the pipe playing of John van Dyke and after a welcome drink the guests took their places where they were welcomed by Mrs MacLachlan with a special word to the President and Mrs Fenech Adami, whose daughter and her family live in Scotland.

Grace was said by the Rev. David Morris, minister of St Andrew's Scots Church in Valletta, and the company were regaled by the evening's fine fare served up by the Dolmen staff.

Mr Farrugia led the piping in of the Great Chieftain, followed in procession by the haggis itself carried by Dolmen chef Derek Abbot, himself a Scot, John Kirkpatrick, who carried the quaich and Ballantine's Scotch Whisky, supplied by Messrs Wands Ltd, and finally John Lejman addressed the haggis.

Mr Lejman was in workmanlike mood as he cast his jacket, all the better to "cut ye up wi' ready slicht" and justly earned his dram and round of applause.

The rest of the meal was duly served and washed down by fine wines supplied by Delicata Winemaker and rounded off with coffee, homemade shortbread and Drambuie, also supplied by Wands.

The evening continued with the toasts, Mr Fean toasting the President of Malta and Professor Cremona the Queen. Mr Fean then read a letter to members of the society from Scotland's First Minister, Jack MacConnell, before toasting Scotland.

Ian Fraser toasted the guests in a witty and personal welcome with the members then standing to raise their glasses. In his reply, Rabbi H. Richer, a long-standing friend of the society, mentioned many friends, old and new, and his reply was heartfelt and deserved the ovation it received.

Mrs MacLachlan then gave a vote of thanks to one and all - to the distinguished guests, speakers, sponsors Messrs Wands Ltd and Delicata Winemaker, and to the staff of the Dolmen for their efforts before giving over the evening to music and dancing, including Scottish Country Dancing led by Jim Poucher.

The society's next function will be the Burns Supper at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sliema, on January 25.

Maltese Diabetes Association's annual fund-raising dinner

The Grand Ballroom of the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort was the venue for the annual fund-raising dinner organised by the Maltese Diabetes Association.

The event was attended by 300 guests from all walks of life. They were treated to a sumptuous dinner ably prepared by Island Caterers Limited. Flowing wines from Italy and liquors courtesy of Red October Ltd were served during dinner. Entertainment was provided by Conrad Briffa and his band.

A raffle was also organised and over 20 gifts were drawn as prizes. Sponsors included Kenneth V. Zammit Tabona who donated one of his beautiful paintings, Vodafone Malta Ltd, Go Mobile, Jos. Debono Jewellers, Reach Ltd, V.J. Salomone Trading Ltd, P.J. Sutters Ltd, Barracuda Restaurant, New Dolmen Hotel, Henry J. Beans, The Xara Palace Hotel, Le Meridien Phoenicia, Barcelò Riviera & Spa Resort, Suncrest Hotel, Coastline Hotel, Westin Dragonara Resort, Calypso Hotel Gozo, Red October Ltd, Marks & Spencer, Marco Shoes, Zak Shoes, Travellers, Miranda Publishers, Amal Group, Master Wines Group and Cynergi.

The guests were addressed by Chris J. Delicata, vice-president of the association and chairman of the organising committee of this event. He spoke about the importance of such events and outlined the activities the association organises to promote awareness on this condition. At the end of the dinner Anna Zammit McKeon, president of the association, thanked all the guests present for their support.

St Monica Choir supports Augustinian missions

The committee of the St Monica Choir recently organised a reception for the choristers, helpers and sponsors of the choir at the Marie Louise Suite of the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort.

This brought to an end the 40th anniversary celebrations and proved to be a treat for all those who worked so hard throughout this memorable year.

During the reception, Sr Beniamina Portelli presented a cheque for Lm4,000 to Rev. Mother Provincial Miriam Grech as a donation from the proceeds of the concert The Circle of Life in aid of the Augustinian missions in Tagatay in the Philippines.

The night also featured the launch of the documentary on DVD, produced by Nathaniel Caruana and Ray De Bono, commemorating the choir's 40 years.

Each chorister was presented with a memento, and finally the annual Award of Appreciation was presented to this year's winner, Nathaniel Caruana. Indeed a fairy tale-like end to a wonderful year.

Miss, Mr, Junior Mediterranean contest winners

MODELLE INTERNATIONAL recently organised the Miss Mediterranean, Mr Mediterranean, and Junior/Mini Miss Mediterranean contests at the Pavilion of the Westin Dragonara Resort.

Thirty-five males, females and children participated in the contests. Mireille Bonello compered the event.

The title Miss Mediterranean was awarded to Chantelle Enriquez. Luana Casha and Sera Dalli were first and second runners-up.

Glen Galea placed first in the Mr Mediterranean contest, followed by Waylin Abdilla and Norbert Bezzina.

The Junior Miss Mediterranean was won by Madeline Spiteri, while Thea Saliba placed second.

The Mini Miss Mediterranean was won by Mariah Borg, while Chantel Cardona and Elizabeth Darmanin placed second and third.

Little Dragons Children's Fashion Wear of San Gwann presented a fashion show of items and accessories for boys and girls; a hair show was put up by Victoire Hair Salon of San Gwann.

Hamrun mayor weds

St Anne's parish church, Marsascala, was recently the wedding venue for Dorothy Fitzpatrick, Cert. CIB, daughter of Alfred and Inez Fitzpatrick, of Rabat, and Dr Luciano Busuttil, BA, LL.D., mayor of Hamrun, son of Benjamin and Anna Busuttil, of Hamrun.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Colin Apap. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Gavin Gulia, LL.D., MP, and Lourdes Fenech Lautier, cousin of the bride. Karl Borg carried out the duties of best man.

The bride, who looked radiant in her exclusive designer wedding gown, was attended by her cousin Dorianne Lautier as maid of honour and her nieces Kimberly Fenech Lautier and Phaedra Fitzpatrick as flower-girls.

The rings were tied to two white bridal teddy bears and put in a small basket. Michaela Fenech Lautier was the ring-bearer.

A reception was later held at Villa Maria, l/o Zurrieq. The newly-weds will spend their honeymoon in the UK.

For your diary

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Skyroom, Preluna Hotel, on Wednesday 12 at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

Caritas co-operators are organising a day at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel, St Julian's, on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. There will be a talk on the Knights of Malta by Brigadier Claude Gaffiero at 11.15, Mass at noon and lunch at 1 p.m.

For more information and tickets phone Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016, Mary Darmanin Demajo on 2131-3486 and Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910.

Ward u Zghar is organising tombola at the Centru Hidma Socjali on Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868.

The Rehabilitation for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, is organising a coffee morning/tombola at the Sunny Coast Leisure Club, Qawra, on Thursday at 9.30 a.m. For tickets, at Lm1.50 each, phone the centre on 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.

The National Council of Women in collaboration with the European Centre of Gerontolgy and Geriatrics of the University of Malta, is organising a half-day seminar entitled "Preparing for Active Retirement", led by Professor Joseph Troisi and Maurice Petrocochino, at the NCW Centre in Blata l-Bajda on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration fee is Lm1.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements January 10-16

Tuesday

10 a.m. The President exchanges New Year's greetings with members of the diplomatic corps at the Palace, Valletta.

11.30 The President receives the newly appointed board of MEPA.

6.30 p.m. The President attends a reception hosted by Jean Faltz, Ambassador of Luxembourg, on the occasion of start of Luxembourg's Presidency of the EU, at the Hotel Le Meridien, Phoenicia.

Wednesday

10 a.m. The President receives Indonesian Ambassador Freddy Numberi on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.

10.45 The President receives Dr Godwin Grima, newly appointed Principal Permanent Secretary.

Thursday

10.15 The President receives the representatives of the Anglican Chaplaincy and is presented with a donation in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President exchanges New Year's greetings with honorary consuls in Malta.

7.30 p.m. The President presides over the presentation of the Gold Medal 2004 Award organised by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, at Palazzo De La Salle, Valletta.

Friday

8 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concert Malta 4 Asia in aid of the tsunami victims at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.

Saturday

6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the Golden Heart Family award ceremony organised by the Cana Movement at Palazzo Palina, Ta' Cenc Hotel, Gozo.