CHOGM to be seen off with 21-gun salute

The end of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be marked tomorrow with a 21-gun salute from the old Saluting Battery at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta at noon. Volunteers from Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will take a leaf out of the book of the late 19th century Royal Malta Artillery by firing the guns, which are early 19th century British iron 24-pdr muzzle loaders.

Apart from exchanging salutes with ships, the battery used to salute on the sovereign's birthday, coronation, birthdays of the royal princes and princesses and during the feast of St Paul, patron saint of Malta.

The public is invited to watch the spectacle from the Upper Barrakka Gardens terrace. After the end of the gun-firing the public will be able to examine the cannon, speak to the re-enactors and take pictures.

A nominal fee of Lm1 will be charged on entrance assisting the on-going restoration and upkeep of the historic battery.