The Grand Priory of the Maltese Islands of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem held an investiture ceremony at Torri Lanzun in Mensija.

Due to the large gathering Mass was celebrated in the rustic courtyard by Fr. Joseph Forte, SDB, chaplain of the Grand Priory of the Maltese Islands.

The investiture ceremony was conducted by the Grand Prior of the Maltese Islands, Marquis Antoine Zammit of Tiana, on behalf of Grand Master Don Francisco de Borbon y Escasany, the Duke of Seville, to whom all members swear allegiance saving that owed to their respective head of state.

The Grand Chancellor of the Order, Grand Collar Geoffrey Fosberry, and the Countess Alda Fosberry who are resident in Malta, were guests of honour of the Grand Priory together with distinguished officers from the Commandery of the Castello.

Eight new candidates were inducted into the order. They were presented with the cross of the order which is the symbol of charity and the Mantel of the order bearing the green eight pointed cross.

During the ceremony, long-standing members received promotion to a higher grade as well as awards for loyalty, merit and dedicated service to the order.

A reception was held in the Knights' Hall of the Torri Lanzun, decorated with antique heraldic banners and original coats of arms, providing the perfect setting for the members, foreign and local guests to socialise.

Queen hosts reception at Le Méridien

Queen Elizabeth hosted a reception at Le Méridien Phoenicia on November 24, which was attended by 400 guests, including President Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, ministers, ambassadors, captains of industry and leaders all the major associations, senior members of the HMS Illustrious and prominent Maltese personalities and British citizens.

Andy Gaskin, executive head chef, created interesting new canapés for the occasion, while florist Vivienne Bell produced beautiful displays of yellow roses, birds of paradise, orange gerberas, white lilies and exotic greenery.

Also present were Prince Philip, UK Secretary of State Jack Straw, Le Méridien banqueting operations manager Philip Lanzon and general manager Benjamin Sington.

HSBC presents books to Gudja primary school

HSBC Cares for Children Fund has continued its distribution of books to primary schools throughout the southern area, with the presentation of some Lm400 worth of publications to the primary school in Gudja.

The books were presented to head of school George Sammut by HSBC Southern Area director Francis X. Gouder.

"Education has been a central theme of HSBC's commitment to the community. Over the past year, HSBC Cares for Children Fund has been distributing books to various primary schools in Malta. This initiative reinforces HSBC's support for the fight against illiteracy and the determination to help to provide all children in Malta with the opportunity to obtain a good education, something which will inevitably also benefit the Maltese economy," Mr Gouder said.

HSBC funds restoration of 15th century chapel

Restoration work on the 15th century chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption, known as Ta' Ceppuna, in Marsa, will begin in the near future following a donation from HSBC Cares for Malta's Heritage Fund.

The chapel's historical highlight was when the body of Malta's first Grand Master, Philip Villiers de l'Isle Adam, stopped overnight during his funeral procession from Mdina to Birgu in August 1534.

The chapel was used for centuries by hunting parties who would hear Mass before indulging in their favourite sport. It also suffered extensive damage during World War II, when the chapel was used as a store. Work on the chapel will be carried out by the Restoration Unit of the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure.

Desmond Don Paul, who presented the bank's sponsorship to Minister Ninu Zammit, said: "Very few people know that within the grounds of the Marsa Sports Club lies this historic chapel, which is always accessible to the public. HSBC has a well-known long-standing commitment to Malta's children, environment and heritage."

"The Resources and Infrastructure Ministry is constantly restoring and upgrading hundreds of historical buildings around Malta and Gozo. The Ministry's Restoration Unit uses its expertise to ensure that all projects are carried out to the very highest standards.

With such a vast heritage, it is very difficult for us to be able to restore every building. We would therefore like to thank HSBC and their Heritage fund, for this fine gesture which will help us restore this important Chapel much earlier than would otherwise have been possible," Minister Zammit said.

German students' visit

Fr John Sammut writes:

Thirty students from the upper classes of a German secondary school in Langweden (Lower Saxony) decided to visit Malta with their headmaster, Henrick Hillmann, and teachers. They organised an exhibition on Malta in their school, whereby they got to know the island's geography and history.

This exhibition was also opened to the public, thus raising funds were to subsidise the tour. The headmaster made also contacts in Malta to make their stay here as interesting as possible.

One of these contacts was with the German Chaplaincy. Arrangements were made so that the students could experience the Maltese way of life. They visited Naxxar Boys' Secondary School and toured Mosta in the company of Maltese youths. A small reception was held later at the Civic Centre, hosted by the youth delegate, Marisa Mifsud.

The Naxxar secondary school impressed the young German visitors because of the spacious classrooms, corridors and workshops. They were surprised by the free zones between the school blocks where students could walk and play football.

The hospitality shown to them by the headmaster, Mr J. Mifsud, the school staff and students reached its peak when a school teacher, Charles Sultana, offered and took a German boy who was slightly injured during a friendly match to hospital. Thank God it was not serious and the boy returned to his group.

Like other tourists, the group were impressed by the interior of Mosta Dome and they many questions on how it was built and financed. They had already heard the story of the bomb piercing the dome in the war, but seeing and being on site was a great experience.

Later the German and Maltese youths were split into groups of ten and the Maltese showed their guests around the old streets of Mosta. The structure of the houses and the numerous small shops along their tour gave them a brief insight into daily Maltese village life.

At a special reception in the local council hall the usual speeches were made for the occasion, and small gifts were exchanged. To conclude this eventful day the local council treated the visitors to Kinnie and pastizzi.

APS Bank helps Institute of Agriculture

APS Bank is sponsoring reference library facilities that would complement the teaching facilities utilised for the course leading to a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Mediterranean Agro-Ecosystems Management of the Institute of Agriculture of the University of Malta.

The bank and the Institute of Agriculture have an ongoing co-operation in aspects of local rural development. APS Bank recognises the important role of the Institute and is pleased to be a strategic partner of the institute. This new degree is being offered in collaboration with the University of Perugia.

Accessibility to a library dealing in agricultural topics is crucially important to such an institution. Over the years, various individuals have donated their personal library, which today are not so accessible because of insufficient library facilities and proper shelving. Thus, APS Bank is sponsoring a modern shelving system.

'The recently approved strategy of the Institute of Agriculture put strong emphasis on collaboration with stakeholders and partners and it is in this spirit that the institute is delighted to establish collaborative partnership with the APS Bank. We are sincerely appreciative of the bank's continued support," said Dr George Attard, director of the Institute of Agriculture.

"It is the bank's satisfaction to help the Institute of Agriculture to improve its facilities and thus make the only agricultural reference library in Malta more accessible to the public and in particular to the students," said George Vella, head Corporate Strategy, APS Bank, during the presentation of the sponsorship.

People

Dr Christopher Bezzina, a member of the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta, has been appointed visiting professor at the Alma Mater Studiorum of the University of Bologna to conduct the educational leadership component in their Master's degree programme specifically aimed at school leaders.

He has also been appointed as the only external board member in the recently established Educational Governance, Accountability and Management Centre within the University of Bologna.

Dr Bezzina was chosen again to be a member of an expert group appointed by the Lithuanian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and the Ministry of Education and Science so as to assess all primary and pre-primary teacher education courses in the country.

Individual reports for the institutions and overall recommendations to the Lithuanian government to bring teacher education into line with EU standards have been presented.

Dr Bezzina has recently been appointed as the Teachers and Trainers Cluster expert for Malta within the European Commission.

The European group is exploring approaches to providing continuing professional development of teachers and trainers in general and initial vocational education. The group acts as a springboard for each respective country to reflect on the basis of examples of policy practice.

Fr Edward Xuereb, parish-priest of Ghasri and judge at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the diocese of Gozo, recently successfully defended his thesis for a Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Malta.

The thesis, entitled "The Simulation of Sacramentality and the Validity of Marriage", was defended before an examining board comprising the Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the Gregorian University of Rome.

Fr Xuereb already holds a doctor's degree in Canon and Civil Law from the Pontificium Institutum Utriusque Iuris of the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome.

Dancer attends professional course in UK

Tamara Micallef is currently attending the Professional Dancers Course at the Kate Simmons Dance School in the UK. The three-year intensive course will lead to the National Diploma in Professional Dance, validated by the Trinity College in London.

Tamara auditioned with Ms Simmons in Malta last July. Ms Simmons was immediately struck by her potential and encouraged her to attend the dancers' course at her academy, where Tamara hopes to further develop her work in preparation for the daunting task of auditioning for professional dance companies.

Tamara started her ballet training at the age of five at Daphne Lungaro Ballet School. She then became a student of Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud at Tanya Bayona-Princess Poutiatine Academy of Ballet and later at The Dance Workshop.

Under Ms Lungaro-Mifsud's guidance, Tamara passed her Advanced 2 Ballet (Cecchetti Method) exam in 2003 with honours. Tamara also has an extensive knowledge of Jazz dance which she studied with Janet Vella and Claire Cassola.

She also attended various dance courses abroad, from the Arts Educational Dance School in Tring and the London Studio Centre to the UVA Grapes contemporary dance course in Catania, where she was able to further her ballet studies and develop a passion for contemporary dance with Giusi Santagati.

The Kate Simmons Dance School in Warrington, Cheshire, is considered to be one on the leading dance schools in the UK, attended by students from all over the world.

Students of the dancers' course are successfully auditioning with companies in the UK, Germany and also for K-Ballet in Japan.

For your diary

The fund-raising committee of Christ the King parish, Paola, is holding its an annual Christmas bazaar in support of various philanthropic and religious functions at the parish hall, till Sunday, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 8 p.m.

A Christmas bazaar in aid of the Carmelite parish church, Balluta, is being held at the parish centre in Scicluna Street, Sliema, from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m., till December 12.

The La Vittoria Band Club of Mellieha is organising a Christmas sale at Maria Bambina Hall till December 13. Opening hours: weekdays from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and public holiday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 9 p.m.

The Malta Floral Club is organising a Christmas sale of floral arrangements followed by a fork lunch at Villa Arrigo on Tuesday at 11.30 a.m. Phone 2137-8716 or 9942-6495.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday from 10 a.m. For bookings call Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, will be organising a coffee morning/tombola at the parish hall, Attard, on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m. For tickets, at Lm1.50, phone the Corradino Centre on 2169-3863 or 2143-6421; they are also available at the door.

The Old Aloysians' Association is organising its annual reunion on Thursday. Mass will be held at the college's inner chapel at 9 a.m., followed by coffee at the gym cafeteria, and the annual general meeting.

The Mission Fund is organising a dinner dance with live entertainmentby Conrad Briffa, music from the Sixties and the golden oldies, at the De Rohan Hall, Grand Mercure San Anton, Bugibba, on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained from the Mission Fund at 72/2, St Joseph Flats, Triq il-Farinal, Mosta (tel. 2141-3664), Café Papillon, Balzan (tel. 2144-4643) or Hamrun (tel. 2125-2889), and Tutto Sport, Valletta (tel. 2123-6794). All proceeds go to Maltese missionaries in Third World countries.

Caritas Co-operators are holding their annual grand Christmas dinner dance at the Spinola Suite, Hilton Hotel, St Julian's, on Friday at 8 for 8.30 p.m. The lively band of "Quacks" will be in attendance. The annual super lottery will be drawn during the evening. For more information and bookings contact Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910 or Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016.

St Dorothy's Junior School, Zebbug, is holding its annual fair on Sunday. There will be gifts, games, food, Father Christmas, abseiling and more.

Christmas concert at St Joan Antide School

The Munchies, a group of Form 5 theatre students, attending the Immaculate Conception School (three of whom are seen below), are organising a Christmas concert at St Joan Antide School, Gudja, on Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost Lm1 and all proceeds will go towards the school gym. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by phoning 7932-7954.

Nature Trust marine roadshow

Nature Trust (Malta), the environmental NGO, has brought over an unusual exhibition consisting of life-size and life-like inflatable species of whales, dolphins, sharks and turtles (including the Blue Whale, the Great White shark and the leatherback turtle).

This was set up in collaboration with the British High Commission, Project Aware Foundation and Whales and Dolphins Conservation Society, and with the help of sponsors, including British Airways, International Animal Rescue, HSBC, Malta Tourism Authority, Malta Maritime Authority and SR Environmental Solutions.

It aims to create awareness about the need and importance of protecting our marine environment.

The Marine Roadshow started last Monday and will continue till Saturday. It is touring schools and some public places, such as Bay Street today from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Imax tomorrow and on Tuesday, and St George's Bay on Saturday from 10 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.

The last day of the show is going to be packed with events. These include an open day by the Marine Rescue Unit of Nature Trust (Malta), a 24-hour service of volunteers, among them biologists and veterinarians, who undertake rescues of injured dolphins and turtles. This expensive service saves the lives of at least three dolphins and a dozen turtles per year.

Persons wishing to donate Lm2 to help in the setting up of this centre can send a blank SMS to 5061-8062 for both Vodafone and GoMobile or can send in their donations by cheque addressed to Nature Trust (Malta) Wildlife Rehabilitation centre Project, P.O. Box 9, Valletta.

For further information contact Nature Trust Malta on info@ naturetrustmalta.org, tel./fax 2131-3150, 9942-2086; address P.O. Box 9, Valletta CMR01.

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