Heard in the Hive

June 8 was a special day for a number of retired teachers who celebrated the 50th anniversary of their graduation day.

They were the first group to follow a two-year course at Mater Admirabilis Training College, Tal-Virtù. Maltese and Gozitan ex-students were joined by others residing in Belgium, the UK and the US.

Mass was celebrated at the Seminary chapel not only as thanksgiving but also for the repose of departed lecturers and colleagues. Later, the group reminisced about college life during a delicious buffet lunch held at the Selmun Palace Hotel.

All appreciated the uniqueness of this occasion. Indeed, it was a memorable reunion with years dropping away as the participants recognised previous room-mates and dancing partners.

Slimming UK founder in Malta

The founder of Slimming UK, Nanette Kyle, recently paid a visit to Malta where she met members of Slimming UK at the Mosta club.

In a short speech she emphasised the importance of choosing the right diet which not only helps us lose weight but which is healthy and can be incorporated in our everyday life. The ways of adjusting bad eating habits to good ones was a point which was discussed in detail.

Ms Kyle also noted that the Mosta and St Julian's classes were having very good results, and praised Valerie Portelli, Slimming UK consultant, for the professional way in which she conducts the meetings.

The aim of Slimming UK is to look after its members by holding meetings in nice and clean locations. Herbal teas, water, coffee and teas are distributed free of charge. Slimming UK also provides recipe books in Maltese and English which can be easily followed by the whole family. Most of all, an atmosphere of friendliness is experienced all around.

The annual event organised by Ms Portelli, who runs the Mosta/St Julian's classes, is being held at the Coastline Hotel on July 28.

French Ambassador meets Maltese-French Chamber of Commerce

On friday, June 16, the Ambassador of France and Mme Anne-Dominique Rives welcomed the members of the Maltese-French Chamber of Commerce during a reception at the ambassador's residence in Zebbug.

Ambassador Rives said that the economic and commercial exchanges between Malta and France ranked very high. In fact, France is the third supplier and second client for Malta with €784 million last year while Malta is the 73rd supplier and 58th client of France.

The ambassador said that although this was very satisfying, there still was room for improvement and more opportunities that should be seized, not only by large organisations but also by small and medium-sized ones.

In his address, the president of the Maltese-French Chamber of Commerce, David Fleri Soler, said that the chamber was looking forward to closer ties with organisations in connection with business in France.

The chamber was set up in October 1989 with the aim of promoting and developing commercial, industrial and tourism relations between Malta and France. In fact it co-operates with the competent authorities, organisations and institutions in Malta and France.

During the reception, guests were welcomed with fragrances by Guerlain, courtesy of Franks, and later with a tasting of French wines by Didier Sergeant of Grotto Tavern. They were also entertained by an accordionist.

Vassallo Builders Group's 60th anniversary

Vassallo Builders Group Ltd, commemorated their 60 years' involvement in the local building industry with an event held recently at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort.

The event was held under the patronage of President and Mrs Fenech Adami.

Following a performance by the Nicolo Isouard Band, which executed a number of classic movie soundtracks purposely selected for the occasion, a short visual passage through the group's history was shown reviewing the main milestones achieved throughout its 60 years of success. Nazzareno Vassallo, chairman of Vassallo Builders Group Ltd, who has been at the helm for the last 35 years, thanked all those who had contributed to this success and showed his appreciation towards all the employees, past and present that brought the organisation where it is today. The chief executive of the group, Pio Vassallo, also took the occasion to present Mr Vassallo with a special memento.

In a short speech, the President thanked all the directors, past and present, of Vassallo Builders Group for their entrepreneurship and their contribution towards the country's economy in the past 60 years.

At the end of the speech Mr Vassallo presented President Fenech Adami with the first copy of the newly published Vassallo Builders Group corporate brochure which outlines the organisation's achievements.

The evening ended with a reception during which the directors took the occasion to thank the many distinguished guests who had in many ways contributed towards the group's success.

15th anniversary of St Lazarus Special Rescue Group

On June 16, the Special Rescue Group of St Lazarus Corps celebrated its 15th anniversary with a special ceremony at the Topaz Hotel, Bugibba.

The founder and present head of the Special Rescue Group, Field-Marshal David Zammit, who was accompanied by Colonel Joseph Spiteri Audibert and Major Carmel Mangion, distributed a special commemorative medal to various members of the group who have rendered many years of voluntary service, as well as to several other recipients who have either been instrumental for the development of the Special Rescue Group or who have helped it in some way or another during these many years of its existence.

Among the recipients were Tom Cusens, on behalf of Technoline, Comm. Michael Ciavola, Comm. Paul Banavage, the mayor of Swieqi, Alfred Curmi, and Dame Helen Meli Attard, who represented the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem and the Order's Grand Vicar, Reginald S. Attard, who was indisposed.

Before the awarding ceremony, Field Marshal Zammit talked about the history of the Special Rescue Group, and referred in particular to the many years of service this group has rendered for the Maltese society. It started as a small team, but now includes various sections, including an underwater rescue team. It also offers an ambulance service. One has to mention that in this Special Rescue Group there are members of various professions, including doctors, businessmen and teachers.

The group today organises several courses and lectures to the new members, including special courses for children. New recruits are trained in various aspects of rescue assignments, and this is acquired through formal lectures and on site training.

Field Marshal Zammit remarked that he would like to see the Special Rescue Group growing and developing to provide more assistance and many more years of service to the Maltese society. He hoped that more children and adults will feel that sense of commitment to join this Special Rescue Group. During this occasion, Mr Zammit presented the ATLM Subaqua Club as an affiliated body within this organisation.

The St Lazarus Special Rescue Group inaugurated a new gala uniform consisting of a blue jacket and black trousers. The ceremony was followed by a dinner.

Cutajar - Bezzina

The marriage took place recently at St Mary's parish church, Gudja, between Dorothy Cutajar, B.Pharm. (Hons), daughter of Ing. and Mrs Carmelo Cutajar, of Zejtun, and Dr Sammy Bezzina, DVM, son of Mr and Mrs William Bezzina, of Qormi.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Edgar Busuttil, SJ.

The groom's brother, Bartholomew Bezzina, and the bride's cousin, Bridgit Bonnici, BA (Hons) Social Work, witnessed the ceremony.

The bride was attended by her sister Valerie Cutajar, B.Sc. (Hons), as bridesmaid. Noella Bezzina, the groom's cousin, was flower-girl, while Daniel Borg was pageboy. Paul Bugeja, the bride's cousin, carried out the duties of best man.

A reception was later held at Villa St Anne, Marsascala. The couple spent their honeymoon touring Scotland.

Polidano - Cassar

The marriage took place recently at St Agatha's church in Rabat between Alison Polidano, daughter of Franky and Phyllis Polidano of Pietà, and Charlo Cassar, son of Joe and Marlene Cassar of Hamrun.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Jesmond Grech. The ceremony was witnessed by Mary Flattley for the bride and George Cassar for the groom. Stephen Flattley and Pierre Aquilina carried out the duties of best man. The bride was attended by Rita Scerri and Nathalie Pace as bridesmaids.

A reception was held at the Olive Gardens, Mdina. The couple spent their honeymoon in Lugano; Switzerland.

Spiteri - Xuereb

The marriage took place recently at St Aloysius' College church, Birkirkara, between Elsie Spiteri, daughter of Alfred and Joan Spiteri of Ta' Xbiex, and Edric Xuereb, son of Saviour and Marie Theresa Xuereb of St Paul's Bay.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Saviour Grima and Fr Joe Mamo. The ceremont was witnessed by Joseph Caruana for the bride and Mario Xuereb for the groom. Reuben Xuereb and Gaetano Dimech carried out the duties of best man. The bride was attended by her sister Fiona Caruana, Tedra Mireille Xuereb as flower-girl, and Kieran Kyle Xuereb as pageboy.

A reception was later held at Palazzo Nobile, limits of Naxxar. The couple spent their honeymoon in Mauritius and Dubai.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements July 3-9

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President receives the president and committee members of the Maltese Cross Corps at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Canadian High Commissioner Robert R. Fowler on a farewell call.
Noon The President receives Professor Juanito Camilleri, newly elected rector of the University of Malta.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami leave Malta for Tunis on a state visit.
11 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami are welcomed by Tunisian President and Mrs Ben Ali at the official welcome ceremony at Carthage International Airport.
12.30 p.m. The President delivers the closing address of a business seminar at the Maison de l'Exportateurs.
6 p.m. Talks between the two Presidents at Carthage Palace.
9 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a state dinner in their honour hosted by the Tunisian President and Mrs Ben Ali.

Wednesday
8.30 a.m. The President lays a wreath at the Martyrs' Monument in Tunis.
8.50 a.m. The President meets the mayor of Tunis at the City Hall.
10 a.m. The President meets the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.
11.30 a.m. The President meets the President of Tunisia at Carthage Palace.
7 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception in their honour hosted by Dr Tanya Vella, Ambassador of Malta to Tunisia, at the Corinthia Khamsa Hotel.
8.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami leave Tunis for Malta.

Thursday
11 a.m. The President receives former Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu at the Palace, Valletta.
6.30 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the organising committee of the performance of Puccini's Madama Butterfly at San Anton Palace.
8 p.m. The President presides over the launching of the August Moon Ball at San Anton Palace.

Friday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a Malta Community Chest Fund working committee meeting at the Palace, Valletta.
8 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro and Mr Bordonaro on the National Day of the US at their residence, Villa Apap Bologna, in Attard.

People

Kevin Gouder recently graduated M.Sc. with Distinction in Advanced Computational Methods for Aeronautics, Flow Management and Fluid-Structure Interactions from the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London.

The course concentrated on computational modelling of fluid flows and also included modules in flow control and fluid-structure interaction modelling.

He conducted research into a dissertation entitled "Impulsive Blocking of Trailing Vortices" submitted in partial fulfilment of the M.Sc. degree. Amid tough competition, he topped the course and was eventually awarded the W.S. Atkins prize.

Mr Gouder is now in his fifth month of a three-and-a-half year Ph.D. programme at the same Imperial College London, where he is working on a project sponsored by defence and security company QinetiQ as well as EPSRC. His work involves the development and testing of a variable surface texture material for the purpose of skin friction reduction in turbulent flows.

Appreciation: Mgr Michaelangelo Apap

Dr Aaron Attard Hili, of Xaghra, writes:

The plucking of Mgr Apap from this earthly life on June 14 will leave a void in the village of Xaghra and beyond.

Mgr Apap is a well-known person in the artistic and intellectual fields. He was a multi-gifted person and left his imprint in churches and private commissions.

He was a late vocation after spending his life till into his 30s as a painter and tailor. On being ordained he went on with his artistic activity and dedicated his pastoral care to the community of Xaghra as well as carrying out spiritual activity in Gozo.

He was eventually bestowed with the title of Canon of the Xaghra Collegiate Chapter. He was one of the first pioneers of the Movement of Catholic Action and also an organiser of spiritual and cultural activities for the young prior to the establishment of the MUSEUM (Christian Doctrine Society) in Xaghra.

Mgr Apap succeeded at mixing his painting skills with tailoring. This could be found on the flags depicting the image of the village patron saint. A lot of them are still being proudly hoisted on rooftops all over the Maltese Islands during the village festas.

One can also admire his tailoring skills in the design and sewing of the titular statue canopy and damask in a number of churches.

He even showed his intellectual capabilities when he wrote poems.

For a number of years he lectured at the Gozo Lyceum, today Ninu Cremona school complex, where he taught art and religion. The school complex still has a large painting of his at the back of the entrance hall which depicts the coat of arms of Gozo with an unusual composition.

Many people knew Mgr Apap as a renowned orator. He was very much sought after by many parishes to deliver the festa panegyric. He was a gifted orator and rarely turned down an invitation to deliver homilies. They were straight-forward and simple and their message touched the congregation.

Were I to continue writing about this person, whom I knew very well from personal experience at his home studio and at church, I would never give a satisfactory appreciation in such a short contribution. However, I hope that this will pay homage to a person whose dedication in the artistic and spiritual fields was total.

Appreciation: Dr John Giglio

Dr Victor Grech, of Pembroke, writes:

John passed away last week. I have known him for almost a quarter of a century, spanning the periods before and during the time that he was Chief Government Medical Officer, and after his retirement.

In all of this time, John was an unshakable constant with a strong sense of duty, unimpeachable honesty and an unwavering conscience. Self-seeking was not in his nature or in his vocabulary, and he believed in getting the job done, for the good of the patient and the service, come what may.

His principles were unyielding, and while one may not always have agreed entirely with some of his contentions, we all knew that his arguments were totally based on his unwavering perceptions of right and wrong.

John was also an exemplary family man, a dedicated husband and a father of four. For these, among many other things, he has our unceasing respect and admiration. Rest in peace old friend.

Appreciation: Fr Mario Enriquez, O.Carm.

Mrs Mary Darmanin, of Fgura, writes:

The sudden demise of Fr Mario Enriquez really shocked me, as well as many parishioners of Fgura.

I moved to Fgura from Cospicua in 1974, and I immediately acquainted myself to Fr Mario. He started giving music lessons to my two daughters, who made very good progress thanks to his way of teaching and his love and dedication. Besides my daughters, he taught piano and guitar to hundreds of students. My daughters succeeded in obtaining Grade 8 in piano - theory and practice. Through his professional way of teaching, they, along with other students, passed with flying colours.

Fr Mario founded the parish choir, which he ably directed in all the liturgical occasions, and most of all, during the time of the local feast. He will be sadly missed this year when the feast will be celebrated in a week's time. His choice of music, training and direction of this choir was excellent. He was also a good composer, and many of his works will be performed during the coming feast.

Fr Mario was a humble priest and a great gentleman. Besides a priest, he was also the handyman of the convent. One could see Fr Mario doing gardening, the odd carpentry jobs, fixing electrical faults, and doing all sorts of maintenance work that the church and convent required. He did all these jobs without grumbling, and with a smile on his face.

He loved animals, especially cats, which used to roam in the convent and the garden surrounding the parish church.

Fr Mario's passing away will leave a big void in our parish. I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to his dear mother, his brothers, the Carmelite community, and to all those who loved him. I am sure he will be praying from heaven for the Fgura community. May God grant him eternal rest.

For your diary

The Society for Investigating the Credibility of Extraordinary Claims (SICEC) is showing The Process of Evolution at the Youth Travel Circle at 227, Merchants Street, Valletta, on Thursday at 7 p.m. David Pace will discuss a video presentation related to the development of Homo Sapiens.

The society will also discuss who was responsible for the burning of Rome on Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m. at the YTC.

Manuel Psaila will consider the traditional notion that Nero was responsible for the burning of Rome and he blamed it on the Christians. Is this what really happened or could there be evidence that shows a different truth?

To celebrate the 230th anniversary of American independence, the Maltese-American Association is organisting a buffet lunch on Sunday at Ghadira Bay, Mellieha.

Americans, Maltese-Americans and their guests are welcome. Lunch will be served at 12.30 p.m. For tickets and further information, call Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Place, Valletta, on 2122-2644, 21232545 or 2124-0255.

The St Joseph School Past Pupils Association (Sliema) is holding a buffet dinner "By the light of the Moon" on Friday, July 14, at 7.30 p.m. at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Manoel Island. Come along with your partners, former classmates and friends. Proceeds will be in aid of charity.

Phone Moira Tabone on 9940-2223 or Mary Sciortino on 2133-2839 by Monday, July 10. Tickets cost Lm7.