An Englishman abroad

Malta has a special place in Peter Robinson’s heart because it’s where he met his wife of 36 years. Now, as British Residents’ Association chairman, he tells Veronica Stivala how the BRA facilitates British expats’ life in Malta.

[attach id="249802" size="medium"]Peter Robinson. Photo: Jason Borg[/attach]

It was during the early 1970s that several letters were sent to the late former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff in order to set up an association for British expatriates living in Malta. At the time there were some 10,400 Brits on the island. That number is now around 6,300 permanent residents.

The organisation that eventually came to be known as the British Residents’ Association had its inaugural meeting on February 25, 1970 at the Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana. In the absence of the chairman, Wing Commander C.R. Smythe, the vice chairman G. T. Gamble took the chair.

Interestingly, the 43-year-old organisation was set up to ensure that UK expatriates had someone to speak for them on all sorts of matters, particularly income tax and other monetary dealings.

Of course, one of the primary aims of the association was to maintain good relations with the Maltese authorities and people, as Mr Gamble put it during that first meeting and which was received with applause.

The association quickly gained momentum, both among its members as well as with the late former Prime Minister Mintoff’s office. The British High Commissioner also offered them the full facilities of his office for the supply of information.

The social contact with British, Maltese and other nationalities is an important part of the process of settling in

The BRA held its first Annual General Meeting on December 2, 1970. Subscriptions were agreed at one guinea for 1971 (about a euro in today’s money). Various discussions took place at this meeting and the chairman concluded that BRA members should not look at the association solely from the point of view of what it offers them, but to see how they can help the organisation. In his words members needed to think, “What can I put into it to make it a success and not what can I get out of it for one guinea”.

Building strong relations between the association and the Maltese was and still is top on the BRA’s agenda. Current BRA chairman Peter Robinson explains how although the association’s mission is to provide a social outlet for British residents, they do not have a bar on any nationality joining the association. Everyone is welcome and members’ nationalities include Maltese, French, Russian, Dutch, Swedish and Danish.

A friendly and charismatic man, Mr Robinson explains how such an association can help expats deal with moving to a new country.

“I would like to think that we as an association can ease the entry of an expatriate into life in a new country by providing information on, and experience of, life here in Malta. After all we have over 40 years of experience which we can put to good use in this way.”

He stresses how the social contact with British, Maltese and other nationalities is an important part of the process of settling in.

“We also do our best to ensure the well-being of all of our members and have a network of welfare officers who do just that.”

Tall and fair, Mr Robinson has a longstanding relationship with Malta. He first came to the island with the Royal Air Force in the early 1960s and returned on duty quite frequently until he was posted here in 1976.

Speaking of relationships, Mr Robinson, from Clacton on Sea, Essex met his wife Mary, née Mizzi, who is Maltese, on the island. They married in 1977. He recalls how they left on March 31, 1979 when the forces finally withdrew but returned to live in Malta when Mr Robinson took early retirement in 1994. He originally returned to work in Malta but unfortunately the job he had planned fell through, leading him to become interested in serving on various committees.

Little did Mr Robinson know that when he became a BRA member in 1994, he would become chairman of the association 11 years later. Mr Robinson was first co-opted as chairman in October 2005 when the previous chairman stepped down. Apart from a one-year break he has been chairman since.

Mr Robinson admits he was initially reluctant to take on the task because he was already busy with other associations and organisations. However he was persuaded to take on the role and has managed to fit it in around his other interests which include committee work with other organisations such as the Malta Memorial District Nursing Association, George Cross Island Association and Royal British Legion and, of course, personal time.

Indeed it is precisely his varied experience in similar positions that he feels he has to offer the BRA. That and his “full commitment to the role no matter what difficulties may occur”.

This will be his last year as his elected term will come to an end in March next year. He speaks positively about his experience, noting how he has enjoyed the job but admits that “it is not for everyone” because it is very time consuming and requires constant input.

So what is life like for British residents in Malta?

“I can only really speak for myself,” admits Mr Robinson, “but I would say that we have an excellent quality of life in a country with good weather and friendly people. Compared to other countries everything is almost on your doorstep – this makes it very easy to go to the theatre or a concert without having to travel for hours to do so.

“There is also the added advantage that you need never be bored as there are so many interesting voluntary jobs which you can try your hand at.”

He denies there being any hurdles for expats once they have got over the stress of the settling in process. “This, of course, is made a little easier for you,” he remarks, “because you will have joined the British Residents’ Association and have the benefit of their collective wisdom”.