My family lived in the Maltese village of Żurrieq until I was 12 years old, we then moved to Luqa. I was one of 10, and I had little interest in studying at school. Nevertheless at the age of 18 I wanted to better myself and to seek adventure so I obtained a work permit from the British Government and travelled to England under the assisted passage scheme. There I became accustomed to the way of life when I worked with one of my brothers who was already a waiter at a motel near London's Heathrow Airport.

Four years later, one of which had been spent working in the Channel Islands, I was granted permanent residence in the United Kingdom. I was not ready for the settled life and before long I packed my belongings into my car and set off to drive across Europe back to Malta. It took me only three days motoring past Mont Blanc down to the south of France and on to Torrino and the Regio Calabria in Italy.

Soon I was back in Malta.

I stayed for just one year working at the Mellieħa Bay Hotel before I returned to the UK to stay with my brother again. On this occasion I spent four years working in different areas of the country. It was during this time that I discovered the seaside town of Southend that boasts the longest pleasure pier in the Europe. By then (1986) I felt ready to settle down and decided to buy a house in Southend. Only three months later good fortune smiled on me when I met my future wife, Jackie, and her parents who were visiting the restaurant where I was working.

In 1988 we were married in the presence of all our friends and relatives who had arrived from Malta, Ireland and other areas of England. A friend surprised us by arriving with a horse and carriage to take us from the church to the reception at a nearby hotel. Our honeymoon was spent in Italy touring Rome, the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. Twenty years after our marriage Jackie and I live in a larger house with our two sons. The older one is studying graphic design while his brother attends the local Catholic secondary high school for boys.

I enjoy being a waiter as it allows me to meet lots of people.

Eighteen years ago I took employment with the local, very popular, casino where I work. The casino overlooks the Thames Estuary. Its restaurant is very busy especially at the end of May when the casino sponsors the largest free air show in Europe. Customers always appreciate excellent service, and this has led me to receive the employee and customer star service awards of 2008.

This resulted in financial recognition and the opportunity to travel to Cheshire where I met staff who have reached a similar standard when working at casinos throughout the country.

Life in my adopted country is very pleasant and rewarding but I still hold a Maltese passport and my leisure time is spent collecting books and cards of Malta through the ages. In addition to this I try to visit Malta regularly often in the company of Jackie and our sons.