The many musical activities, theatrical performances andcultural and historical places have been drawing the crowdsto Valletta.

However these have had a side effect insofar as parking is concerned. Wardens have been having a field day.

They have fattened the pockets of their beneficiaries including the local council of Valletta.

Even the most remote places at the dead of night have drawn prowlers ready to stick charges on car wind screens.

Worse still, wardens make charges when patrons are watching a ballet performance at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. It happened to my wife and I, two septuagenarians still keen on education. We had arrived in the spacious square near St Elmo, We thought that an hour early before curtain rise was adequate.

Attempting to get into the parking area opposite the theatre, we were barred because we did not hold a special permit. Of course Malta ‘belongs to all’ (Malta tagħna lkoll).

We drove around the block.It was all in vain. So we decided to leave for home – a costly trip back to Mellieħa – and vowed never again.

Suddenly we saw cars being parked at the end of the centre strip in the wide expanse in front of St Elmo.

We followed suit and counted ourselves lucky.

It was not so. On coming out the ticket glared at us on the windscreen. We realised that the parking trap made no allowances for cultural hungry patrons.

Incidentally, the warden’s charges are brought home by couriers, an organisation called LESA. Of course spreading out dividends means more charges.