Heard in the Hive

Rich, vibrant colours of the Mediterranean have inspired Miriam Sorrell's exhibition, titled 'Passion', being help up to March 9 in the Upper Galleries of St James Cavalier, Valletta. The exhibition was opened by Maria Grech Ganado.

The 62 mixed media works on show demonstrate the artist's innate need to let this bright vitality burst out through her works with their contrasting deep bright blues, greens and reds.

The mood of the universal and spiritual elements constantly comes out in her paintings, achieving a sinuous, organic flow and tactile sensuality.

Sorrell was selected from hundreds of contemporary artists in the UK to donate a painting to the cancer research "Art for Life" exhibition on March 10 at Christie's in London. This is a celebrity event with extensive media coverage, and includes paintings donated by renowned artists including Beryl Cook, Laura Lian, Lynn Chadwick, Luke Elwes, Allen Jones, Peter Coker and Philip Diggle.

Christie's plays host to this exclusive art event on March 10. The evening will include a champagne reception, a private viewing of work by leading contemporary artists, and an auction.

"Art for Life" has attracted a loyal and growing following among art lovers. It is the perfect opportunity to view a unique exhibition of leading contemporary art, while helping us to raise over £75,000 for cancer research. The event has been held at a number of prestigious venues and is returning to Christie's for 2003.

Thames Valley University award

Alphonse Farrugia, former general secretary of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (1991-2001), has been awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the London College of Music by Thames Valley University, London, in recognition of his work (within the society) in connection with the examinations of the London College of Music.

The College has been represented in Malta for the past 75 years by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Malta is one of the largest LCM examination centres worldwide.

The conferment of the Fellowship on Mr Farrugia took place recently by Professor Kenneth Barker, vice-chancellor of Thames Valley University, during the ceremony for the presentation of the 2002 academic awards at the Wembley Conference Centre, London.

Following an address by Professor John Howard, director of examinations LCM, Mr Farrugia gave an acceptance speech in which he expressed his gratitude to the University for the award.

He said he wanted to share the honour with, and pay tribute to, Carmelo Cuschieri and Marquis Godwin Drago d'Aragona, the two society presidents whom he worked with in this last decade and who were a source of inspiration and encouragement in promoting the London College of Music, and Francis Portelli, executive officer of the society for 50 years, through whose efforts the London College of Music is known and appreciated in every town and village in Malta.

Mr Farrugia was general secretary of the Malta Union of Teachers for 30 years and director of the Central Bank of Malta. He was appointed Member of the National Order of Merit in 1995.

KOMR association

Following the disbandment of the King's Own Malta Regiment in 1972, all contact with the regiment's former members ceased.

After that date, a few ex-members revived the KOMR Association with the principal aim of extending a helping hand to all those who had served in the regiment, when in need, and, following their death, assisting the surviving spouse or next-of-kin.

The committee believes that there are many more ex-members of the regiment who have served in peace or in war who are still alive but who remain unknown to the association. Hence, the committee would like to complete the association's records.

From time to time, the association organises entertainment functions to maintain the bond of friendship among its former members.

The association appeals to all those who have served in the regiment to write to S.W. Joslin, secretary, at "Maria", 26, A.E. Caruana Street, Birkirkara, BKR 08, stating their address, telephone number, rank and regimental number so that the association's records could be updated.

Gozitan shopper wins Piaggio at Bay Street

Eileen Mercieca from Xaghra, Gozo, is the lucky winner of a Piaggio motorcycle sponsored by the Demajo Group following her participation in the Bay Street Shop and Win campaign.

Over the forthcoming months other prizes consisting of weekend breaks at the Bay Street Hotel, will be drawn leading up to the grand prizes consisting of a Daewoo Matiz II car, and a seven-day Mediterranean cruise for two with Royal Olympic Cruises.

Participating in the campaign is easy; all one has to do is spend Lm5 or more from any Bay Street outlet and answer four simple questions on the back of the voucher he or she will be given with every purchase. Participants can submit as many entries as they desire.

Maltapost Sports and Social Club donation to MCCF

The Maltapost Sports and Social Club recently committee presented a cheque for Lm492 to President Guido de Marco as a contribution to the Community Chest Fund.

The sum was collected from contributions by Maltapost staff during the Christmas festivities. The collection was made on the initiative of the Sports and Social Club.

Maltapost chief executive Robert Lake and Social Club president Joe Gafà also attended the presentation, which was held at the Palace, Valletta.

Volksbank Malta's courtesy call on President

On the occasion of the first meeting of the board of directors of Volksbank Malta Ltd since it has been granted a licence to offer the full range of banking services to residents of Malta, the directors recently paid a courtesy call on President de Marco.

The President welcomed the chairman, Maurice Mizzi, managing director Thomas Havlik, Dr Christian Kaltenbrunner and Werner Wess at the Palace, Valletta.

Volksbank Malta Ltd, which has been operating as an offshore bank for the last seven years, opened its doors to local customers last November and has since been offering its services both to non-residents and Maltese alike.

The future of the bank within the changing economic environment was one of the topics discussed during the visit.

As subsidiary of Österreichische Volksbanken AG in Vienna, Austria, the links of Volksbank Malta Ltd to the parent company were another topic of the meeting, leading to a very interesting discussion of the history of Austria, during which Professor de Marco deeply impressed the directors with his detailed knowledge of the subject.

People

Joseph Farrugia, a father of two, has made remarkable progress and reached new standards in his hobby of bird breeding, particularly coloured canaries.

For the last four years, he spent much of his limited free time studying the basics of coloured canary genetics, breeding, experimenting with the latest mutations known as New Series birds, while travelling to the Netherlands each year to discuss and share judging experiences of their birds which at displays amount to nearly 4,000.

His efforts paid off on December 30, when he became the first official Maltese judge in the OMJ - Ordre Mondial Juges for the COM - Confederation Ornitologique Mondial. His experience is an asset to local judging and a guide to future followers.

Dr David Gatt, MD, FRCA, recently graduated Master of Science in pain management with Distinction at the University of Wales College of Medicine. His M.Sc. thesis - "Development of a Maltese Pain Questionnaire" - dealt with the construction of a tool to assist in the evaluation of patients suffering pain.

Dr Gatt was educated at De La Salle College, Cottonera, and read medicine at the University of Malta, graduating in 1988. He undertook postgraduate training in anaesthesia at St Luke's Hospital, Malta, and in the UK in the Department of Anaesthesia at the North Staffordshire Hospital Centre, the Nottingham/ Mansfield anesthetic training rotation and Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester. He was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 1994.

Dr Gatt was appointed to the post of consultant in the Department of Anaesthesia at St Luke's Hospital in 1997. He is actively involved in the development and provision of acute and chronic pain management services. He is particularly interested in interventional methods for chronic pain management and has attempted a number of conferences and workshops in this field.

Dr Gatt is the son of Dr and Mrs Maurice Gatt. He is married to Christine née Cuschieri and they have a son, Thomas.

Appreciation: Charles Depares

by Mr Anthony Mercieca of Sliema writes

My Dear Friend and brother-in-law, Charles, who passed away on January 13, was a colourful figure on the Maltese landscape for most of his life. Born to a family steeped in the theatre, he continued the tradition with his theatrical make-up interest and established what was probably Malta's first business dedicated almost entirely to perfumery and cosmetics.

His shop in Old Bakery Street, Valletta, saw a steady stream of men and women from all countries and walks of life, attracted by his charm and knowledge.

He was a well travelled man with a great love of Paris above all other cities. He had a lifelong love of books, with a large library reflecting his eclectic taste in literature. A connoisseur of music, his enthusiasm for Puccini and French music, particularly Edith Piaf's songs, was infectious.

His marriage to Josephine was a happy one, lasting over 50 years and he proved to be a wonderful, if unconventional father to his only son John. He was especially fond of his daughter-in-law Elizabeth, whom he looked upon as his own daughter. He was a much loved and admired grandfather to David and Jacqueline, whom he doted on.

Charles helped direct theatrical productions at St Aloysius' College and also numerous shows for charity, particularly in the Sixties. He was a frequent contributor to The Times of Malta, writing articles till a few years before his death.

In the last 15 years of his life, his health deteriorated, but he bore this with his characteristic, understated courage. In retirement, he launched a new career, selling books for the Salesian Brothers and even acting as president of the newly created School of Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy.

He will be remembered above all for his humour, his ready smile, his love of life, and his seemingly limitless repertoire of jokes.

His death, though not unexpected, came as a shock to all who knew and loved him.

The world will be a quieter and sadder place for his passing.

For your diary

Car boot sales in aid of the Vittoriosa Stars Football Club are being held every Sunday at the football ground, Vittoriosa (Il-Fortini) all day. Parking is not problem.

A bazaar in aid of the mission of St Jean Antide in Pakistan is being held at the St Jean Antide School, Gudja, from tomorrow to Friday, from 8.30 a.m. to noon and 3-5.30 p.m.

There will be plants, bric-a-brac, toys, clothes, household goods and much more.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, is organising a coffee morning/tombola on Thursday at 9.30 a.m. at the Best Western Les Lapins Hotel, Ta' Xbiex. Tickets at Lm1.20 may be obtained by phoning the centre on 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.

Ward u zghar members and their guests are going on a six-kilometre walk with members of the Maltese Archaeological Group on Sunday.

The group will meet near Zebbug parish church at 1.40 p.m. It will visit interesting sites like Ghar Hanzir and Il-Qabar tas-Sinjura. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

A card party in aid of the Girl Guides Association will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at the Imperial Hotel, Sliema, from 10 a.m. For booking, phone Mrs Pace on 2133-2502.

Caritas Co-operators invite you to join them for a day at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday, February 19.

Coffee will be served at 10 a.m. Mrs Magda Magri Naudi will give a talk on the use of essential oils at 10.45. Mass at noon will be followed by lunch at 1 p.m. Cards and other games may be played during the day.

For more information phone Marielouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Mary Darmanin Demajo (2131-3486), Josephine Farrugia (2132-0016) or Phyllis Ciappara (2134-2910).

The Park of Friendship is once again celebrating Founders' Day with a gala dinner at the Casino Maltese, Valletta, on Saturday, February 22 at 8 for 8.30 p.m. Tickets are at Lm12.50 and will include a welcome drink and canapés. The menu will feature a main course choice between fillet of beef, dentici fillets and chicken. Wine will be served courtesy of Marsovin Ltd. Seating will be at round tables of 10.

This event is being sponsored by the Casino Maltese, Island Caterers and Marsovin Ltd. Bookings are to be received and accepted by Monday, February 17. For more information, phone Roberta Borg on 2163-6526 or e-mail her at RobertaB@razzett.org or Patricia Jack on tel/fax: 2167-4681.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements February 10-16

Tomorrow
9.15 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco attend a Pontifical Mass on the occasion of the feast of St Paul at St Paul Shipwrecked Collegiate Church, Valletta.

Tuesday
9.30 a.m. The President pays an official visit to Pembroke.
4.15 p.m. The President receives Madame Noelle Lenoir, French Minister for Europe, at the Palace, Valletta.
6.30 The President attends concelebrated Mass on the occasion of World Day for the Sick at Christ the King parish church, Paola.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives Mr Michael C. Bonello, governor of the Central Bank of Malta, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA).
8 p.m. The President attends a reception hosted by Rear Admiral Roberto Patruno, director of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), at Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President receives Mr Alvaro de Vasconcelos, director and secretary general of EUROMESCO, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Mr Neven Mimica, Croatian Minister for European Integration.
Noon The President receives Dr Deborah Farrugia, secretary of the Commission for the Administration of Justice.
1 p.m. Mrs de Marco attends a luncheon hosted by the president and council members of the National Council of Women at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, St Julian's.
6.30 The President receives Mr Habib Ben Yahia, Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, at San Anton Palace, Attard.
8 The President hosts a reception in honour of the participants of the Wilton Park Conference at the Palace, Valletta.

Friday
9.45 a.m. The President receives Dott. Diego Cammarata, mayor of Palermo, accompanied by Mr Paul M. Cassar, mayor of Victoria, Gozo, and Dott. Alfredo Barbaro, honorary consul of Malta in Palermo, at the Palace, Valletta.
10.45 The President presides over the swearing-in ceremony of Dr Lawrence Quintano as magistrate at the Palace, Valletta.
11.30 The President receives the Medical Association of Malta and is presented with a copy of the publication Europe - Medicine and Law.
12.30 p.m. The President receives Dr Louis Deguara, Minister of Health.