Heard in the Hive

To Mark the second anniversary of the inauguration of the Millennium Chapel in Paceville, and to raise funds for the building of the new WOW - Wishing Others Well - centre, a dinner was recently organised in the ballroom of the Westin Dragonara Resort.

The event was attended by 230 supporters of the Millennium Chapel project and was addressed by Frank Salt, chairman of the fund-raising committee.

Christine Zarb and Maria Abela, students of Antoinette Miggiani, who were and accompanied by Elaine Cordina, sang a purposely arranged repertoire during the dinner.

Pianist Charles William Camilleri entertained the guests for the rest of the evening.

Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, OSA, founder and director of the Millen-nium Chapel, addressed and thanked the guests for their support.

The management of the Westin Dragonara Resort prepared a sumptuous meal and the evening was a great success.

People

Annemarie Dimech, B.Psy (Hons), M.Sc Health Psy., was recently awarded an M.Sc. in Health Psychology by the University of Surrey, UK, following a Chevening Scholarship awarded to her by the British High Commission.

Ms Dimech's thesis, "The Effects of Sleep Disturbance on Affect and Anger Expression", involved a longitudinal study observing the effects of sleep difficulties and stress on mood.

Ms Dimech is currently working as executive manager at the Equal Partners Foundation.

St Andrew's Night

The St Andrew Society (Malta) held its annual St Andrew's Day celebration in the Ballroom of Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel.

Warrant Officer Mario Farrugia got the evening under way by piping in the top table which comprised society president Helen MacLachlan and her husband Duncan, the British High Commissioner and Mrs Vincent Fean, the Australian High Commissioner and Mrs Iain Dickie and society patron Professor J.J. Cremona.

Mrs MacLachlan said a few words of welcome, followed by grace which was given by Rev. David Morris.

A sumptuous dinner was then provided which included the Great Chieftain ably piped in by WO Farrugia, the Quaich and Ballantines Scotch whisky, ceremonially carried in by Mr John Kirkpatrick.

The address to the haggis was given in fine fashion by Mr Dickie, following a family tradition. His father had addressed it in his turn.

The wines for the evening were provided by E. Delicata and the Ballantine's whisky was given courtesy of Wands Ltd.

After-dinner toasts to President Guido de Marco and to the Queen were given by Mr Fean and Professor Cremona respectively.

A toast to Scotland, also given by Mr Fean, was innovative in that it took the form of a message to members of the society, indeed to all Scots, from the Rt Hon. Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, and the Rt Hon. Helan Liddell, Secretary of State for Scotland.

The message outlined Scotland's proud history, its traditions and customs and looked positively to the future of Scotland and its role within an influential and stable United Kingdom.

David Smith then welcomed the guests in a short but very warm address and Rev. Morris replied in kind.

Mrs MacLachlan then gave a vote of thanks to all those who had helped to make the evening a success, including the Phoenicia, E. Delicata, Wands Ltd, also for the Drambuie which accompanied the dessert, and the speakers.

The evening was then given over to dancing, including a number of pieces demonstrated by the Scottish Country Dance Group.

Maltese Diabetes Association annual fund-raising dinner

The Maltese Diabetes Association recently organised its annual fund-raising dinner at Villa Arrigo, San Pawl tat-Targa. The evening was attended by over 200 guests. Catering was provided by Osborne Caterers. Wine flowed courtesy of Emm. Delicata & Sons Ltd, together with mineral water which was provided courtesy of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc and Anthony Caruana & Sons Ltd.

Welcome drinks and liqueurs were provided by Anthony Caruana & Sons Ltd. Petit fours were courtesy of Red October Ltd.

Joanna Aquilina and her band entertained guests with classical music.

Guests were addressed by Anna Zammit Mckeon, president of the association, who spoke mainly of the association's activities, particularly the events to mark World Diabetes Day.

In a brief address, Chris J. Delicata, organising committee chairman, thanked all sponsors for their support to make the event a success.

After dinner, a raffle was organised and several gifts were distributed courtesy of Air Malta, Kenneth Zammit Tabona, P. Cutajar Ltd, Go Mobile, Jos. Debono Jewellers, Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, Le Meridien Phoenicia, Barcelo Riviera Resort & Spa, Sol Sunrest, L-Imgarr Hotel, San Lawrenz Holiday Resort, Barracuda Restaurant, Victor Azzopardi Silverware, and Dr Alexander Cachia Zammit.

Spoilt for choice

The now traditional end-of-year Britannia Tours gala dinner, which took place at the Hilton Malta Portomaso Suite last month, brought together all those clients who entrusted Britannia Tours with their holiday arrangements for the year.

Enzo Gusman entertained the guests with his array of popular songs, while the guests were spoilt for choice with the food provided by the Portomaso cuisine and the excellent atmosphere.

Noel Farrugia, chief executive director of Britannia Tours, thanked all those present for their never ending support towards the company.

He remarked that next year, a wider range of tours were being planned to accommodate the various requests of clients. Obviously included in this colourful brochure will also be the Formula 1 Grand Prix trips, which have become synonymous with Britannia Tours.

Farewell dinner in honour of outgoing Malta Red Cross Society president

The Victoria in Sliema was recently the venue for a farewell dinner organised by the Malta Red Cross Society in honour of outgoing president, Professor Frederick Fenech and senior vice-president Alfred Grixti.

Also present was Dr George J. Hyzler and some foreign guests who included Mrs R. Canisius, president of the Cologne Red Cross and deputy mayor of the city, Monika Klepper, also from the German Red Cross, and a number of Italian Red Cross delegates.

Professor Lino Cutajar, the new president of the Malta Red Cross, welcomed the guests. He outlined the history of the Malta Red Cross which is now in its 12th year. He explained how the initial drive to set up the local Red Cross society came from Dr Hyzler, then Parliamentary Secretary for Health, in 1991.

Professor Fenech became the first president of the society and was the driving force for the further development of the Malta Red Cross to its present state.

In this venture he had the support of the national board and particularly that of Mr Grixti, who over the past ten years has occupied various positions within the board.

Professor Cutajar noted with satisfaction that the Malta Red cross has now inserted itself in the local scene as a respected provider of humanitarian support in the form of life-saving courses, land and sea rescue activities as well as in its involvement in human rights and international humanitarian law issues.

These last few months the Malta Red Cross has become very deeply involved in the local refugee problem.

In recognition of their sterling work and commitment to the Malta Red Cross, Professor Cutajar, on behalf of the national board of the Malta Red Cross, conferred on Professor Fenech and Mr Grixti the title of honorary life president and senior vice-president respectively.

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 no problem.

Yana (You Are Not Alone) is meeting at Henry J. Bean's on Friday from 9 p.m.

Ward u Zghar is going on a picnic to Dwejra on Sunday. The group is meeting near Saqqajja swings at 10.30 a.m.

A discussion with Notary Dr Etienne Calleja will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

A pizza and pasta night at La Cave, Valletta, is being organised on Saturday. The group will be meeting at 7.45 p.m. near Wembley Stores in Valletta.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held on Wednesday from 10 a.m. at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

A card party in aid of the Girl Guides Association will be held at the Imperial Hotel on Wednesday, January 15, at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Laura Pace on 9948-9797.

President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - January 6-11

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President receives Dr Michael Bartolo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations in Geneva, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President is interviewed by Saviour Balzan for the TVM programme Reporter.
Noon The President receives Dr Deborah Farrugia, secretary of the Commission for the Administration of Justice.
4 p.m. The President is interviewed by Mr Godfrey Grima on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority at San Anton Palace.
6 The President attends an evening organised by the Society of Floriana Senior Citizens on the occasion of its 20th anniversary in Floriana.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President receives a group of Maltese-Australians at the Palace, Valletta.
10.45 The President receives Professor Salvino Busuttil, Ambassador of Malta in Paris.
11.30 The President receives Koichiro Matsura, director-general of UNESCO.
12.30 p.m. The President hosts New Year's drinks for members of the Press.
7 The President and Mrs de Marco host activities to celebrate the Russian Christmas, organised by the Embassy of the Russian Federation and the Russian Cultural Centre at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives Mr Choi In Sop, Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
12.30 p.m. The President addresses Maltese ambassadors on the occasion of the 10th ambassadors' meeting.

Thursday
11 a.m. The President is presented with a copy of the publication, Keepers of the Kingdom, by Chev. Dr Jaime H. Cremona at the Palace, Valletta.
1.15 for 1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host a luncheon in honour of Maltese ambassadors accredited abroad at San Anton Palace.
6 p.m. The President receives Mrs Eniko Gyori, Ambassador of Hungary, on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
8 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a reception hosted by Baron Salvino Testaferrata Moroni Viani in honour of Mrs Maria Alessandra Albertini, Ambassador of San Marino, at Palazzo Testaferrata, Paola.

Friday
9 a.m. The President receives the Prime Minister at the Palace, Valletta.
10 The President addresses foreign ambassadors accredited to Malta during the official New Year's greetings ceremony for the Diplomatic Corps.
5.30 p.m. The President receives Rev. Ian White, president of the Methodist Conference of the United Kingdom, accompanied by Rev. David Morris of St Andrew's Scots Church.
6.30 The President delivers the keynote speech at the NSTF-Mini European Assembly entitled Illegal Immigration - should Europe do more? at the Foundation for International Studies, Valletta.

Saturday
7 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco attend a concert by the National Orchestra organised by the Corinthia Group on the occasion of their 40th anniversary at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.