Local traditions and culture in Gibraltar

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Gibraltar national day is the 10th of September, day which in 1967 a referendum was held. On the 10th September 1967 two options was put to the people of Gibraltar ~

(a) To pass under Spanish sovereignty in accordance with the terms proposed by the Spanish Government to Her Majesty's Government on 18 May 1966; or

(b) Voluntarily retain their link with Britain, with democratic local institutions and with Britain retaining its present responsibilities.

The turnout was of 95.8%, 12,237 cast their vote, of which 12,138 voted for Britain and only 44 voted for Spain, with 55 spoiled ballot papers.

Every 10th September Gibraltarians dress up in red and white symbolising the colours of the Gibraltar flag. Celebrations start at Casemates Square with the release of 30,000 red and white balloons, 30,000 balloons symbolising the population of Gibraltar which is 30,000. Later on the day other activities are carried out ending the day with a rock concert and a fireworks display.

This statue, which can be found along main street, bears the following inscription:

Presented to the people of Gibraltar by the Corps of Royal Engineers to commemorate the continuous service given by the corps on the Rock of Gibrlatar from 1704, and the formation here in 1772 of the first Body of Sodiers of the Corps, then known as the Company of Soldier Artificers.
(26 March 1994).

These corps, very important during the siege of Gibraltar, were responsible for destroying the Spanish artillery and munitions.

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During any large kind of event that affects Gibraltarians in any way, you can be sure that there will be a gathering down at Casemates Square! The cause of such a large crowd on this particular day...the World Cup of course!!! England v Portugal...we won't go into the details! I managed to get a table and chair at The Tunnel as I knew the staff working that day, so we had a perfect view of the big screen that had been set up during the duration of the World Cup. It was a great atmosphere and reminded me very much of Gibraltar National Day. So when in doubt of where to meet people, head down to the Square!

That the Rock has featured in some Bond films? Apparently the rock is seen in a scene before the credits in the film 'Living Daylights' starring Timothy Dalton. Its when he tries to escape from an airborne Land Rover by parachute! This part of the scene was film on the Rock, but the second part where it explodes was actually filmed in Eastbourne in the UK.
Also in 'You Only Live Twice' again with Timothy Dalton, he is being buried at sea which is supposed to be in Hong Kong, but this again is in Gibraltar.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono did it here in 1969. Sean Connery did it here twice, in 1962 and in 1975. What you are asking did they do???? Well the answer is got married! Also Prince Charles and Princess Diana started their honeymoon here in 1981. (but dont let that put you off).
Apparently its a place where people want to get married. There are not really any restrictions.
All you need is original birth certificates, passports and if you have been divorced a copy of your decree absolute. And only 24 hours notice is needed.
You can get married at the Registry office or the Botanical Gardens, or even in fact some of the hotels.
You can't obviously just turn up the day before and expect to get married the next day as they could be booked up, you need to make the arrangements beforehand.
The Registry Office is at Joshua Hassan House, Secretary's Lane, which is around the corner from the Tourist Information, Duke of Kent House on Cathedral Square.
The Registry Office doesnt supply witnesses either so you have to take your own or perhaps ask someone you meet there if they will stand for you.
A colleague of mine from work got married here this week!

The official flag of Gibraltar is the Union Jack – however on the 8th November 1982 a banner which shows the arms of the colony was introduced. This flag can be seen almost everywhere today, and at times in combination with the Union Jack and the EU Flag.

The inhabitants of Gibraltar are very patriotic as one can see on the decoration of the building on this picture. Their pride of the achievements of the “Rock” and the alliance to Britain are as strong as the Rock itself. Displays of the Union Jack or the Gibraltar Flag are evident everywhere.

I'm not sure you will find too many of these walking along the streets of Gibraltar, and you're much more likely to find them in London, or the whole of Britain actually! This is of course where they originated from! They'll usually be called 'Sharon, Tracey, Courtney, Derek, Dave, Jason, Gary' and so on.......

If you understand Britain at all and are interested to see what this 'Chav culture' is all about, you really must go to the webpage Ive put at the bottom, it'll have you in stitches! But if you dont understand British culture, you may not really understand it, which is a pity, as its truely wonderful and awful simultaneously!

I am going to add more to this on my London page as it is there that you will truely find the meaning of being a 'chav'! Just to help you understand them a bit more and work out if you yourself are one of them, theyre the kind of people who dress up in all the fake designer gear, mainly Burberry outfits and who can be spotted a mile away!