APRIL 2005

FOUNDATION DAY CONCERT

The annual Foundation Day Concert on 5th March at The Lyceum
Hall went very well as far as production was concerned, although
it could have been much better attended. ALPS members should
understand that such activities are organised by the Council
of Administration to foster pride in the Association, pride
in our School and a greater sense of togetherness in a common
background. Of course it is never expected that all ALPS members
attend, because the school hall would not be big enough, but
this time things went almost to the other extreme. Let’s
all try that bit harder next time around, shall we?

The concert was a show of Semi-Classical Popular Music with
the participation of soprano Claire Caruana, mezzosoprano
Connie Frances Zerafa and tenor Andrew Sapiano with Yolanda
Micallef on the piano, as well as the Choir of the University
of the Third Age under the baton of Mro Joe Fenech. The occasion
finished off with a light reception in the school’s
foyer.

NICE WAS VERY NICE INDEED!

The group of 29 ALPS members who spent four wonderful days
in Nice and the Côte d’Azur in February will certainly
long remember their enjoyment of the itinerary put together
by Britannia Services Ltd. The ALPS group was led by Vice-President
and experienced tour leader Joe Fenech, and although BSL had
a whole planeload of tourists, it was indeed highly appreciated
that the ALPS group had its own coach: this made for several
new friendships and a great sense of camaraderie.

Besides Nice itself and its famous Carnival the group visited
Cannes, Monaco and Montecarlo, Grasse (famous for its perfumes),
the mountain-top medieval city of Entrevaux, the Alpine skiing
resort of Valberg, the medieval walled town of Antibes and
the most beautiful gem of them all, the hilltop medieval village
of Eze. The fact that Eze was the last stop on the group’s
way to the airport left them all wondering about how nice
it would be to go back there in winter, when it would probably
look like a snowclad crib!

This report is being written with the express aim of encouraging
more ALPS members to join such groups in future.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL LYCEUM BICYCLE MARATHON

The seventh edition of the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon, between
11th and 13th March, was so successful and entertaining that
it finished some seven hours later than its original planned
time! But the biggest success was the sum in excess of Lm8,000
– including a donation of Lm100 from ALPS – collected for
philanthropic purposes, with more donations still expected.
Well done all.
A highlight of the Marathon this year was the official unveiling
of a plaque in the school foyer marking the 50th anniversary
of the opening of the present school building. The plaque
was unveiled by Education Minister Louis Galea and Fifth Former
Jonathan Falzon, who both spoke at the occasion together with
Head Master Godwin Zammit.

SOCIO-CULTURAL ACTIVITY FOR APRIL

The socio-cultural activity for April will be a special tour
of Fort Mosta, a Maltese artefacts exhibition at Ir-Razzett
tal-Markiz, a visit to the Nicolo Isouard Band Club and luncheon
at Pjazza Café – all at Mosta – on Saturday 23rd April.

The (unusual) tour of Fort Mosta was only made possible by
ALPS member Brig. Claude Gaffiero, who sought special permission
from the Commander Armed Forces of Malta and will lead the
tour himself. The tour of the Nicolo Isouard Band Club will
also be a special occasion not easily made available.

Participants will park as close as possible to Fort Mosta
(see attached sketch) for the tour to start at 10 a.m. After
visiting the fort the group will drive to Ir-Razzett tal-Markiz
(follow-the-leader style), then walk to the band club and
finish up having lunch on the second floor of Pjazza Café,
with a grandstand view of Mosta Dome.

The menu will be a choice from Pasta Carbonara, Pasta Frutta
di Mare and Pasta alla Buscaiola, the latter with tomatoes,
ham, mushrooms and cream. There will also be an option of
vegetarian salad and a selection of desserts.

The all-inclusive price for the whole activity will be Lm3.50
per person, drinks not included. For planning purposes it
would be appreciated if bookings, accompanied by cheques and
preferably choice of food, are made with Secretary-General
Alex Borg (see masthead for details).

ANNUAL SPIRITUAL RETREAT

As already announced in February, the annual Spiritual Retreat
will be held at Manresa House on the outskirts of Victoria,
Gozo, between 20th and 22nd May. This year’s reflections
will be led by Prof. Stanley Fiorini and Manresa House Rector
Fr Paul Zammit SJ. The price for the whole weekend (dinner
Friday to lunch Sunday) will be Lm18 per person, or Lm9 for
one day (Saturday). Early bookings with Alex Borg will be
appreciated.

PLEASE HELP THE CHANTICLEER

The reverse of the attached sketch shows the advertising
rates for The Chanticleer, which we would dearly love to publish
this year. Unfortunately we can only make ends meet with advertising.
Most ALPS members are employees or employers themselves, so
please see what each and every one can do to buy advertising
space for one’s own business or convince the employer
to do it …