Jacque Talbot
THERE’S celebration, there’s pride, there’s noise and red, white and blue in every direction.
Subscribe to Olive Press TVShirts, banners, flags and t-shirts all show the colours of Gibraltar on their National Day.
In 1967, 99% of the population voted to remain a British territory in the sovereign referendum.
Time’s passed and today they rejoice at the decision to remain.
The population is proud of who they are and their history, and today is the perfect opportunity for those living on the Rock to show that.
One of the revellers out early to enjoy the celebrations was Maggie Langshaw, 67, who has been attending Gibraltar National Day since she was a child.
Gibraltar-born Maggie said: “I have been going all my life.
“We like to hear the politicians here coming out and saying what they think is going to happen here.”
Retired Maggie added that she’d be watching the celebrations from Casemates square all day.
“My cousin’s playing in the band tonight,” she said.
Joanne Andrea, 49, of Moorish Castle Estate, said of the festivities: “It’s the biggest day of our community. We celebrate together as a big family.
“Whether you’re Jewish, Muslim or Christian, it doesn’t matter. We all just very proud to be born here, to be Gibraltarian.”
Music booms at Casemates Square as performers entertain the crowd.
Drinks will flow later and by tomorrow shops will have sold out of paracetamol as the Rock’s inhabitants turn into Wednesday’s work day with sore heads. But it will be worth it.
More to follow…
