Malta 2022

We are very excited to notify you all that a Malta Reunion is planned and the dates are between the 14th and 28th April, 2022.

You may be aware that, once again, our visit clashes with Easter – the 15th is Good Friday and of course 17th Easter Sunday and 18th Easter Monday. Easter is a hallowed time in Malta so many places will be closed on the Friday and possibly also on the Monday. However, there will probably be processions and celebrations that you can attend.

IMPORTANT – Please, if you are thinking that you might be interested in coming to the reunion, or if you definitely know that you are, would you be kind enough to email me so that I can keep track of numbers for the logistics of arranging coaches and costings and notifying our hosts, info@georgecrossisland.org.uk please. If email is not convenient for you please telephone the Chairman, 01202 779321 and he will pass on your details to me. Once I have even provisional numbers I can work out transport costs

This year we are using the Waterfront Hotel in Sliema as our HQ, If you prefer to stay elsewhere, let me know and I will see about organising pick ups from your locations for the events. The Waterfront is close to the Valletta ferries, busses, shops and restaurants. Their web site is: www.waterfronthotelmalta.com and their phone number is 00 356 2090 6899. The address is The Strand, Sliema, GZR 1028,

I now have a programme prepared. The programme is reduced in order to try and keep to outdoor ceremonies, also the dates of the individual ceremonies may have to be moved around. The traditional Siege Bell ceremony is not taking place at the Siege Bell due to it still undergoing restoration and is currently unsafe. However, Malta Branch Chairman, Peter Robinson, is planning to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta and to honour all those who suffered during the Siege, including the veterans of the Malta Convoys. So this year the ceremony with be on the morning of the 18th April at the Saluting Battery. There will also be the traditional St. George's Day dinner which Peter and his wife Mary are organising. Booking forms for all the events will be sent to those who have either emailed or telephoned to say they are interested in attending the reunion.

The HMS Urge group, along with Heritage Malta and the University of Malta have arranged a church service on the 24th and a commemorative ceremony on the 27th to which all GCIA members are invited. I will provide you with details once I receive them. Availability is subject to numbers attending from the HMS Urge group, who will receive priority.

Anzac day on the 25th is also a date that has yet to be confirmed as to whether a commemorative event will be held. This is organised by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions and we will be kept informed if this is to go ahead.

So still a bit of uncertainty, but that is not going to stop us planning and getting ourselves organised for the reunion. The provisional programme is:

Many thanks for supporting us and I do hope we get to see many of you in Malta in 2022

Very best wishes

Pat Scott (National Secretary)