"I visited Gibraltar in early March in my capacity as Chairman of the Friends, for the opening of the restored Council Chamber and Mayor's Parlour of City Hall. I was extremely well looked after by the Trust, and was given every opportunity to visit Heritage sites and to discuss their restoration and preservation. There has recently been some good progress, helped by a significant increase in Government involvement and financial assistance. Details of the visit are probably best given on a site by site basis.

CITY HALL: The completed restoration of the Council Chamber and Mayor's Parlour is excellent and was much admired at the official opening. The paintings in the former have been beautifully and painstakingly reworked and in the latter, where the remains were not clearly identifiable, replaced by excellent pictures of Gibraltar flora. This has been a well-executed project, with funds from the Government, the Trust and the Friends. There is an outline plan to convert the former Larios dining-room into a Larios Museum, but the room is at present partioned and used by a Government Department and it may prove impossible for it to be released, certainly in the short term.

MOORISH CASTLE: The contract for the feasibility study should be placed shortly, financed by the Government. Costs will be very high and complete restoration will necessitate the relocation of the prison, clearly not an easy matter. However, much of the early work can be done beforehand. Initially there is an urgent need for stabilisation work and for the removal of vegetation from the structure of the buildings. Scaffolding is in place in one area for some of this work to be done, funded by the Government, but it has not so far been possible to provide enough to meet the cost of the work in that area. When the feasibility study is complete it seems likely that a fund-raising committee with wide and probably international representation will be necessary to seek to raise the very large sums of money which will be required. However Moorish Castle is the most striking and arguably the most important heritage site in Gibraltar, and deserves every effort.

THEATRE ROYAL: Consideration is being given to restoration of the Theatre to make it usable as a theatre, cinema and possibly for conferences. In view of the rather poor condition of the building, this is likely to be another expensive project: crucial to it will be the business plan to ensure its use and upkeep after restoration.

GUARD HOUSE: Work is well in hand to restore this building for use as the Trust's office, and is making good progress. It is being funded by the Government, and completion is hoped for later this year.

CASEMATES: Also well in hand and funded by the Government. The plan is for the Museum to occupy the upper floor, and this will be ideal. The remaining space is allocated for commercial use, divided into a number of kiosks for tourist shops, fast food outlets and the like. Part of the Moorish 'shipyard' is well displayed at the edge of the Square outside and the Waterport gates show up well, two originals and two replicas.

CITY WALLS: The aim of clearing the vicinity of the City walls is being kept well in mind and the Government is generally supportive, although, naturally, from time to time other priorities must prevail. A decision is currently awaited on the possible demolition of King's Bastion power station, a particularly prominent example of the problem. The Trust is thinking ahead with ideas to promote plans for clearing the area of Grand Battery and the moat in front of it.

PARSONS LODGE: At present closed while the 'Caretaker' is away. There has been a little vandalism, but on the whole it seemed to be in a good state. Easier access is badly needed, especially for tourist buses and taxis, as is some refreshment outlet on site.

TRAFALGAR CEMETERY: Apparently there has been some vandalism here, too, although it was not visible to me from outside. On the whole it looked good. The Government is to fund the provision of railings around it.

THE CONVENT: Lady Luce has overseen considerable redecoration of various parts of the Convent, which is now in a much improved condition. It is also good that improvements in the security state have allowed greater to access to the Convent to parties of Gibraltarians. The Marsham Great Siege murals in the Convent Courtyard are beginning to crumble away and need urgent attention. Detailed photographs have been taken and the cost of restoration is being assessed.

GENERAL JACKSON MEMORIAL PLAQUE: Plans for the erection of a plaque to commemorate the contribution made by General Jackson to the preservation of Gibraltar's heritage are well in hand.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE: The Government and the Trust are well seized with the importance of achieving this status and are working towards it. The Minister for Heritage, Keith Azopardi, is enthusiastic about this and about heritage matters in general, and I enjoyed brief chat with him in the City Hall.