Gibraltar 2
#1186
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 284
Re: Gibraltar 2
I'm getting a bit fed up with this. Whether you think it's a colony or not is neither here nor there since you are not the ICJ. I suggest you brush up on your history before you carry on with you ridiculous opinions. NI is populated mainly by Irish people, although a large number of Scots migrated there a couple of centuries ago. NI is part of the British Isles and could never have been considered a colony, despite the fact that the Republic of Ireland achieved independence it was a result of self determination and not decolonisation since it was never a colony. Neither is NI.
Gibraltar was ceded to England by the treaty of Utrecht at which time it became a British possession and was garrisoned with British troops. As it was a safe haven for many peoples from all over the Mediterranean area including Spain it soon became populated by a multicultural and multiracial community. At no time was it "colonised" as you put it (note it's colonised with an s not a z)
I am not going to continue banging my head against a wall trying to educate an ignoramus so you can have the last word!
Gibraltar was ceded to England by the treaty of Utrecht at which time it became a British possession and was garrisoned with British troops. As it was a safe haven for many peoples from all over the Mediterranean area including Spain it soon became populated by a multicultural and multiracial community. At no time was it "colonised" as you put it (note it's colonised with an s not a z)
I am not going to continue banging my head against a wall trying to educate an ignoramus so you can have the last word!
So just because NI is part of the British Isles it was never a colony? Are you for real?
Cromwell was only handing out sweets was he? As it happens my family is descended from the new model army.
NI is populated also by people who would consider themselves British only and wouldn’t have anything to do with being Irish.
Are you saying the Irish war of independence was only a bit of a laugh then while they were waiting for self determination and Northern Ireland was left there for the laugh too after 1922.
The troubles were just the result of those uppidy Paddys not being grateful enough? The British army were on the streets just for the laugh too...
Ok, call NI a country/statelet/province/compete **** up.
I’ll have to guess that the vast majority of people in Gibraltar would consider themselves British. Ok Gibraltar wasn’t colonised as Ireland was but I still see it as a colony. I’m wrong. I don’t care if it offends you. Sorry.
Last edited by criodain; Feb 13th 2019 at 11:10 pm.
#1187
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,319
Re: Gibraltar 2
If we take the following as a definition of colony, it can be argued that Gibraltar was a colony, but not necessarily a British one.
Colony
Gibraltar as a colony
British Empire - Seizing the colony
Whether the locals agree or not, it was seen as a colony when Britain took it.
Colony
5. a number of people coming from the same country, or speaking the same language, residing in a foreign country or city, or a particular section of it; enclave:
British Empire - Seizing the colony
Whether the locals agree or not, it was seen as a colony when Britain took it.
#1188
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,998
Re: Gibraltar 2
Oh come on, Mike. "Colony" is just a word! Writing from a British Overseas Territory (a BOT,, no less!), I - like most of us here - casually refer to our Islands as a colony. We also speak of "gringo colonies" of English-speaking retirement communities in Mexico and other Latin American countries. When speaking of youngsters from the British Commonwealth and the USA living in London, people often refer to them as "colonials". We have a colony of fire-ants near our garbage bins... they're not necessarily a colony of any other group. It's just a word. Surely any resident of Gibraltar who resents being categorised (or categorized, indeed) as a colonial is being unnecessarily sensitive, and pedantic. How do the citizens of the Channel Islands react to their respective Islands being called "colonies"? I don't know, but I would hope they take it in a spirit of charity. Why wouldn't they?
"Province" is also mis-used. Although it's perfectly reasonable to refer to Britain (oops, the United Kingdom, I mean!) as a province of the EU, there are probably some who would object to that. I guess...!
"Province" is also mis-used. Although it's perfectly reasonable to refer to Britain (oops, the United Kingdom, I mean!) as a province of the EU, there are probably some who would object to that. I guess...!
#1189
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 284
Re: Gibraltar 2
I've dragged the thread off topic. Yup, colony is just a word. That's how I see Gib and NI. I have no desire as such to see it returned to Spain. I think the Spanish right wing are provoking provoking all the time in any case, using loaded language (much like the Brexiteers).
#1190
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 396
Re: Gibraltar 2
Oh come on, Mike. "Colony" is just a word! Writing from a British Overseas Territory (a BOT,, no less!), I - like most of us here - casually refer to our Islands as a colony. We also speak of "gringo colonies" of English-speaking retirement communities in Mexico and other Latin American countries. When speaking of youngsters from the British Commonwealth and the USA living in London, people often refer to them as "colonials". We have a colony of fire-ants near our garbage bins... they're not necessarily a colony of any other group. It's just a word. Surely any resident of Gibraltar who resents being categorised (or categorized, indeed) as a colonial is being unnecessarily sensitive, and pedantic. How do the citizens of the Channel Islands react to their respective Islands being called "colonies"? I don't know, but I would hope they take it in a spirit of charity. Why wouldn't they?
"Province" is also mis-used. Although it's perfectly reasonable to refer to Britain (oops, the United Kingdom, I mean!) as a province of the EU, there are probably some who would object to that. I guess...!
"Province" is also mis-used. Although it's perfectly reasonable to refer to Britain (oops, the United Kingdom, I mean!) as a province of the EU, there are probably some who would object to that. I guess...!
#1191
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Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,998
Re: Gibraltar 2
I think you are missing the point here. The locals may be more relaxed about what they are called if it did not have political implications. Spanish insistence on the status of Gibraltar as a colony is an attempt to bring the subject back up at the United nations (specifically the Special Committee on Decolonization) which oversees the path to independence of former colonies and of course in the case of Gibraltar there is no path to independence without being given to Spain whose constitution does not permit independence to any region (hence why 10 years later they still do not recognise Kosovan independence from Serbia).
#1192
Re: Gibraltar 2
Wow! An actual discussion on this thread. It makes a change from the endless boring news reports quoted from the Gibraltar press.
Keep it up guys, I’m enjoying it!
Pity that our only Gibraltar resident, so far is not getting involved.
Keep it up guys, I’m enjoying it!
Pity that our only Gibraltar resident, so far is not getting involved.
Last edited by Fred James; Feb 15th 2019 at 9:17 pm.
#1193
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 878
Re: Gibraltar 2
Well said Fred, you can read the Gib.newspaper if you are so inclined.To be a little bit naughty...I go to Gib.sometimes from southern Spain as I have a bank account there & like to keep up to date & it is a little break also.Why,you may ask,have I a bank balance there?That's because the British Govn.don't allow me one in UK,so instead of adding to the British economy I help Gibraltar instead which to my elderly feeble mind doesn't make sense.Whatever you want to call that big lump of rock I personally think our good old Winston C.has a lot to answer for.Those blinkin' apes are absolutely out of control making some areas "no-go livable places"& since they are protected you can't even defend your property.I gave up wanting to buy one of the properties which were being renovated into apartments from previous military units.
#1195
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,998
Re: Gibraltar 2
Well said Fred, you can read the Gib.newspaper if you are so inclined.To be a little bit naughty...I go to Gib.sometimes from southern Spain as I have a bank account there & like to keep up to date & it is a little break also.Why,you may ask,have I a bank balance there?That's because the British Govn.don't allow me one in UK,so instead of adding to the British economy I help Gibraltar instead which to my elderly feeble mind doesn't make sense.
When Barclays made me move my bank account out of England 20 or 30 years ago, because I wasn't a resident there (bastards!), I didn't even think to move my account to Gib. I wish I had; instead, I shifted it to the Isle of Man, and the buggers kicked me out of there too, some years later. I have bad-mouthed Barclays ever since!
#1196
Re: Gibraltar 2
You mention graveyards in Gib. I was very impressed with the one that contains the remains of many British sailors who died in the battle of Trafalgar. Many visitors fail to see that as it is tucked away but well worth a visit.
I’ve been going there on and off for about 25 years. We spent a few years sailing around the Med and Gib was always an interesting place to refuel and take on real duty free goods and spend a few days exploring.
Now we live permanently in Spain we rarely go. The attractions of Morrisons for English goods has waned now that Iceland have a shop in Fuengirola.
I’ve been going there on and off for about 25 years. We spent a few years sailing around the Med and Gib was always an interesting place to refuel and take on real duty free goods and spend a few days exploring.
Now we live permanently in Spain we rarely go. The attractions of Morrisons for English goods has waned now that Iceland have a shop in Fuengirola.
#1197
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 396
Re: Gibraltar 2
When Barclays made me move my bank account out of England 20 or 30 years ago, because I wasn't a resident there (bastards!), I didn't even think to move my account to Gib. I wish I had; instead, I shifted it to the Isle of Man, and the buggers kicked me out of there too, some years later. I have bad-mouthed Barclays ever since!
#1198
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 396
Re: Gibraltar 2
You mention graveyards in Gib. I was very impressed with the one that contains the remains of many British sailors who died in the battle of Trafalgar. Many visitors fail to see that as it is tucked away but well worth a visit.
I’ve been going there on and off for about 25 years. We spent a few years sailing around the Med and Gib was always an interesting place to refuel and take on real duty free goods and spend a few days exploring.
Now we live permanently in Spain we rarely go. The attractions of Morrisons for English goods has waned now that Iceland have a shop in Fuengirola.
I’ve been going there on and off for about 25 years. We spent a few years sailing around the Med and Gib was always an interesting place to refuel and take on real duty free goods and spend a few days exploring.
Now we live permanently in Spain we rarely go. The attractions of Morrisons for English goods has waned now that Iceland have a shop in Fuengirola.
#1199
Re: Gibraltar 2
Those blinkin' apes are absolutely out of control making some areas "no-go livable places"& since they are protected you can't even defend your property.I gave up wanting to buy one of the properties which were being renovated into apartments from previous military units.
#1200
Re: Gibraltar 2
Other cemeteries include
North Front 1756 and still in use today , vey crowded, We have only recently aquired a crematorium.
:
Jews Gate 1765 - 1850 can be seen on a trip up the rock
Witham's Cemetery 1765 - 1850 named after Captain Witham from the 18th century who was involved in a number of sieges.View from my flat My other view is over the Bay of Gibraltar to Spain, Ceuta and Tangier.
View from my flat