Oct 20 - Former Gib Bishop Heskett Hosts Gibraltar Day Church Service
A traditional feature of the annual Gibraltar Day in London Celebrations is the Sunday mass, held at Our Lady of Dolours Servite Church on Fulham Road. This year’s service was particularly special with former Bishop of Gibraltar, the Rt Rev. Ralph Heskett C.Ss.R now Bishop of Hallam, presiding over the service.
Speaking to those attending the mass, an audience composed of a varied selection of locals, Gibraltarian university students, and many friends of the Rock, the Bishop insisted that it was a particular delight for him to celebrate this mass, as he thought he would never again have the opportunity to do so.
The mass saw readings given by Deputy Mayor of Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, and two Gibraltarian students. The Mayoress of London’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Maighread Condon–Simmons, gave the second reading, having attended the service with her son and daughter-in-law. 
Present Gibraltarian dignitaries included Ministers Gilbert Licudi and Samantha Sacramento, the Government’s UK representative Albert Poggio and Opposition Leader Daniel Feetham. Friend of Gibraltar, MP Andrew McKinlay, also showed his support and attended the service.
The church shares a rich history with Gibraltarians, having served as place of worship and refuge for them that were evacuated to London in the Second World War. In 2006, a group travelled from Gibraltar to the church, to present them with a figure of ‘Our Lady of Europe’ that now takes pride of place at forefront of the church
Speaking at a reception held in the school hall next door, following the service, Minister Liduci touched upon Gibraltar’s affinity with Fulham. He noted that the church had acted as a place for evacuees to find friendship and comfort, solace and pastoral care.
