Nov 21 - Gibraltar Postage Stamps Celebrate Opening Of New Calpe House In London
The new premises for Calpe House in London, commonly known as a home-away-from-home, were formally opened earlier this year at Norfolk Square.
The new premises are already providing accommodation for the many Gibraltarian patients undergoing treatment in the United Kingdom. This building replaced its familiar predecessor at Princes Square which has served Gibraltar's patients well for over 30 years.
To celebrate the opening of the new Calpe House, a collector stamp sheet of two stamps has been released with 50 pence of the sale of each stamp sheet donated to the 'The Friends of Calpe House Charity'.
The illustrations featured on the stamps have been specifically executed by local artist Leslie Gaduzo who has once again, say the charity, produced a “spectacular job”. The stamps feature the new Calpe House building as well as the Palace of Westminster .
The new premises are comprised of three conjoined buildings offering 64 beds within 27 double rooms and 10 single rooms. Calpe House at Prince's Square,was the brainchild of the late Charles Tilbury and Peter Caetano 30 years ago. The pair, alongside the Minister for Economic Development and Patron of the Calpe House, Sir Joe Bossano have been recognised for their efforts, with the three wings of the newly-refurbished building named after Mr Tilbury,Sir Joe and Mr Caetano.
30 years since the first Calpe House, Gibraltarians cannot even imagine of a Gibraltar without Calpe House and these new stamps will now be proudly added to the private stamp collections of philatelists worldwide.
The Calpe House Charitable Trust Chairman Mr Albert Poggio congratulated the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau and all those involved In the production of this new set of Gibraltar stamps. He said he was overwhelmed by how the people of Gibraltar have come together in supporting the Charity and how pleased he is that the new Calpe House is now a reality serving so many Gibraltarians and their families. With Gibraltarians famed for their charitable donations, he is confident that the new Calpe House will continue to provide a home from home for patients in London for many more years to come.
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