Aug 22 - BBC Broadcast Live From The Top Of The Rock

Written by YGTV Team on 22 August 2016.

On Saturday, much of BBC's 'Today' programme was broadcast 'live' from the Mons Calpe Suite at the top of the Rock. 'Today' is BBC Radio 4's flagship News and Current Affairs programme and is essential listening for most British politicians and serious journalists.

The programme was presented by Matthew Price with the backstage help of Alice, the producer, and John, an engineer who linked the whole programme together by means of the Wi-Fi signal in the Mons Calpe Suite. MH Bland had arranged for the Cable Car to open especially early in order to get equipment and guest speakers in place ready for the programme to start to broadcast live at 8 o'clock on the dot (Gibraltar time).

The main subject under discussion was Brexit and its impact on Gibraltar. First to be interviewed was Ed Macquisten of the Chamber of Commerce who was followed by an on-air discussion with Gemma Vasquez (who had led the Remain campaign) and Tarik El-Yabani (who voted to Leave).

Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, arrived for his interview dressed in his sports kit, having walked to the top of the Rock from his home in the South District, a fact that Matthew Price was quick to mention on air during the Chief Minister’s interview.

The various interviews were interspersed with several News bulletins from London and with the programme's other regular features such the weather forecasts, sports reports and Thought for the Day.

The final conversation was with Tito Vallejo Smith. Dressed in his full General Eliott uniform, Tito explained the background to several Llanito expressions.

Between interviews, Mathew Price frequently described the fantastic views from the top of the Rock and the antics of its 'famous Barbary monkeys.'

Saturday's programme gave excellent publicity for some of the Rock's tourist attractions. The programme also provided a platform from which to explain the role that Gibraltar might play in a post-Brexit Europe and it stimulated follow-up articles in several national UK newspapers.