Projects: Preserving Gibraltar’s Heritage

This project saw the delivery of the immersive virtual tour of Gibraltar’s fascinating SOE Tunnels and funded critical restoration at Lord Airey’s Battery. We also introduced a Heritage Award Scheme that supports MSc research for students at Gibraltar University.

A commemorative stained-glass window was installed in Central Hall, and we also supported the unveiling of a Falklands 40^th Anniversary Plaque. Along with a vibrant Christmas card competition for local schools, we also progressed with our restoration work at Witham’s Cemetery.

Artefacts in King’s Chapel that were important to Gibraltar’s history got much-needed preservation work, and archival conservation projects were funded. We also sustained our commitments to a bursary and awards promoting studies into Gibraltar’s heritage.

This year, we invested £10,000 into ongoing restoration at Witham’s Cemetery, maintaining a vital heritage education initiative and Oral History documentation.

Detailed interpretation boards and commemorative plaques were installed in Trafalgar Cemetery, and we helped to begin digital mapping of Gibraltar’s military landscape. Restoration of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment’s ceremonial drum also commenced this year.

We constructed a bespoke display for the Westminster Rock model and awarded a heritage-focused grant to HMS Chiddingfold. There were also enhancements to the Oral History Project during this year.

The Oral History Project was introduced, capturing invaluable memories of life and history in Gibraltar from 1930 to 1970. The substantial renovation work at Main Guard was completed, too.

We supported the extensive refurbishment of the Main Guard and pledged conservation funds for historic regimental colours in King’s Chapel during the Society’s 25th anniversary.

We continued the active promotion of Gibraltar’s heritage through various community educational awards and public engagement activities.

The revitalisation of the two Great Siege murals was finished within the Convent courtyard, and we sponsored vibrant heritage-focused productions alongside renewed dockyard-themed art prizes.

The incredible Renowned Persons gallery at Gibraltar Museum was enriched with historical photographs, and we worked to enhance the visitor experience at the Old Well in Western Hangar with new seating and informative signage.

Advanced conservation efforts began at City Hall with additional funding secured from the Manifold Trust. We also planned a dedicated heritage garden with Stanley Smith Trust Resources.

We successfully raised £10,000 towards an Admiral Rooke statue and commemorated naval heritage through an elegant banquet hosted in HMS Rooke’s wardroom.

Deteriorated tiles at Trafalgar Cemetery were replaced, and we presented a replica of the 1805 Gibraltar Chronicle to the Royal Navy Museum. Essential fresco conservation work also took place at the Convent.

We hosted the successful Thomas Hayne’s Charts exhibition, raising significant funds for mural restoration. Lt. Henry Ince’s tombstone in Devon was also repaired, and precious prints pertaining to Gibraltar’s history were also secured for public viewing.

A poignant memorial marking the Bedenham explosion was erected, and work began on an intricate restoration of the Marshman siege murals in the Convent.

The historic Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour at City Hall were restored, and the Garrison Library Gardens were enhanced, too. A plaque backing Gibraltar’s UNESCO heritage aspirations was unveiled, celebrating the start of a new millennium.

We continued our work maintaining Gibraltar’s heritage and history through compelling exhibitions, informative lectures, and engaging community activities.

We commissioned and donated a striking two-tonne limestone carving representing the iconic Rock to the Royal Marines Museum.

Heritage prizes in local schools and steady funding for talks, walks, and research helped the Society to continue shining a light on Gibraltar’s heritage.

We were delighted to secure significant funding of £50,000 to meticulously restore the façade of City Hall and create an enduring legacy through the limited-edition publication The Governer’s Cat, funding the Sir William Jackson Heritage Prize.

This was the inaugural year for the Gibraltar Heritage Journal, and we completed initial conservation at Parson’s Lodge and initiated the popular painting competition to engage local communities.

The Society Funded the vital restoration of John Singleton Copley’s historic siege painting, now proudly displayed in the Gibraltar Museum

We launched an ambitious £100,000 appeal to save Gibraltar’s treasured Garrison Library and identified critical sites needing immediate conservation, including Northern Defences and Parson’s Lodge.