BIRZEBBUGA PRETTY BAY - by Bill of Pretty Bay: June 2007

VIVA SAN PIETRU

BIRZEBBUGA PEOPLE

This photo was taken by reporter of The Times of Malta on Monday 10th Sept. 1951. The day I left Birzebbuga for Melbourne Australia on the English liner SS Asturias.

Five men from Birzebbuga migrated to Australia on that day.

1. Myself. William J. Coxhead. - Melbourne

2. My brother Johnny Coxhead who played football with St Peters of Birzebbuga 1953, 3rd Div Champions. Migrated to Aust 1954.

3. My father. William N. Coxhead. He was in charge of the Power Station at R.N. base Kalafrana (Passed away 1953. RIP)

4. Joseph / Zeppi Cutajar of Birzebbuga, nickname ' ta - Fidiel '. Migrated to Melbourne but returned to Malta a few years later. (RIP)

5. Frankie Borg Falzon of Birzebbuga. Also played football with St Peters of Birzebbuga 1953, 3rd Div Champions. (RIP)

6. Tony Camilleri of St Georges Bay / Birzebbuga. Migrated to Melbourne. Lived and passed away in NSW Australia.(RIP)

7. Tony Camilleri's friend from Birzebbuga.

8. Mikiel Farrugia of Birzebbuga. Migrated to Melbourne. Passed away in Melbourne (RIP)

9. A Maltese migrant to Australia. No name

10 Lolly Savona. Migrated to Melbourne. Lolly's parents operated the Belle Isle Theatre at Birzebbuga during the 1940 - 1950s. Lolly lives in Melbourne.

11. Baby Joseph Calleja. My nephew. Son of Ninu Calleja (of Zurrieq Road) and Emily Calleja nee Coxhead. Joseph and his parents migrated to Melbourne March 1958 on the ill fated MS Skaubryn. The ship caught fire and sank in the Indian Ocean, April 1958. Joseph lives in Melbourne.

12. Anthony / Toni Gauci of Birzebbuga. His family nickname 'ta - Beccuna' He was a Sgt in the Army. (Passed away. RIP)

13. Eddie who owned and drove the Birzebbuga Bus No 1212. The bus was named VICTOR and he was known as 'Eddie tal Victor' (RIP)

14. This person was from Birzebbuga. He was called ' it - Tunezin '

15. A Maltese migrant who sailed on the SS Asturias.

16. A friend of Lolly Savona. Both of Birzebbuga.

17. A Maltese migrant who sailed on the SS Asturias.

The other persons are relatives and friends of the persons who were leaving Malta.

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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Not a 'lovely' Pretty Bay scene - its olden days

Hard to tell what year this picture was taken. Has to be c1930 or a bit earlier. An old bus can be seen and some cars are parked in front of ''Cherries''.
I can easily see the vegie & fruit shop that was called ''ta Anni tal haxix '' meaning ''Anne's vegie shop''. next to it is the old ''shoemaker shop'' that belong to a man named Djonis.
There must have been very rough seas hitting the wall against the roadway as could be seen by the damage. Also one can see the ''fanal'', the kerosene burning lamp-post. These used to be lit up every evening and would be blacked-out within minutes.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Birzebbuga of old times ~ c1952

An aerial view of Birzebbuga period c1952. Going by the shadows it seems this photo was taken early in the morning. At left the Claridge Hotel can be seen, the Government School by the corner of Zebra Street was still there, later replaced by the Sea Breeze Hotel. The place that was called 'The Villa' nowadays called 'Cherries'can be seen and many trees around the building. No TV antennas in sight as TV was still a few years away. Note, not a square inch of sand can be seen in the Bay. This is a lovely picture of Birzebbuga.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

BIRZEBBUGA ~ 1929

This part of Birzebbuga sea-front as was in 1929. Most likely photo taken in winter. No beach lovers or boats in sight. At left of photo shows the corner of the main beach road and Addolorata Street. The CENTRAL BAR is on that corner. What is interesting is the two small buildings at the front by the sea edge. These could have been boat houses. I think I do remember one of them still standing during the late 1930s.