BIRZEBBUGA PRETTY BAY - by Bill of Pretty Bay: June 2008

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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Friday, June 20, 2008

The Old Claridge Hotel and the two villas

Above you see two photos of the same location at Birzebbuga.
The upper photo was taken sometime during 1950s. Most likely about 1955. At left is the old Claridge Hotel which was built sometime in the 1920s.
During WW2 it was taken over by the RAF and was used as a Mess / Cooking House for the airmen.
About late 1944 it was handed back to its owners. I can recall that sometime in 1945 there was a big wedding held upstairs. The reception was held in the evening and the hotel was all lt up. It was a wonderful scene by the calm sea of Pretty Bay.

In the photo you can see that next to the Claridge Hotel a building is being demolished. This was a large very old villa. Sometime about 1950 it was being used (temporarily) as a School.

In the upper photo which was taken in 2006, you can see that all the three old buildings had gone a new holiday apartments were built in their place.
The Old Claridge Hotel was knocked down about 1972. The Southend Guesthouse was built in its place. During 2007 the holiday apartments / Southend Guesthouse was knocked down and presently, today in 2008 a new building is being erected.

Have a good look at the two photos and note the great transformation that has taken place at Birzebbuga over the past 40 yrs.

Rebuilding the Old Caridge and the South End Guesthouse Site. (photo by Adrain at Birzy - July08)

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Someone building a boat

This is Birzebbuga c1960. The location is close by the old Claridge Hotel which existed during period 1930 to 1970. In the top left hand corner of the picture one can see the steel wrought iron gate that led to the lower corridor of the Hotel facing the beach front.
One can see the small concrete jetty that was so popular with swimmers who raced to it and made a high leaping jump in the sea. The water was very shallow by the jetty and it was very risky diving head first into the sea but everyone took the risk.

At top centre of the picture in the background one can see the Police Station which was next door to the Bayview Bar. No sandy beach can be seen in this photo. Unlike today in 2008 the sandy beach extends out into the bay by about 100 metres.