A team of Armed Forces veterans have returned from a week long trip to Gibraltar, where they have helped restore O’Hara’s Battery which sits on top of the iconic Mediterranean rock.
The team are from Alabaré, a UK charity supporting vulnerable veterans and those who have experienced homelessness since leaving the military. Alabaré runs homes, mental health support services and wellbeing activities dedicated to supporting veterans back into healthy, independent lives. This marks the second year that a team from veterans’ charity Alabaré will have helped restore militaria in Gibraltar, having successfully helped complete vital renovation work in May 2022 as well.
Twelve of the team have served in the UK Armed Forces, and include several who served in Gibraltar or spent time there during their military careers. The heritage project was an opportunity to give back to the people of Gibraltar and thank them for their continued support of the UK Armed Forces.
Sitting above the territory, O’Hara’s Battery is an iconic element of Gibraltar’s heritage, having been built by British troops in 1890 and seen service throughout both World Wars. Since being decommissioned 1976, the gun has fallen into disrepair and is now the subject of a renovation project spearheaded by military historian Pete Jackson, Trustee of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. The Alabaré team worked under Pete’s guidance for 5 days, significantly moving the restoration forward and helping to preserve this piece of militaria for years to come.
The Gibraltar Veterans Heritage Project is being run as part of Alabaré’s Boots on the Ground programme, which promotes and encourages veterans’ mental and physical well-being through outdoor activity. Alabaré runs homes, mental health support services and social enterprises dedicated to supporting veterans back into healthy, independent lives.
Royal Navy veteran Tim Wise was one of the team who took part. He said;
“I am currently part of the Alabaré Self-Build programme in Plymouth, where I am helping to build homes, one of which I will get to move into. I was delighted to have the opportunity to join Alabaré’s Boots on the Ground team and come to Gibraltar. I really value working alongside veterans having served in the Royal Navy for twelve years. It’s great to get to know service men and women from across all the services, and the work is very rewarding – you go away at the end of the day knowing that you did something to help.”
Karen Langley is member of the Alabaré team. Karen served 12 years with R.E.M.E as an A Mech. She said:
“I had the privilege to be part of the heritage team this year in Gibraltar. To be part of the team not only as a staff member, but also as a veteran it was an honour. Seeing the team bond from day one, as most had never met anyone else prior, except on video calls was fantastic. I am aware of the challenges, the team faced not only individually in their personal lives. It was lovely to see the team support each other. Everyone built on their strengths and learnt new skills while away and could see the difference they had made not only to the gun, but for it to be able to be open to the community to visit the Heritage site.”
Andrew Lord is the Chief Executive of Alabaré and he joined the group in Gibraltar. As the week came to a close he reflected on the achievements of the project team. He said:
“It was an amazing week. I witnessed a group of veterans from Alabaré homes and services develop as a team. They worked on restoring an important piece of military heritage and through their hard work and being with other veterans, their own wellbeing improved as well.”
Alabaré like to thank HM Government of Gibraltar, Greenwich Hospital, The Not Forgotten, Gibraltar Naval Trust, Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society, the Salisbury and Amesbury Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club, businesses and individuals for all their support in making this project possible.
Alabaré is hoping to take a team of young people who currently live in the charity’s homes to Gibraltar later this year to take part in a similar restoration project.
