The Frontier Closure 50 Years On : Part 5 – The Workforce

“He was like my uncle, and we embraced, and we cried. We shed tears …. it’s not just an employee, it’s Francisco” – David Bentata

On 8th June 1969, Spain’s General Franco closed the land border between Spain and Gibraltar. Overnight supply lines were cut, families were separated and telecommunications ceased. This week, in Part 5 – The Workforce, I look back at the impact the withdrawal of the Spanish workforce had on Gibraltar, the personal stories of co-workers stopped from returning to work in Gibraltar and how Gibraltar got back on its feet and back to work in their absence. 

My thanks to all those who contributed to Part 5 : Dr Jennifer Ballantine Perera, David Bentata, Irma Casciaro, Ali Douissi, Paula Galliano, Dr Joseph Garcia, Clive Golt, Luis Montiel, Manuel Perez, Alfred Sacramento, William Serfaty, Henry Smart, Tito Vallejo Smith & Jackie Vila.

The photograph used to illustrate this series online is reproduced by kind permission of the Gibraltar National Archives.

The recording of the late David Hoare is included by kind permission of GBC.

‘Going South’ is performed by Philip Valverde and was written by Frank Valverde.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of William Serfaty.

The Gibraltar Stories theme music is by DP Music on www.melodyloops.com mixed with Gibraltar atmospheric sounds

Gibraltar Stories is produced, edited and presented by Lindsay Weston

The Closed Frontier 50 Years On : Part 5 - The Workers

Shaftesbury will be discussed on BBC Radio Four Extra on Friday 14th February. Two BBC reporters have visited our town to learn more about ThisIsAlfred.com for the national broadcaster’s weekly programme about podcasts.

Radio Four Extra To Feature Shaftesbury In Programme About ThisIsAlfred Podcast

A podcast sharing interesting stories about Gibraltar, its history & its people.

The Closed Frontier 50 Years On : Part 5 - The Workers

Gibraltar Stories

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