Friends of Valletta
City of Chichester - Valletta Capital of Malta
Talks
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12 November 2026
1900hrs GMT (2000hrs Malta)
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) – A Zoom Talk by Astrid Vella
You are warmly invited to Astrid Vella's illustrated online Zoom talk about Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) (Together for a Better Environment), Malta's leading environmental non-governmental organisation, to learn about its efforts to protect Malta and Gozo's threatened cultural and natural heritage. FAA relies on volunteers and enthusiasts - such as yourself - to achieve these aims, see more at https://faa.org.mt/ . Attendance is free, donations encouraged. All are welcome, do share this invitation with friends and family.
Please register via Zoom using the link below.
Friends of Valletta warmly invite you to a film show of 'The Malta Story' at The Studio, New Park Centre, New Park Road, Chichester PO19 7XY (https://www.newparkcentre.org.uk/studio) on Thursday evening, 20 November. 'The Malta Story' is a classic wartime film, set in 1942 at the height of Malta's blitz, and produced in 1953, starring Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Steel, Muriel Pavlow and Flora Robson in a dramatic story which focusses on the RAF's defence of the Island, and includes real wartime footage.
What was it like to be in the most bombed place on earth, undergoing two and a half years of siege and aerial bombardment, and facing starvation and invasion? Malta's very survival depended on convoys with vital food, fuel and ammunition fighting through to Malta, while the RAF and anti-aircraft batteries bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe's onslaught. This was achieved at great cost and personal sacrifice, dramatised so well in 'The Malta Story'.
Maltese wine and nibbles will be served afterwards. Please register via Zoom, this helps with catering arrangements. Feel free to invite guests, all are welcome. Latecomers can still register at the door.
The entrance fee is £5, payable on arrival.
Membership of Friends of Valletta is only £10 p.a., see https://www.friendsofvalletta.org/membership/. View recordings of our recent Talks at https://www.friendsofvalletta.org/talks/.
Our BACS details are as follows, Account: Friends of Valletta, Sort code: 60-03-08. Account number 81138695. Please add your name as reference, followed by '19 June', e.g. Smith-19 June.
The talk will be recorded for the Friends of Valletta website. Your attendance is taken as consent to potentially appear on the recording.
You are also very welcome to enrol as a Friend of Valletta, only £10 p.a., to receive our 'Melita' newsletter and invitations to future talks, see https://www.friendsofvalletta.org/membership/. Previous 'Melita' newsletters and recordings of talks are on our website.
This talk will be in Chichester and also on Zoom, see details on flyer. All are welcome.
12 January 2026
1900hrs GMT (2000hrs Malta time)
Prehistoric Treasures from Malta - A Talk by Vincent Zammit
You are warmly invited to our first talk for the New Year, a Zoom-only talk about the unique Prehistoric Treasures of Malta by Vincent Zammit on Monday evening 12 January 2026. The talk is open to all, feel free to invite others.
Vincent is a leading personality in the tourist guiding scene in Malta. His last talk to us was in December 2021 when he delivered a delightful talk about Christmas traditions in Malta, so it will be great to welcome him back. His Zoom talk this time will be at 1900hrs GMT, 2000hrs in Malta, on 12 January.
Everyone attending is asked to pay £5 or 5 euro by BACS. IBAN details can be provided on request. BACS details: Account: Friends of Valletta, Sort code: 60-03-08. Account number 81138695. Please add your name as reference, followed by 'talk', e.g. Smith-talk.
Proceeds will support Din L-Art Helwa, the National Trust of Malta, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025, https://static.dinlarthelwa.org/
The name 'Din L-Art Helwa' means 'This sweet land', and is from the opening line of Malta's National Anthem, 'Lil Din L-Art Helwa...'.
You can download free electronic copies of Din L-Art Helwa's 50th anniversary book 'Heritage Saved' (1965-2015), and the 60th anniversary booklet 'Lest We Forget', via https://static.dinlarthelwa.org/publications-and-other-items/books-and-other-printed-content/
Malta's heritage and environment are facing tremendous challenges from rampant over-development and abuse of planning laws, your support for Din L-Art Helwa in countering these challenges could not be more timely.
24 February 2026
1900hrs GMT (2000hrs Malta time)
Malta in WWII and the George Cross Island Association – A Talk by Pat Scott
You are warmly invited to a talk about Malta during the Second World War, and the George Cross Island Association, by Pat Scott, National Secretary GCIA, on Tuesday evening 24 February 2026. The talk is open to all, feel free to invite guests.
The George Cross was awarded to the Island of Malta by King George VI on 15th April 1942 to honour her brave people for their heroism and devotion during World War II. Malta endured two and a half years of siege by the Axis Powers, and was only saved from surrender by the arrival of the Operation Pedestal Convoy in mid-August 1942. The subsequent invasion of Sicily in July 1943 was co-ordinated from Malta.
The GCIA was formed in July 1987 to bring together those involved in defending Malta, to ensure that the Pedestal Convoy was never forgotten, and to fund a suitable memorial - the Siege Bell. This was unveiled in Valletta in 1992 by HM The Queen and the President of Malta, for the 50th anniversary of the award of the George Cross. Commemorative events and reunions are organised in Malta each April and in UK in August. GCIA membership is open to anyone interested in Malta's wartime history, only £8.50 p.a., see https://www.georgecrossisland.org.uk/
Pat's talk will be delivered at the Council Chamber in Chichester, and on Zoom, at 1900hrs GMT, 2000hrs in Malta, on 24 February.
Please register by Zoom even if coming in person.
Everyone attending is asked to pay £5 or 5 euro by BACS, though payment can be taken at the door.
BACS details:
Account: Friends of Valletta,
Sort code: 60-03-08.
Account number 81138695.
Please add your name as reference, followed by 'talk', e.g. Smith-talk.
12 March 2026
1900hrs GMT (2000hrs Malta time)
The discovery and retrieval of two crashed Spitfires from the seabed of Gozo – A Talk by Kevin Patience
You are warmly invited to a talk on Thursday evening 12 March 2026 about the discovery in the 1960s of two crashed wartime Spitfires on the seabed off Dwejra and in Marsalforn Bay, Gozo, and their subsequent retrieval. The talk is open to all, feel free to invite guests.
The speaker served with the Royal Air Force in Malta in the 1960s and was in charge of the RAF Sub Aqua Club, see 'RAF Luqa Remembered - Sub Aqua Club' for photos and details of other discoveries, https://raf-luqa.weebly.com/sub-aqua-club.html
Kevin's talk will be delivered at the Council Chamber in Chichester, and on Zoom for those unable to attend in person, at 1900hrs GMT, 2000hrs in Malta, on 12 March.
Please register by Zoom even if coming in person.
Everyone attending is asked to pay £5 or 5 euro by BACS, though payment can be taken at the door.
BACS details:
Account: Friends of Valletta,
Sort code: 60-03-08.
Account number 81138695.
Please add your name as reference, followed by 'talk', e.g. Smith-talk.
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