The Frontier Closure 50 Years On : Part 6 – The Legacy
“There was a positive aspect of this as the latest siege in that it presented challenges…. which, I think, the Gibraltarian rose over with flying colours ” – Manuel Perez
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 the 6th and final part of this series of podcasts looking at the impact of the Frontier Closure, I hear from a several of the people who have contributed to the series so far about the legacy of the closed frontier years, and why it’s important to remember this period in Gibraltar’s history.
My thanks to all those who contributed to Part 6 : Ambrose Avellano, Dr Jennifer Ballantine Perera, Sylvia Ballantine, David Bentata, Irma Casciaro, Paula Galliano, Dr Joseph Garcia, Aileen Gordon, Manuel Perez, William Serfaty, Henry Smart, Juan Carlos Teuma, Tito Vallejo Smith & Jackie Vila.
The photograph used to illustrate this series online is reproduced by kind permission of the Gibraltar National Archives.
The commentary from the archive news footage is included by kind permission of GBC.
‘Going South’ & ‘Take me to the border’ is performed by Philip Valverde and was written by Frank N Valverde & Philip J Valverde.
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
(Photo: courtesy of the Gibraltar National Archives)
The original Spanish border gates, now on display at John Macintosh Hall, Main Street, Gibraltar.