Welcome to my Guest Book
Hope you enjoyed my Site 
From: William of Pretty Bay August 25 2010 Thanks for messages from ~ Carmen C ~ Paul C ~ Denis D ~ David G ~ Sam B ~ Glen J and Brian C. Nice to read about past memories at Birzie. I've took a lot of pics of many streets in Birzebbuga so I'll be adding them here shortly. Good fun.  From: William of Pretty Bay August 25 2010 Hi Dennis Bonnici. Thanks for your message. I've just returned to Aussie after spending three months at Pretty Bay. Lovely summer weather. Met a lot of guys while over there and did have a chat with your brother Lorio. I do remember you father ' DIONIS the shoemaker' He was a friend of my father. It looks like the old shop is not in use and so is the Coffee Shop / Bar around the corner. Thanks. From: Dennis Bonnici (denlc7@yahoo.com) August 25 2010 Hi William I lived in Bugia till I left to live in Australia 1964. I lived with my parents at Our Lady Of Sorrows Street. My father John (Ganni) had the shoe shop opposite the police station. My brother and sister still live in bugia..my brother’s name is Lario and my sister’s name is Vicky. If any one wants to contact me please do via my email,, Thanks for the site Dennis Bonnici From: Paul Combs (combspaul96@yahoo.com) August 23 2010 This is such a beautiful place!!! From: carmen (carmencurry932@hotmail.com) Home page: http://love the site August 21 2010 i love the site,as sure i remamber few things about birzee,i was born in birze .in st gorges str,we where the only twins,i still visit malta as i oldest brother at 74 doing fine,and im sure that the 3 one on the photo is my brother mario.thanks i shell pass the site to my friends to see, From: Denis A. Darmanin (button@maltanet.net) August 21 2010 Hi. A very interesting site and have passed it to many Birzies in Canada and Australia. Birzy is a dear place for me as I had my aunt and uncle, Guza and Gelardu who lived in San Gorg. Thier sons Lino and Mario still live there. I remember San Gorg with the sunken wooden barge and later a concrete yacht. Reggie's White Horse Inn, now that's a milestone! I remember it in the corder with a piano, many old sofas and lampshades and snoke and songs from RAF personnel. Then the new place opened further up and my cousin Lino was his first barman. And walking all the way from ta` Brolli along Wied Dalam to the cave. What memories! You've done a great job. From: David Gauci (mermaid@maltanet.net) August 14 2010 Hi, William , I got your site from facebook were you chatted with a lady Gatt.Actually you told her that you new only one Gatt family from St.Philip street with three daughters.In fact my late grandma was called Nina Ta Gatt and they were 5 daughter, Nina, Guza, Tessi,Mary, and Lonza. From: Steven (siljun@hotmail.com) August 13 2010 Hi William , if anyone wants to see pics of this year`s fesat ( which was exelent as always) I`d suggest to go on Face Boof and look for : sezzjoni zghazagh iljuni. Lots of pics in that group. Including the prossesion , marches , fireworks and lots of other stuff. From: Sam Ball (sam.ball@btinternet.com) August 11 2010 Hi, I lived in Birzebbuga between 1956 and 1959 and attended Tal Handaq Royal Naval School as dad was in the navy based at Hal Far. It has been a joy to trawl your site and the Lido brought back memories of roller skaying to Guy Mitchell's ''Singing the Blues'' Summer time was magic From: Glenn Jenkins (glennivanjenkins@tiscali.co.uk) August 9 2010 Hello William, I was very interested in your site, some lovely photo's. I served in the RAF 1966-68 at HAL-FAR & FORT ST LUCIAN. I married a local girl from Birze, Josephine Vella, sister of Johnny Vella the butcher,& whos father was Salvu Vella. Which brings me to the photo of the group of men from Kalafrana. Number 3 on your list you have got as Joseph Vella, my wife is almost certain that it is her father, could you please correct the name to read Salvu Vella. Thank you so much & all the best for the future. Cheers Glenn. From: brian collins (bjc927504@hotmail.com) July 26 2010 i lived in Birzebuggia from april 1958 until dec 1960 in a house next to the church in church st...no.1..or maybe no.2...i was in the navy and worked in the control tower HAL FAR...the pavements were alive with cockroaches at night in those days....i remember the LIDO cinema and JOHNNIES bar...great days From: alan flores (alan.flores@bigpond.com) June 13 2010 My grandfather owned dowdalls hotel. i was born in birzebuggia in 1948, I came to Australia in 1950. Now live on the central coast. My family owned many of the houses there. From: Charlie ( Carmenu ) Zammit (chaszam@onvol.net) May 9 2010 Hello Willie . That is how I knew you as a boy at Alexander Street .My mother was Mary ( Tal Belt ) I like the phots. A real good job . I must say I prefer Birzebbuga as of my childhood days Alas !! I heard that you are at the moment in Birzebbuga and you have asked after me . I will endevour to find you before you leave Malta again . I am sure we can have a good chinwag .Once again a real good site . From: Peggy Goodwin (tractionengine0@hotmail.co.uk) May 8 2010 Hi I came to birzebbugia from England when I was 7 yrs old in 1959, to stay with my grandmother Connie Wigley, she used to own the Corner shop just up the road from the church. My sister live in Birze now ,the family names were Wigley,Roberts, and Ferrando. I have such wonderfull memories of those holidays, and I spent my honeymoon in b'bugia, and my brother married my wonderfull sister in law at St Peters. God bless You Malta maybe one day I will return. Thank you for the wonderfull photos old and new. From: Sallie J. Torres Eimstad (probesone@hotmail.com) March 14 2010 I am looking for a former client Carmel ''Charlie'' Mamo. Charlie was from Malta, later relocated to Australia in the Sydney area, I believe, then lived in the U.S. where he worked as an industrial electrician for a few years, and returned to Australia a few years ago. If you know Charlie, please send him this note and ask him to send me an e-mail at probesone@hotmail.com. My name is now Sallie Eimstad, but Charlie knew me a few years ago as Sallie Torres. Thanks for any help you can offer. From: Antoinette Mamo (toninant(@)gmail.com) February 6 2010 Date: Mon Feb 01 2010 Hi, I live in Birzebbuga and it's really nice to see some old photos of my village I was really surprised to find out that there is my father in the St.George's Bay flooding photo. His name was Carmel Mamo, he passed away a year and a half ago and I was wondering if somehow I could get that photo at a higher resolution since I don't have that one and it would be really nice to have. Many Thanks From: Simon Camilleri (garfunkl(@)hotmail.com) February 6 2010 Date: Sat Jan 30 2010 I love Birzebbuga. My Grandmother and Grandfather and Father were all born there. My cousin Robert Gauchi lives there and I have many friends there and I can't wait to see then all. I will be back again this year for the festa. From: Yvonne (Coleiro) Gilbreath (ygilbre@yahoo.com) Home page: http://www.facebook.com/people/Yvonne-Gilbreath/100000014871756?ref=search January 24 2010 Great pictures, William! I lived in Birzi from 1967 to 1973 and remembered the flood! Our street used to get hit (Noqra Lane). My dad was Maltese and we went to live there for some time. I have been back to visit my cousins (Cassar), who were a big part of my life there. Thanks for the memories! From: Steven Farruga (siljun@hotmail.com) Home page: http://birzebbugaband.org January 1 2010 Hi William , Just to wish ou and all the greatest for the new year. From: Joe Camilleri (guzepp@gmail.com) December 18 2009 Hi! Bill, Congratulations on your web site very informative as usual. I enjoyed all the new stories and information that you supplied about Birzebbuga during the last year. Keep it up mate because of people like you we are so very proud to say we are from Birzebbuga. We Wish you,all your family & friends a very Merry Christmas & A Happy,healthy New Year 2010. Your work is priceless.**** Viva Birzebbuga. Joe Camilleri. From: Emanuel Camilleri (lelicam@live.co.uk) December 8 2009 Hi Bill. Just wanted to wish you and all those who visit your sight a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. From: Steven (siljun@hotmail.com) December 5 2009 If there is anyone that used to live in B`Buga str @ the time when the foood pic was taken ...please contavt me on my E-mail address. I am Steven Farruga , the late Jane (NE Giulford`s)son , mer Mum was Mari ta bormal. I`m lookin up the family tree and I need help. Thanks million From: Bill in Melbourne (billcox@searchmalta.com) November 28 2009 Hi Wayne at Birzie My grandmother was a Bartolo from Floriana also Cospicua and Nadur Gozo. Where does your connections come from ? Say 'HI' to Ninu for me. Best of health to him too. Thanks From: Wayne Bartolo (wayne.bartolo@gmail.com) November 28 2009 I just love looking at photos of birzebbuga in it's olden days. i live there and sometimes just look at a spot and wonder how it used to look back in earlier times. just wonderful. ''Ninu'' was my bus driver to school:), i still see him sometimes. From: Lu Mer November 27 2009 Lu Mer I really enjoyed the site. I am the grand daughter of Peter Dowdall who owned Dowdall's Hotel. My dad was Harry, his son and my uncle Reggie Dowdall, owner of White Horse Inn. My aunt Evelyn owned the Buck's Head and another auntie Beattie married to Censu Cachia also owned another place, but I can't remember the name. I will send you some pix...:) Good day, prosit and thank you. From: Steven (siljun@hotmail.com) November 22 2009 Hi, Ninu Kawlatu`s wife ( Late Helen Abdila) was my aunt and I found your site very interesting. But mostly I found interesting is the picture you have of those kids playing in the flood in the San George area. Why? Well i think that some of the kids are relatives of mine becuse my family has always lived in that particular area. If ~im not mistaken in front of the old White Horse Inn. So please you would do me a big favour if you could send me the picture so I could confirm it with my family members. Thank you , and if there is anything you would like me to pass to my Uncle Ninu I would be honored to do so. Steven From: William of Pretty Bay (billcox@searchmalta.com) Home page: http://www.freewebs.com/skaubryn October 16 2009 Hi to you Thanks for visiting and adding your little piece of history about our Birzebbuga by the sea. Its enjoyed by many who live out of Malta and the locals too. If you happen to have a photo of the village or a nearby locality please email it to me and I'll add it here. Thanks. From: J. L. Briffa (proleas@optusnet.com.au) October 14 2009 I came across this site by accident and saw your report on HMS Breconshire. My father was the Electrical Officer on RFA Sea Salvor, which is shown in your photos salvaging the sunken Breconshire and present when the photos were taken in 1954 From: Mr & Mrs Gray (jon@taghna.plus.com) October 14 2009 Mrs Gray (nee Carmen Francalanza) was born in Birzebbuga. Now living in Lincolnshire, England. Thank you for the memories. From: Joseph (buga) October 10 2009 I visit this site very oftenly. The amountof material presentedin this website is incredible. Please continue to privide this information to us, and make sure that your posts remain there for our consultation. God bless your work. From: Kenneth Incorvaja (kennet@maltanet.net) October 8 2009 Well done for your information and pictures. I took a photo of the same place in which you showed how it was in old times. I will send it to you on your email. From: Jake Borg Falzon (jakeborgfalzon19@hotmail.com) October 8 2009 Victor Borg Falzon he is my grand grand father my grandfather is salvu borg fazlon (deceased) and my ffather Louis From: pauline vassallo October 7 2009 great work i am glad i was born ther From: CarmenB October 2 2009 Just love your website Bill. Thanks for the lovely photos. Went to B'buga on my last visit to Malta and felt I would love to retire there. Nice area. From: Theresa Grima (theresagrima@yahoo.com.au) September 30 2009 Thanks Bill. i plan to scan some photos and send them to you. Theresa ... ta Ninu ... ta Matti. From: JOSEPH September 7 2009 GREAT WEBSITE. WHEN I VISIT YOUR WEBSITE I ALWAYS FIND SOEMTHING NEW. PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED ABOUT BIRZEBBUGA'S PAST HISTORY AND PEOPLE. LOVELY. KEEP IT UP. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THE WORK YOU'RE DOING. WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU. THANKS JOSEPH From: John (lpnphoto@yahoo.com) August 8 2009 Thanks for taking the photograph, I dont remember anything being that high in front of the Church, where was it taken from ? I remember the Labour clubs going down to the beach and all the writing on the roadway after the elections etc and Chisk beer (sorry for spelling). ......... thanks again From: William of Pretty Bay (billcox@searchmalta.com) August 6 2009 Thanks for your message John. Go to the Site shown here and you'll see a great view of the Church. http://www.voy.com/208763/ From: John (lpnphoto@yahoo.com) August 6 2009 First of all a GREAT SITE Thanks. I lived in Birze for 3 years from 1972-75 spent many a happy day swimming from there across the bay to what used to be Kalafrana Bay where the RAF had it's sailing club, also if we got caught running over the square in front of the Church you knew when you got home the Priest had already told your parents and you were chastised for doing it. I can't remember the name of the street we lived but if you looked at the Church from the sea it was the second street to the right just passed the 4 or 5 shops. We used to go down to the sea and catch Lampuki by digging a small hole in the sand and then flick them out onto the beach. By any chance do you have a picture of the Church please?. From: Joe Minuti (joeminut@btinternet.com) August 5 2009 Hi William, I'm sure I should know you but cannot place you, sorry. Thanks for a great site and the old photos of Berzi. I live in the UK now and have been here for the best part of 33 years. I spent my childhood in Berzi growing up and would not change it for anything. Spent most of my time at the ''old'' Seabreeze playing pinball machines or the Bay View Bar with dear old Johnie. My hobby then was waiting for the American ships to come in so I could visit. I also have a place in Berzi which I try to get to at least once a year sometimes twice. You must know the rest of the familiy there starting with the parish priest and so on. ANyway, thanks again for a great site. I have to show it to my daughter as she only knows it as it is now. Joe From: William of Pretty Bay (billcox@searchmalta.com) August 3 2009 Hi Janet at Zurrieq Road. No, I have not a pic of the Couragous Bar but I'll try to chase one. Going back pre WW2 during the late 1930 my father used to have a drink at that Bar and he used to take me along. I used to get a choc wafer which cost half a penny. On that corner in Zebra Street there used to be a Taxi Stand and a guy by the name or nickname of ''is Swannie'' used to own a Taxi. It was a 1934 Chev and it was in two fawny colours. Always nice a clean. As for where your house is today in Zurrieq Road the land opposite the Eden Theatre and the grocery of ''ta Caspan'' all that land was just fields / paddock and the British Army took it over and they used it to park all sorts of guns and military equipment that was not in use. Call it an Army storage area. I think in those days the land was cheap and today its worth many thousands of Euros. Thanks for message. From: janet camilleri (tomboy@maltanet.net) August 2 2009 hello William,what a lovely site!! we all love Berzi too,would'nt live anywhere else,we live in zurrieq rd just opposite where the old cinema used to be, we must know you but can't place you,I work at the seabreeze hotel do you have any old photo's of the old couragous bar? love the site. From: William of Pretty Bay (billcox@searchmalta.com) August 1 2009 Hi Pauline. I met your mother and father during my past visits to Malta in 1992 and 1995. I know Ninu very well. During 1940 my parents lived two doors away from them in Zurrieq Rd. Used to go down the Air Raid shelter together. There was Ninu, Guza, Dolores and Salvu. Ninu was a bit older then me. We used to go to the cinema in Zurrieq Rd during the War years. The Eden Theatre in Zurrieq Road which I think the building belonged to the Abdilla family. Dolores was my age. I met her too in 1992. I took a photo of Ninu in his coach and gave him a copy. Used to get a free ride to Valletta.......LOL. I think your mother's family used to live near the church close to the butcher shop 'is - Sjettu'. Please say Hello to your father when you phone him. Tell him his old friend Ninu Calleja of Zurrieq Rd is still alive aged 87yrs. He is my brother in law. Are you on Facebook ? Best regards William. From: pauline vassallo (boccavassallo@yahoo.com.au) July 31 2009 hi iwas born in bugia jien it tefla ta ninu kawlatu iwas ther 4months ago for my mum funurel it a beautiful place my son ither at the moment he loving it he does not want to come back i have nice momeries of pretty bay may be one day we ritier ther keep up the good work viva san pitru melb austrilia From: bryan bagstaff (bbagstaff@googlemail.com) July 27 2009 Nice work. stationed in malta on 203 sqn at Luqa 1974-78 Nimrods.Loverly memories !!!! From: Joseph Home page: http://freewebs.com/sanpietru July 21 2009 Well done William. Lovely. Excellent. Ghandek imhabba lejn Birzebbuga aktar min-nies li jghixu fiha. Please kompli gib aktar ritratti u rrakontalna l-affarijiet kollha. Nitolbok minn qalbi. From: William - Webmaster July 17 2009 Thanks for your comments I have a couple of old photos that shows a group of men from Birzebbuga. The period is about 1940. Some of the men I do know them but not everyone. I shall place the photos on the Site and maybe someone might know their names. Most likely all of them are now R.I.P. Bill / William of Pretty Bay. From: josephine baldacchino (ian@maltanet.net) July 16 2009 hi there what a lovely site. i agree perfectly with your readers that it brings back lovely memories but also a little sadness. I've lived in Birzebbuga all my life and reading your blog and the guest book brought me a lot of nostalgia as i can still remember my dad talking about the people mentioned. he used to work as a driver with the Inglizi all his life. in particular he used to mention one of his superiors McMahon. by the way cherries used to be known as Il-Villa l-Hamra (the Red Villa) not just il-Villa because of its colour. From: Emanuel Camilleri (leicam@live.co.uk) July 7 2009 Born in Birzebbugia,in 1944,and lived in Sydney Australia for the last fourty four years, I was pleased to see and read some of the history of my biloved place. From: Jackie Brincat (jacbee58@yahoo.co.uk) June 26 2009 Hi Love this site all about my favourite place! We are backwards and forwards between our two homes, UK and Birze...my husband is Mario, ta Tancredi.. who owned British Stationery shop in Pretty Bay, now owned by Joe, his brother. The photos are really interesting - I love the history aspect of it all..... |
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