1898
The
Parish church as it used to be decorated for the feast in 1898.
1922
1922 - Members of Circolo
San Gabriel.
1924
This
photo dates back to 1924 , the Chusrch’s façade used to be decorated with
oil lamps, we can see the rope ladder which was tied to the façade. On the
right one can see the lantern with a candle inside. On the Madonna’s
pedastall one can see the inscription which later on was written as it was
on the same statue.
1925
Bells Committee
1925
The Blessing of the new bells by Mons. Mawru Caruana, Archpriest of
Malta on the 19th March 1925.
1925
The bell (most probably the fouth) arives in the belfry
on the 19th March 1925. People can be seen on the roof of the
Circolo San Gabriel. For this occasion the secretary wrote" It
was discussed that for this occasion the roof of the circolo will be
opened, but only for members."
1925
This photo was taken 75 years ago. Main street decorated
for the feast of the Annunciation which was held on the 9th April
1925. In this photo one can see the 'trofej', colomns and statues
which are still in use till the present date. In those days there was
no traffic! Everyone could walk freely.
1930
A precious photo, which takes us, back to 1930 on two
memorable occasions, the arrival of the Statue of the Annunciation after
restoration and when the new bandalora was used. This photo was taken in
lower main street.
1948
The
arrival of the big bell in 1948.
1949
A small feast organised by
children Alley 2 Main Street in 1949, in those days and even today the
alley was known
as Fuli's Alley. For the occasion the alley was decorated with baby
Jesus and further in the statue of our lady.
1952
Fish & Ties - Catching fish with
ties instead of rods & lines.
Carnival Company 1952 by the Maltese Artist Gabriel Caruana.
1948
This photo shows the
people who accompanied the bell from the port to Balzan on the 28th
November 1948. This bell was made to form the whole set of bells which
are french and where manufactured by Packard Limited. It was given the
name of Maria Anna and its the third largest in Malta. It cost Lm1900,
which were collected from the Balzan population. It was taken up in
the belfry on the 2nd January 1949.
1952
The first time St. Gabriel
Band has played band marches in another locality out of Balzan. This was
at the end of August, 1952 in Wardija on the occasion of the feast
of Madonna ta' l-Abbandunati.
1952
Fireworks Group:
Standing up from the left: Carmelo Schembri, Carmelo Muscat, Peter
Borg, Michael Calleja, il-Kappillan Dun Guzepp Minuti, Joseph Debono,
Gabriel Muscat, Joseph Azzopardi.
Sitting down from the left: Willie Sciclun Woodhouse, Joseph Calleja,
Nazzareno Azzopardi, Johnie Sammut, Valentino Azzopardi
1953
9th August 1953: St.
Gabriel Band playing band marches on the arrival of the new priest, Dun
Gwann Zammit Hammet in the Parish Church of Balzan.
1954
St
Gabriel Band club under the direction of Mro Carmelo Briffa, first Band
Master preparing for the Queen Elizabeth’s arrival on the road leading to
San Anton Gardens on 3rd May 1954. In the photo one can see part
of a building which later on had to be demolished so that the new balzan
square could be made.
1969
Fireworks Group:
From the left: Ignazio Magro, Gerald Ebejer, Valentino Azzopardi,
Charlie Gatt, Joseph Scicluna, Joseph Calleja, Peter Borg, Nazzareno
Azzopardi, Michael Micallef.
1969
Guzeppi
Scicluna was born in Balzan in 1904. He built the firework’s factory
between 1962 and 1963. He was a benafactor and also worked fireworks for the
feast. In theis photo, guzeppi can be seen with the fireworks to be used for
the church’s three hundred year anniversary in 1969. Guzeppi died in 1998.
1972
"Los Sombreros Dancers"
Float which qas done by St. Gabriel Band Club.
