2012 has been a special year for Club Access 2 leisure with many continuing members who had joined the Club in its first year of operation enjoying a free week to celebrate 25 years of happy holidays with Club Access 2 leisure.

King George VI honours Malta G.C.

2012 has also been special for Malta: on 15th April 2012 the islands of Malta, which have been a firm favourite holiday destination of Club Access 2 leisure members over the last 25 years, proudly celebrated the 70th Anniversary from receiving the George Cross.

70 years ago, in 1942, the islands were experiencing one of their hardest times in history. Around 1,728 tons of bombs were dropped on Malta destroying almost 6,000 houses and other buildings, killing and seriously wounding hundreds. Malta’s airfields and harbours were very heavily attacked while the capital city of Valletta was almost completely destroyed. With food supplies at their lowest levels, Malta was on the verge of surrendering but the courage and stamina of the defenders was not dampened sufficiently by the German Luftwaffe.

From London, King George VI wrote a message to the people of Malta:

“To honour her brave people, I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.”

The George Cross served as a great boost for the island’s morale, bringing further determination to the population. The serious situation in Malta was relieved months later, with the providential arrival of the Santa Marija convoy on the 15th of August. A public presentation of the George Cross took place at the Palace Square in Valletta on 13th September, 1942. The George Cross was later officially incorporated in the Maltese flag, on the white canton on the left.

Club Access 2 leisure is proud of its special association with Malta where so many Club members have enjoyed happy holidays at the Club’s resorts on the island over the past 25 years.

Club Access 2 leisure celebrates its own George Cross!

Club Access 2 leisure is also proud of its very own George Crosses: the George Cross Pub and the George Cross Restaurant and Pool Bar at Club Riza, Club Access 2 leisure’s most popular resort in Malta. Both of these establishments have been operated for the last four years by Marc Crossley who was inspired to name the establishments not only in memory of the courage of the Maltese population and that of the British and Allied Armed Forces, but also in memory of Marc’s hero, his grandfather George Crossley, who served under King George VI in the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. Marc also followed the family tradition of serving in the same cavalry regiment as his grandfather, prior to moving to Malta to serve his countrymen at Club Riza.

Over the years many Club members have enjoyed the peace of mind of finding starter welcome food packs supplied to their apartments by Marc prior to arrival, having items such as heavy packs of bottled water delivered to their apartments, and having breakfast and their main meal cooked for them either on breakfast only, half board or on an ad hoc basis, not to mention the Club and theme nights in both the restaurant and bar, all served with his usual friendly banter and charm – all of which have made Marc a firm favourite with Club Access 2 leisure’s all-British members.

Amongst many other members, family McNab from Dundee recently commented “we would like to thank all the staff and single out the catering staff for not only for the food which was of such a high standard but also for their attention to detail and being so attentive to us. I feel this is a big plus for Club Riza – we give 10 out of 10 to Marc and his staff!”

Marc recently opened a new fish and chip  establishment adjacent to Club Riza promising the best authentic fish and chip experience in Malta with real crispy batter and Yorkshire style mushy peas, which have proved popular not only with holiday makers getting a taste of Blighty in Malta but also with a regular clientele from the many ex-pats living on the island.

Marc is also the proud father of his young princess Emily aged 11 and his  rising star George Crossley aged 14 who has already represented Yorkshire in under 15s rugby.

Club Access 2 leisure wishes to thank Marc for the sterling service he and his team continue to provide to Club members. Keep up the good work for many years to come!

To pre-book welcome food packs, or deals for breakfast only or half-board basis packages for stays at Club Riza contact your Reservations Team by email services@A2L.BIZ or by telephone (00356) 21 582 416 or complete your request from the advance check in form available in the Download section of the Club website www.A2L.BIZ