Over the years, a veritable museum of memorabilia and artefacts of this historic village and of several of its local personalities have been amassed in the 400-year-old chapel that was originally dedicated to St Roque to save the village from the plague when several epidemics began soon after 1592.

The chapel was given in trust to Din l-Art Helwa in 1980.

Round Table Malta 1 is a young men’s service organisation which, through the Association of Round Tables Malta forms part of Round Table International and the World Council of Service Clubs, assists several worthy causes.

John Messina, chairman of Round Table Malta 1, in his presentation to the heritage group, stressed the importance of investing in our culture and heritage and praised Din l-Art Helwa for its efforts and for the effective completion of the many projects it has undertaken in the years since its foundation.

Martin Scicluna, Executive President of Din l-Art Helwa, received the donation and thanked Round Table l saying that this association has long been a supporte of the heritage group, having assisted financially with the restoration of Torri Mamo in Marsascala several years previously.

He said the chapel’s collection had been gathered over the years through the efforts of Michael Bonnici, its warden, and it is visited by many schoolchildren doing research for history projects. He said the funding from Round Table 1 would go a long way towards ensuring its contents were better interpreted and understood.

Also present for the event were Steve Ganado, vice-chairman of Round Table Malta 1, and Mark Vassallo, past chairman, together with other Din l-Art Helwa council members.