VILLAGE PARTY

Volume 5, Issue 4

Most of you understand why this newsletter was started, in that it was an endeavour to bring together the local villagers and the expatriate population. Over the last five years there has been little response from expatriates to organised functions by the village, and it was gratifying to see so many at the popular annual village party on the 24th August, when Father Gregoris entertained us by producing a marvellous dance routine with the Minister of Agriculture. Little response has come from our request to receive more funds for this newsletter, and we still need £200 to complete our February edition, this being the last edition of our year. In order to cover part of this deficiency we have decided to have a dinner, with a maximum of fifty people, on Sunday 30th November at Mappouras Tavern at 1:00p.m. and hope that you will be able to attend, the cost being £7.00 drinks paid for separately. Please contact David Bryant (Tel:24 333106) or E-mail: newseditor@maronicyprus.net , if you are interested. We have now found a willing person to replace David Bryant, who is retiring in February. Her name is Joan Rushby, one of our readers from the Santa Marina Complex who, we are sure, will bring fresh ideas to this publication. In this edition we have a fascinating article on Moscow by another new contributor, Don Campbell-Thomson, plus our hard working writers, Alison South, Gerry Barron and Jane Langford with interesting subjects. Also “Village at Work”, and our usual, we hope, informative reports.

Dear Friends, dear Christians ! It is good for everyone to know about our Church experiences. On 1st November, early on Saturday morning seven to half past nine, we are having a special service at the Church of St.Anargyri outside Maroni near the sea to celebrate Saint Anargyri. On the same day, in the afternoon from five to six o’clock, we have the ordinary Saturday night service, and also after that on Sunday morning the Sunday service. On this Sunday the 2nd of November we will bring on parade the old icon of St.George from the old Church in the cemetery to the main St.George’s Church to celebrate the special Saint George’s Day. We start the parade at four o’clock in the afternoon and when we arrive at the Church we start the special night service of Saint George, celebrating with a parade around the Church. On Monday morning the 3rd of November we have the service for St.George’s Day. These days in the roads near to the Church, there will be people selling peanuts, games for the children and local sweets. We hope that you enjoy these times and we pray to God for the best for yourself and your family. We are very happy to tell you that soon we will have building permission to build the St.Nicholas Church.

Teresa Georgiou is the proud owner of this interesting hand and homecraft shop in Tochni, and it is well worth a visit. Her opening day was on the 13th September and the day started at 10 a.m., nervously, with food and drinks laid out. The shop was full of wonderful crafts, and a hive of activity as artists arrived making their crafts on chairs outside under the covered verandas. After half an hour there were no customers, then a car stopped, and out stepped some people, who proceeded into the shop, and from then on there was a steady flow of customers up to and beyond the closing time at 4 p.m.. What had they come to see? What did they buy? You can only answer that question by visiting yourself, the opening hours being every day, 8.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon and 3.00 p.m. to 7 p.m, except Saturdays. Sundays 8.30 to 7.00 pm. You will be sure to see a large selection of real hand-made crafts, not made in China, not imported, much sought after by tourists, expatriates and locals.

Teresa moved to Cyprus from Winterthur, Hettlingen, Switzerland just over six years ago. Whilst on holiday here, like many, she fell in love with a Cypriot, Panajiotios Georgiou, and married him, and they have just completed re-building their house and shop. Getting ready for your Christmas shopping? Are you looking for special Christmas presents? Visit the local craft shop you might even want to treat yourself. You can contact Teresa on 24332331.

“Latest on Paphiakos and CCP animal welfare” by Jane Langford

On Monday 22nd September these animal sanctuaries were forced to close their doors due to severe lack of funding. For those of you who may not be aware of the vital work they do, I will give a brief resume. If you find a lost animal, just give them a call on 26953496/99655581, and they will arrange to collect the animal, usually in Orphanides Car Park, Limassol, but also at the Octagon, Zygi Cross Roads. The animal will be taken to a place of safety. They provide humane traps for frightened cats, and the shelters have their own vets on duty. They will give you very helpful advice over the phone, and they also supply a birth control service to their charges. The services provided are many and varied and help to prevent unnecessary suffering and distress to so many innocent animals. All the staff are volunteers and so dedicated; also extremely pleasant. The really, really great news is that they have just re-opened – some funding has arrived. If you wish to subscribe to this worthwhile charity, please send to Paphiakos & CCP Animal Welfare, No.12 Dedalos Building, 8049 Kato Paphos. P.O.Box 61272.

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We have now started re-surfacing the two roads to the sea, namely Grigori Afxentiou and Lemonokipos Streets and at the end of this month we will start replacing the water pipes. Unfortunately because of this cost, the water rates need to be increased by 30%. In the near future we will continue the crazy paving in St. Georges Street to finally meet up with St Anargiron Street, and we are continuing the pavement into the village on the corner by the Maroni Co-operative Bank. Please see last page for full report given by the president at the local village meeting on the 14th October. It has been decided that this will now be an annual meeting.

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Café Café is situated in Zygi on the sea front opposite the Diana Fish Restaurant. It is owned by Andy (as the English people call him, as his name is difficult to pronounce) and Harry.  Both Andy and Harry grew up in Maroni village and still have large families living in the village (in fact they are probably related to everybody in some way, shape or form). Andy met his wife, who is English, when she was on holiday in Cyprus 11 years ago. They lived together in Maroni village for 3 years before moving to England. They returned to Cyprus a year ago and are planning to build a house in Maroni soon. Andy and his wife run the café. The café is open 6 days a week (closed on Monday during the winter months) from mid afternoon until late. Food and drinks are reasonably priced with English fish and chips at £2:90 and a cold pint of Carlsberg at £1:20, and take away is also available.

 The childrens play area is situated in the far corner of the café, and provides a safe environment for children, and a break for parents, who can have a drink without worrying if the children are safe. A pool table is situated inside the café for those who enjoy a game, and a large screen T.V. has recently been installed to show premiership, European and F.A.Cup football games. The clientele in the café is young and old, families and couples, Cypriots and English and is a place for everyone in the local community. Café Café, Gregoris Afxentiou Street, Zygi. Telephone 24333192.

“MOSCOW TOURISM” by Don Campbell-Thomson

  We are sorry to report the passing of one of our staunchest readers, Celia Turvey, a very impressive and brave lady. We send our deepest condolences to her husband John, who you will remember wrote an article for us some months ago, and we have received the following letter from John :-

“I am just writing to thank you for your letter. Celia was indeed a great character and extremely brave. It has been heartening to find at this sad time how well Maroni residents have rallied round to give support. We are lucky to live in a good community, and the Maroni News plays a useful part in creating a good communal spirit”

We have also received a letter from Elsa Basden :- “Having discovered, through a Book Club I belong to in Nicosia, the pleasure of being able to discuss my latest read with other book worms I would love to start a Book Club here in Maroni Village. We would meet once a month in each others houses, to discuss the book of the month chosen by us. I have already sounded out some friends and so far have 3 girls interested. If anyone out there would like to join us we'd be delighted. Call me please on 24 333 053 or email me at cebasden@cytanet.com.cy . The first meeting will be on Tuesday 11th November at 3 p.m. at my house....14 Ay Minas [with your back to Mappouras Taverna walk thru the church yard and carry on in a straight line down to the bottom as far as you can go].... when we will discuss the details of setting up the club.

I do so hope we find enough people interested to join us and look forward to meeting and making new friends in the village.”

No invading army has succeeded in taking and holding the City of Moscow, and for sure, they were not welcomed with open arms when they tried. However a new army, be it ever so small at present, has succeeded in breaching the walls of the Kremlin. It's a new invasion of tourists and businessmen.

 Foreigners will be astonished at the Moscow of today, with its long straight wide streets, teeming with the latest versions of BMW, Aston Martins and Mercedes. Even the ubiquitous Lada has had a make over from Chevrolet, and looks good. Equally the fashionable avenues of Tverskaya are on a par with London and Paris, and just as pricey.

 The Kremlin is a must for the first time tourist, with its grand towers and magnificent architecture. St. Basil's Cathedral and the magnificent surrounding churches are also major Kodak moments. GUM department store would put Harrods to shame, for sheer size and grandeur. Don't be surprised to bump into the odd Lenin, Tsar Nicholas or Tsar Alexander offering to pose for your photographs. Gets a little bizarre, when you see three Lenins talking to each other. A tour of the Kremlin with its magnificent treasures, is a journey of appreciation of Russian skills. Good hotels are pricey, and low priced hotels are shabby, so shop around. Good market serviced flats are available, and certainly worth considering.

 Restaurants also range from the awful to marvellous, with some good value restaurants in between. The Matryoshka in Mayakovsky Square, and Drova beside the church in Red Square, are two examples of good value restaurants, with excellent buffet bars for around $15.00 a head. On the other side of Red Square you will pay $130 for two, for not much more than modem surroundings. Don't order imported wine, unless you are some sort of gourmet, as the Moldovan wine is very passable. The beer is excellent. I particularly like the way the brewer Baltika, rate the strengths of its beer from 0 to 9 on the label. ( 9 is equivalent to UK barley wine and really strong)

 The Metro is by far the best way to get around, and it's the epitome of fast and efficient public transport. Nobody rushes for trains, as they are less than one minute 40 sec between each other, and unlike the UK underground, they never stop! The stations are worth a visit on their own.

Take your camera or video for they are a wonderland of granite, marble, ironwork, mouldings sculptures, mosaics, lighting, statues and beautiful paintings.  The metro map is in Russian and phonetic English, with a colour code to help you. Walking around you will enjoy the street underpasses where you will find some great musicians. No, don't confuse these with buskers! We are talking up to 12 virtuosos, playing Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky . They say that in the USA kids start the violin, with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. In Russia the kids start with Tchaikovsky. Don't miss the wonder of the Bolshoi ballet but, if you do, there are several ballet and opera companies offering exciting programmes all the time. The Russians love their culture and the theatres and open air concerts are filled to capacity every night, and not just with tourists! In summer cruise boats ply the Moscow river and for the more intrepid, there is a 3 day cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. That could be your second week, as St Petersburg is beautiful. Forget shopping. There are no bargains in Moscow, unless you want to try the Freswy Stolen market at Tsaritsyno, but take a Russian speaker with you or you will be fleeced. For those of you who have grown up on newsreel shots of old lady "baboushkas" in permanent headscarves, wandering around Chenobyl and Chechnya, you are in for a pleasant surprise. The girls in Moscow are among the most beautiful and best dressed in the world. 42nd street could not hold a candle to the girls in Moscow, enjoy! One other very pleasant factor is that Moscow is safe! Don't let the sight of heavy looking men in black leather worry you, it’s just that security is tight in Moscow. The up side of that is that you can walk the streets of Moscow at night, without any apprehension, more than you do in New York or London. It's a magnificent city, still developing, with all the glitz of Paris or London, wrapped around grim reminders of previous grey Soviet times. It is still having some growing pains and missing some western facilities, like public toilets, so be prepared. Sheremetyevo airport is not the best organised airport in the world, so be ready for long queues at immigration, but take heart from the fact that it's even worse for Russian citizens trying to get into their own country. Be also prepared for the shambles in the baggage hall, but a trip to Moscow is an experience and will give you an insight into a country which has had a magnificent pre communist culture, and is now one of the fastest developing countries in the world at this time. Enjoy!

 Our neighbouring village of Khirokitia (or Choirokoitia in the new official spelling) is no doubt best known historically for the nearby Neolithic village, which is of great archaeological importance and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, it also had a significant role in the Medieval history of the island, being the location of a famous battle against the Saracens, and interesting buildings of this period are still to be seen there.

During the reign of King Janus (1398-1432), one of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus, a large contingent of Mamelukes from Egypt raided the island in July 1426. Gathering an army, the king marched south from Nicosia, stopping on the way at Pyrga (north of Stavrovouni), where there is a Royal Chapel dating to his reign with paintings including one showing king Janus and his queen, Charlotte. The next day the army continued to Khirokitia where there was a Commandery (a small stronghold of the knights of St John) which became the headquarters for the battle with the advancing Saracens which took place on 7th July on the “plain of Khirokitia”. A vivid eye-witness account of the battle is found in the famous Medieval Chronicle of Leontios Makhairas, for the chronicler was present, as “the king had put me in charge of the wine”. The rather disorganised Cypriot forces camped around the Commandery, taking up so much space that the herald needed half a day to go around announcing any new order. The wine ran out and there was fighting over the limited supplies (“a lad said “Where are we to go to get wine to drink, that we may face our enemies?” The marshal grew angry and hit him over the head.”). A letter from the Saracens to the king was regarded as insulting by his knights, who tortured to death the envoy who brought it, “a wicked and treacherous act which had never been done to an envoy”. A shooting star was seen the night before the battle, a bad omen for one side or the other. Discipline was bad and many refused to obey the appointed commanders. After clashing with the invaders, the largely inexperienced Cypriot army began to retreat. When the Saracens, fearing an ambush, reached the Commandery they found the body of their tortured envoy, advanced more aggressively, and killed the king’s brother Prince Henry. King Janus’ own retreat was slowed when his horse refused to pass a camel, and he would have been killed but for shouting out “melek” (“king” in Arabic), whereupon he was captured.

That night, the king’s brother Archbishop Hugh hastily took the remainder of the royal family and their treasure from Nicosia to refuge in Kyrenia Castle. The Moslems advanced towards Nicosia, burning and destroying as they went, and plundered the city, burning the king’s palace; eventually they left the island, having gathered enough plunder and slaves. Subsequently there was much disorder in the kingdom, with peasant leaders rising against the overlords. King Janus was taken to Egypt, subjected to various humiliations and “after his capture he never laughed again, so grieved was he”. A year later he was ransomed for a huge sum, and returned home where he died of a stroke a few years later. The Egyptian invasion, subsequent instability, and debts incurred to pay the ransom all contributed to the weakening of the Lusignan kingdom.

Part of the appeal of this story is that the location and buildings involved can still easily be seen (although some have been partly rebuilt since the time of the battle). If you take the road to Khirokitia village, it will lead you around the west side of the old village on its hill, from where there is a fine view on the left to the “plain of Khirokitia” where the battle took place, and as you come round to the north-west you can see the small church of Panayia tou Kambou (our Lady of the Field) where the knights must have prayed at the time of the battle, down in the fields. If you continue a little further north on the same road (which leads to Vavla, etc.) you soon find a brown sign on the left indicating the track to Panayia tou Kambou and what remains of the knights’ Commandery or “Royal House” (“Vasilicos Ekos” on the sign). The Royal Chapel at Pyrga where the king may have prayed on the way to the battle is a monument open to the public during official hours.

   Process and Procedure are the last hiding place of people without the wit and wisdom to do their job properly. Know your limitations and be content with them. Too much ambition results in promotion to a job you can't do. Make good use of your cylindrical filing unit, the one you mainly keep under your desk. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. Quitters never win, winners never quit. But those who never win and never quit are idiots.

If you're gonna be late, then be late and not just 2 minutes - make it an hour and enjoy your breakfast.

Remember the 3 golden rules:

1. It was like that when I got here.
2. I didn't do it.
3. (To your Boss) I like your style.

The office is like an army, and I'm the field general. You're my foot soldiers and customer quality is the WAR !!!

Set out to leave the first vapour trail in the blue-sky scenario.

Statistics are like a lamp-post to a drunken man - more for leaning on than illumination. A problem shared is a problem halved, so is your problem really yours or just half of someone else's? Is your work done? Are all pigs fed, watered and ready to fly?....

You don't have to be mad to work here, but you do have to be on time, well presented, a team player, customer service focused and sober!!

I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it was just some b*stard with a torch, bringing me more work.

Avoid employing unlucky people - throw half of the pile of CVs in the bin without reading them.

Put the key of despair into the lock of apathy. Turn the knob of mediocrity slowly and open the gates of despondency - welcome to a day in the average office.

REMINDER

Please don’t forget to tell advertisers, when visiting, that you saw their advert in this newsletter. Or on the web site:

 The President started his talk with Elli as interpreter following on each point by speaking in English. The outline of what the President had achieved in the village for the last year was the same speech that had been given to the Cypriot community a few weeks before.

• Pavements and other areas of rubbish in and around the village had been cleaned earlier in the year, for this the village had been given an award from the government.
• Roads from the village to the sea had been repaired and new roads have been made asphalt in some of the outlying areas.
• New paving in Maroni and planting of trees came to £7,000, also repairs to walls on some old buildings which are Turkish costing £4,000.
• More flagging had taken place in and around the village costing £5000.
• The village was inspected by a government department with the village president, by walking around with the view to enhance the traditional style, adding new paving and repairing walls. When we join the European Community the village will be able to apply for grants for some of this work.
• It is anticipated that another 9 roads will be built in the future giving access to some outlying land from the village.
• The pig farm which is an issue over many years has been raised with ministers from the government and will be moved some time in the future.
• A teacher is coming to the village to give lessons in Greek Dancing to two groups of young students.
• Electricity will be connected to the live stock farming areas a few kilometres north west of the village; this will be over head and at a cost of £50,000.
• The water pipes are very old in the village and require replacing following a minister’s inspection the cost of this will be £80,000, work will start in November and finish at the beginning of next year. Water will only be cut off as necessary as the old existing pipes will remain along side the new until the last minute.
• Following a decision from the water authority the price of water will go up next year as from the 1st of January to 44c a ton from the 33.5c at the present time.
• Roads from the village to the sea are being widened and a new road laid to continue the main east road through the village to the sea. This will give the village 3 roads to the sea at a cost of £260,000 of which the village will pay 10% the rest will come from the government.
• The hunting of blackcaps has been going on for generations and is a hobby of the villagers and we should respect the old traditions of the villagers in this custom as they will not give it up.

Questions were then asked and answers given on a range of subjects. A range of food and drinks were already laid out in the courtyard for everyone and informal discussions continued for an hour or more. We were all then thanked for our attendance and interest.