By Tracy Roth-Rotsas

The Anoi Pub & Bar in Kouklia is actually located within the Aphrodite Hills Resort complex and one of the few establishments which remains open all year round.

Particularly in winter, it is very inviting: warm earthen-toned décor, leather lounge chairs and bar stools, heavy wooden tables, thick curtains, and a sweeping bar that provides easy access from any part of the room due to its curvature. The array of beers on tap is moderate but supported by a greater selection of international ones in bottles. Cocktails are a specialty (especially in summer) and of course, wine, both local and international are available.

For football fans, the large flat screen TVs adorn virtually every free wall, but are strategically placed higher than usual and angled downwards, in an effort to compromise with people who would rather just enjoy a nice pub meal while on holiday.

In Summer, or on sunny Wintery days, there is a beautiful, spacious, covered terrace with spectacular panoramic views: Anoi Pub is one level above ground floor and reachable by a set of heavy steps…I hadn’t considered how that impacted physically-challenged people until writing this. Upon checking this, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there is actually a lift that is offered, should it be required.

Food-wise, the Anoi menu is not cheap – it is after all, situated within a five-star resort complex – however, for the money you pay, you do get a very large portion. The ribs, in particular were quite overwhelming and managed to get the better of us with a deliciously sticky sauce and tasty morsels of meat.

Probably one of the nicest aspects of the pub is the vibe. It’s casual but cosy. Warm and inviting on a winter’s night, but once the curtains are pulled back and the verandah doors opened wide, the light breeze, gorgeous views and warmth of summer could lure even the most reclusive of hermits out of hiding.

Service is fabulous, prompt, attentive and friendly!

Due to its location within the resort and the hotel right next door, the majority of its patrons are tourists, however every time I’ve visited, there has always been a spattering of locals, foreign locals, and regular visitors, so it seems to hold somewhat of a universal appeal.

Overall, Anoi Pub is a great venue to have a casual get together or a genuinely “nice” meal out with family or friends.

Anoi Pub & Bar

Where: Aphrodite Hills Resort, Kouklia

When: Open 3pm-midnight (Kitchen 4-10.30pm), reservations advised on weekends

Contact: 26-829480, www.aphroditehills.com/bar-restaurant/anoi-pub/

Price: mains €15-25, cocktails €7-8

Renewed calls to update archaic swimming pool regulations

Last summer, the private apartment complex, the Royal Seacrest in Kato Paphos, fell victim to Cyprus’ overly stringent regulations on swimming pools and had to close one of its major attractions.

Barring a miracle, summer 2019 promises more of the same: swimming will be banned.

The Royal Seacrest is a 104-apartment complex with two communal pools. Most of the apartments are used by holiday makers and only three owners and a handful of long-term renters live at the complex full time.

There was no warning that the two pools, which are separated by a bridge, may not be ‘legal’ until the municipality turned up to do an inspection last August. They told stunned owners the complex didn’t have the necessary swimming pool operating licence because the pools are regarded as public ones.

“This might be their definition, but it is only for use of our complex,” said Eoin Morgan, owner of one of the apartments and chairman of the complex’s management committee.

Authorities recognise only two types of pools. Private pools are those at a house that exclusively serves the needs of the family living there and their guests. Public pools are all other types, including shared pools catering for complexes like the Royal Seacrest. As such they are bound by the welter of regulations one would expect for obviously public facilities such as municipal swimming pools.

This means separate changing and shower rooms for men and women, drinking water fountains, foot baths and independent water analysis.

The list goes on.

“We also need a sanitation certificate, three lifeguards, a health and safety supervisor and a responsible person, and this cannot be a committee or association under the law,” said Morgan.

“In the unfortunate case of a drowning, this person can be liable for criminal negligence and could be prosecuted. This is a big stumbling block for us.”

He added that it is also impossible to find a lifeguard as they are in high demand and even Paphos municipality struggles to employ enough for their needs.

The Royal Seacrest pools are deemed public and are subject to strict regulations

Such stipulations all add up to thousands of euros in extra costs each year and has long led to calls for changes to the swimming pool law so that they are in line with more generous EU regulations.

Cyprus’ current swimming pool regulations date back to 1992.

“All swimming pools are regulated by the legislation and those not complying are in the process for legal action,” said Christos Christou, Paphos municipality’s public health Inspector.

Measures taken by the municipality vary depending on the seriousness of violations. They include both temporary and permanent closure of pools.

“There are also provisions to take the case to the court,” he said.

He said that municipal health inspectors visited almost all of the ’public’ pools within the municipal boundaries in 2018 and discovered that more than 170 were not covered by any pool licence.

“The absence of lifeguard, no building permits or a certificate of final approval and so on, means that the municipal services are obliged to take the owners or managers to court,” he said.

Paphos municipality is following the law and local authorities have to implement the legislation, he said.

“So whether the legislation is against the European one or there are problems arising from the implementation, this is nothing to do with the municipality.”

Christou added that swimming pools operating at hotels or large projects normally have an operating licence and no serious deficiencies were identified during the inspections of 2018.

Peyia councillor, Linda Leblanc, told the Cyprus Mail that she has long been campaigning to get Cyprus legislation to differentiate between private yet communal pools and those clearly open to the public at large.

She said the process to change the law should be easy enough as EU standards differentiate between pool use and does not allow for just two ‘types’ of pools as Cyprus does.

“I have been lobbying for this law to be changed for years and now it’s time to bring it up again. Cyprus has an obligation to adopt the EU regulations and I have been campaigning for this since 2007,” she told the Cyprus Mail.

Extensive requirements need to be met in order to be granted a licence, and most communal pools in Cyprus fall short of meeting them. It includes particular construction requirements and facilities, a qualified lifeguard on duty and a professional pool maintenance supervisor. The lifeguard, for each pool, must be on duty at all times during the pool’s operating hours.

But under EU standards, complexes that share a swimming pool for the use by the property owners, their guests and families are classed as a Type 3 swimming pool. This means it is covered by different standards to that of a public swimming pool.

“It wouldn’t require lifeguards and the other stipulations.”

Under this European standard, ‘public’ pools are defined as “open to everyone or to a defined group of users, not solely for the owner’s/proprietor’s/operator’s family and guests independently from paying an entrance fee”.

Twelve years ago, Leblanc, along with members of the Cyprus Property Action Group, wrote a letter to the then minister of the interior raising the issue, which she has brought up intermittently since, but as yet, nothing has happened.

In the meantime, Peyia municipality has taken an easier line than Paphos. After discussion with the mayor, Marinos Lambrou, Leblanc was assured that no prosecutions of communal pools in Peyia would be made.

“The mayor and council and very aware of the situation and something need to be done, this law needs to be amended urgently, the law is used all over Europe.”

None of which helps Morgan and others like him.

The complex’s committee decided it had no choice but to close the Royal Seacrest’s pools, surrounding them with locked fencing, which cost 7,500 euros, and a large sign reading ‘Swimming strictly prohibited’. Owners were informed that it would remain closed until a licence is obtained which under current legislation seems a highly unlikely outcome.

“It’s not that we don’t want to comply with the law, we do, but it seems impossible to do so and the cost is astronomical. The start of the season is fast approaching and we can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel,” Morgan said, adding that many of the apartment owners rely on income from renting out their proprieties.

Around one thousand visitors went through the complex during the high season last year and he said many won’t return because the pool is closed, although tantalisingly full of water and maintained.

“This will have a real impact on tourism if it continues, especially businesses nearby,” he said.

“We estimate that our communal fees would have to increase at least a 25 per cent to be able to comply with all of the requirements.”

Morgan said that despite numerous ‘polite’ meetings with the municipality, their position is that the law is followed. He said he is aware that many other people are flouting the law and their pools remain open, but since the committee has been made aware of the requirements, they wouldn’t take that stance.

“Imagine if we ignored the law and something happened.”

Green party MP, Charalambous Theopemptou, told the Cyprus Mail that no new legislation has recently been discussed at Parliament.

“The issue has been discussed for more than a decade and draft regulations were proposed but nothing came of it,” he said.

A petition calling for a fair and reasonable review of the swimming pool regulations for apartment complexes and resorts was set up last August. It has so far garnered over 4,400 signatures but needs another 4,000 to ensure that the government will investigate the matter.
To sign the petition click here 

The Larnaca municipal councillor Georgios Lakkotrypis was expelled from ruling party Disy on Wednesday after racist comments made on social media where he referred to Paphians as “spawn of the Turks”.

Furore broke out on social media on Tuesday after a Facebook comment by Lakkotrypis, a member of Disy, who called Paphos citizens “the only true Turks”.

“Turkish Cypriots were Paphians who changed faith to save their properties. In other words, spawn of the Turks,” he said.

Disy president Averof Neophytou responded by requesting the executive office to expel Lakkotrypis from the party. His request was unanimously accepted.

On Tuesday, Neophytou tweeted that “the position of G. Lakkotrypis has no place in the political discourse of Disy. Different views are respected but racist speech cannot be tolerated.”

Lakkotrypis was expelled from the party “due to his manifest violation of party principles and policies”, Disy said in its announcement on Wednesday.

By Bejay Browne

A stricken Tala building development located just above a busy road in Paphos is sliding down a hillside faster than ever following this winter’s heavy rainfall.

Residents and local officials are concerned that the buildings could come crashing down onto the road below – the main access road in and out of Kamares village – causing injury or even death.

“In the last two weeks there are dramatic, visible changes in the buildings and the road surface,” Kamares resident Irina Yakimovitch told the Sunday Mail. “A 60cm crack is now apparent between the development and a wall, two of the buildings are massively tilted and the road has huge ripples in it. There are two cracks in the road, one is about 15 cm wide. There is a huge wave in the road creating humps, this means that the building is moving fast.” The development, which consists of 14 units – four apartments, two villas and eight townhouses, (the latter still a concrete skeleton) – is the subject of a legal wrangle which saw the Paphos District Office (PDO), the responsible body, apply to court for a demolition order for the buildings in February 2016.

The request failed because of legal procedures and technicalities, according to Mary Lambrou, the Paphos District Officer. The PDO has appealed this result, which is now before the Supreme Court.

Large cracks have appeared in the Tala development (Irina Yakimovich)

Tremetoushiotis Developers Ltd – operating under the umbrella of Top Cyprus Properties – were responsible for the construction of the development, but have said that they would never have gone ahead with construction if they had been aware that the land was ‘problematic’ to build on.

All of the necessary permits and licenses were issued for the project prior to construction, although Lambrou said that some building permit stipulations were not followed, such as retaining walls were constructed too high, at four metres instead of two.

All residents and owners were forced to leave after authorities deemed the properties unfit for habitation.

“We are monitoring the situation closely. There is no direct risk to public safety at the moment, but there is a later risk. This is the opinion of our civil engineers and others,” Lambrou told the Sunday Mail.

She said that in addition to the PDO civil engineer, a private civil engineer is carrying out an independent study of the development, which will be examined by an ‘ad hoc’ committee consisting of three civil engineers in the coming days. The committee will oversee any additional safety measures.

“We expect a decision from the supreme court by the end of this month or the beginning of April,” Lambrou said.

She explained initial meetings were held between the developers and the PDO where suggestions were made to demolish the top half of the property, leaving the bottom part which at the time had little damage.

“The developers decided not to cooperate with us. However, they did make arrangements with the property buyers to compensate them and we have not received any complaints about that,” she said.

As well as waiting for a decision from the court another avenue is open to the authorities said Lambrou.

“There is a clause in the streets and buildings law if there is danger to the public, then we can proceed ourselves (to demolish) after a notice to the owners. In case there are expenses, we could then sue the developers to recover our costs,” she said.

The damaged road in front of the crumbling development (Irina Yakimovich)

Local Tala councillor Cathi Delaney has written to Lambrou to raise concerns about the condition of the buildings and the effect on the road.

“There are assurances from the District Office engineers and other officials that if the building is going to slip there will be drastic changes before any slippage occurs. If the building reaches this stage, the road in front will be closed and traffic diverted,” she said.

Delaney added that the estimated demolition/site clearance costs are in the region of €250,000/€300,000.

“There is regular monitoring of the property and everyone is concerned that the wet winter has taken its toll on the property,” she said. “The deterioration is obvious.”

Kamares resident Rowena Moore has lived in the area for 25 years and drives past the crumbling development daily. She said changes to the buildings and road in the past couple of weeks have been swift.

“It concerns me what is happening under the road. The splits in the buildings are getting wider and the entire project could end up crumbling onto the road. Sooner or later someone will end up injured or worse. If there was an earth tremor, it could all come tumbling down.”

On Thursday, Tala council decided to temporarily close the road for a couple of days while machinery removes large pieces of rubble that has been washed down the hillside in heavy rain.

“The road will reopen next week and this work is not connected with the buildings that are built on the hillside,” community leader Areti Pieridou told the Sunday Mail on Friday.

It was so disgusting and disturbing to watch everyone pile on Disy municipal councillor Georgios Lakkotrypis for his post on social media where he described Paphians as the “spawn of the Turks.”

Though tactless, his comment was by no means racist. Let’s get our concepts straight: offensive does not equal racist. The two may overlap at times, but not always, and definitely not in this case.

Yet in almost zero time Lakkotrypis was branded a chauvinist. Disy chief Averof Neophytou, pandering to the politically-correct mob baying for blood, promptly got the municipal councillor ejected from the party.

What a display of sheer cowardice by Neophytou – not to mention every other member of Disy, none of whom had the guts to stand up to the ‘consensus’ and the media commentariat – lest they in turn be accused of defending a presumed racist.

Lakkotrypis wrote on Facebook: “Turkish Cypriots were Paphians who changed faith to save their properties. In other words, spawn of the Turks.”

Here’s why it isn’t racist: say someone calls you “spawn of the Turks” and you take that as offensive or racist. Now think about it. Why did you take offence? Isn’t it because you yourself assume – or even happen to believe inwardly – that there’s something wrong with being Turkish? And hence you interpreted “Turkish spawn” as an insult? Well, that’s it exactly.

Needless to say, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being Turkish or Greek or Eskimo. But the fact you were offended, shows that you yourself are obsessed with race. Because it is you who assumes that it’s bad to be called a Turk.

Read his comment again: Lakkotrypis spoke no ill of Turks or Turkish Cypriots. Rather, it’s crystal clear he was accusing certain people of being ‘phony Greeks’. You can assume all you want about his motives. Assumptions count for nothing.

Can we peer into Lakkotrypis’ soul to see what lies there? No. But even supposing he is racist, as bad as that is, it is his right. So long as he does not act on it.

Indeed the fellow may not have a racist bone in his body. No matter; from now on he’ll be known as “that guy,” his reputation and possibly his career wrecked. And for what? All for a momentary lapse, as if a single moment can encapsulate an entire lifetime and what a person stands for. The hysterical reaction was typical of the rigid, draconian and no-nuance mindset of the radical Left, obsessed with appearance and not substance.

The episode captures the intellectual terrorism gripping the West and which has now, sadly, arrived on our shores. So-called “hate speech,” imagined or real, is being used to shut down free speech. Where everyone is afraid of their own shadow. And where virtue-signalling tattletales are celebrated.

All speech should be allowed. The second you place any restrictions, it’s not free speech anymore. Racist views should be permitted as well. Not because we like them, but precisely because we don’t like them. It’s vital that we’re able to talk about anything and everything. Suppressing something under an artifice of propriety does not make it go away. Better to air it.

The risk of being ‘offended’ pales in comparison to safeguarding the right to say anything you want without repercussion. Because free speech is the cornerstone of a free society. Lose that, and you lose everything.

I was also disappointed with Lakkotrypis for apologising and deleting his post. Rather than stand up for himself, he let the pack intimidate him.

[Name withheld]

Sunset Breeze in Paphos is a cosy, welcoming neighbourhood venue that serves a wide selection of drinks, snacks and meals all at a reasonable cost.

Set off the main coastal road in Kissonerga (on the way to the Cynthiana Beach hotel), this is a popular casual spot with good service, modern decor and lovely staff.

Opened in 2013, Sunset Breeze is hugely popular with locals, especially expats, and has a fair share of customers holidaying in Paphos as there are a number of hotels and tourist apartments close by.

An outdoor terrace is an appealing place to savour a glass of wine, cocktail, soft drink of tea or coffee. Enjoy the Mediterranean sea in the distance from the shaded outdoor terrace which is dotted with shrubs and plants that add a splash of colour.

The modern white interior is clean and bright and offset with various shades of blue. Chairs and tables are well spaced and comfortable and the overall atmosphere is welcoming.

An array of hot drinks include Capuccino at €2.90 and a selection of teas at €2.50, while €6.50 for a 20cl bottle of Treviso DOC prosecco is well priced, and there is also a good selection of wines, including new world wines and offerings from local wineries. A glass of Andesitis Kyperounda Winery is €4.25, Tsangarides Xinisteri €4.25 a glass, and a selection of popular cocktails include Margarita at €5.80 and a refreshing Pimms at €5.50.

If you like vodka, try the Sunset Breeze cocktail at €5.80 or if you prefer something non-alcoholic the Elderflower Spritzer at €4.50 is delicious.

If time is not pressing, you may find yourself meeting friends for a drink and extending your visit to include a snack or meal and won’t be disappointed.

Food is of a high quality and well priced, a daily lunch menu, which consists of a soup of the day and a main course is only €7.99.

An a la carte menu is also available, as is afternoon tea with pre- booking.

Sunset Breeze is also well-known for its Sunday Lunch (book ahead) which is flavourful and only €9.99. A vegetarian option is also available.

Children are also catered for and there is a small play area. Events, weddings and parties are often held here and catering for up to eighty guests is available.

Sunset Breeze is a great venue with friendly staff, excellent value for money and boasts a large number of repeat customers. It’s easy to see why.

Sunset Breeze

Where: 35 Mosfilion Street, Kissonerga, Paphos

When: 11am-11pm

Contact: 26-940791, 96-239030, 96-239029, office@sunsetbreeze.net

Price: Price: Beer from €2.20, Prosecco €6.50 Treviso DOC, 20cl, Margarita €5.80

Elderflower spritzer €4.50

A protest against the creation of a new Cathedral to be built in Paphos town hall gardens was held Thursday evening. The contentious issue was the first item slated to be discussed at Thursday night’s council meeting, according to authorities.

“We will discuss this matter this evening and apparently, even though we had information that the state had found a solution to exchange the municipal garden, which belongs to the Church, with land in Larnaca and we understood that this had been settled, apparently now the agreement has been overturned,” Paphos councillor, Andreas Chrysanthou told the Cyprus Mail on Thursday afternoon.

The protest against a new cathedral being built on the central garden was organised by concerned citizens and supported by the Paphos Green Party outside the town hall.

Andreas Evlavis, secretary of the Paphos Greens said that they are opposed to the idea of building anything on this space, which should be available for use by the public.

“This argument has been going on for far too long and the space is run down and not cared for. It needs to be looked after and made possible for people to visit and not run down as it is now,” he said.

He added that as the only green space in the middle of Paphos, the gardens should remain as such, noting that as the Church owns many other plots around Paphos, they are able to build a new place of worship ‘anywhere.’

Evlavis added that the Greens were calling for a referendum as that the public may decide if they wish a Cathedral to built on the space or not, as this is the democratic way.

This view is being supported by some of the town’s councillors, he added.

Chrysanthou confirmed this, although he said that the subject was now rather more complicated.

“It’s a complex issue. Some of the councillors favour a local referendum, and others have opposing views, it’s a real mixture,” he said.

The disagreement began after the public gardens were returned to the owners, the Church, when a long-term agreement expired in 2005. The church had rented it to the municipality on a long lease and instead of continuing the agreement, as the municipality had hoped, the Church expressed a desire to build a cathedral on the grounds instead.

It was thought that the matter had been resolved and in October 2016, Mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos, posted on his personal Facebook page: “Good news! A big story of the city is resolved permanently. In agreement with the church and the state, the public garden becomes public property with an exchange. With respect and without fanfare, we managed to understand each other.”

However, this is all now up in the air, said Chrysathou, following the Bishop of Paphos expressing his desire to use one third of the space to create a new cathedral (of around 730 square metres) in exchange for giving the municipality two thirds of the garden.

The councillor added that the municipality was also facing a civil court case, the first hearing of which is scheduled for June 1, as the Church is claiming that the garden area is valued at €26.1m but that this has been slashed by stipulations put in place by the municipality.

“They are saying that as we limited the building co-efficient to one per cent in this area, it has devalued the land,” he said.
Chryasanthou noted that ten years ago, the municipality also had an evaluation undertaken which valued the grounds at €16.8m.

“Even if the parties met in the middle, who would pay the colossal amount of money, how could the municipality manage that.”
Evlavis added that the Church was not a business and is supposed to be there to serve the citizens.

The rejection on Thursday night by Paphos municipal council of a proposal to build a new cathedral in the gardens of the town hall, is likely to see the matter ultimately put before the council of ministers, a local councillor said on Friday.

Paphos council voted by a majority against the proposal to build a new cathedral at Thursday night’s meeting.

Paphos councillor, Andreas Chrysanthou, told the Cyprus Mail on Friday that the council vote was in the majority against accepting the Bishop of Paphos’ intention to submit an application for a town planning licence.

“Seven councillors, including me, voted for the intention and one proposed a people’s referendum on the subject,” he said. Twelve voted against.

The contentious issue has been rumbling on for years and the council previously believed that the state had found a solution to exchange the municipal garden, which belongs to the Church, with land in Larnaca back in 2016.

Chrysanthou noted that the council understood that this had been settled, but apparently not, as the Bishop again put forward a proposal for a new cathedral, he said.

Recently, the Bishop of Paphos expressed his intent to apply for a building permit to use one third of the space to create a new cathedral (of around 730 square metres) in exchange for giving the municipality two thirds of the garden.

The matter will now go before a special committee that will decide independently if the application will be accepted, but a similar application was turned down in 2010, noted Chrysanthou.

“It will then go before the council of ministers for their decision, which is final. I don’t know how they will vote. My belief is that there won’t be a church built here, but you never know,” he said.

Andreas Evlavis, the secretary of the Paphos green party, said they are opposed to the idea of building anything on this space. The Greens say it should be available for use by the public. Evlavis took part in a public demonstration at the town hall on Thursday evening during the council meeting.

He said that around one hundred concerned citizens, many of them young people, had turned up to add their voice to the opposition of creating a Cathedral in the park.

“It filled me with hope to see so many of the younger generation at the demo and showing they care about their town. I believe it made the councillors think more about which way they were voting,” he said.

The disagreement began after the public gardens were returned to the owners, the Church, when a long-term agreement expired in 2005. The church had rented it to the municipality on a long lease and instead of continuing the agreement, as the municipality had hoped, the Church expressed a desire to build a cathedral on the grounds instead.

He added that the vote was important as the garden is the only green space in the middle of Paphos and should remain as such. He noted that as the Church owns many other plots around Paphos, they are able to build a new place of worship ‘anywhere.’

The next step, he said, is to upgrade the gardens and create a space that the public will want to visit, as at present it has been left and is like a dead space.

“It needs to be made into an area where people want to spend time, with things for children to play on and to attract people as it did before,” he said.

Paphos public transport company Osypa said on Friday it would not run one of its school routes next week until further notice after a firecracker went off in a bus full of pupils.

According to the police, a firecracker exploded in one of the company’s buses on Friday when it was running the school route between Yeroskipou and the communities of Timi, Anarita and Mandria.

The incident was reported by the company, which said it would not operate the same route next week until further notice for the safety of pupils, the driver and other vehicles.

No injuries or damage were recorded.

Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis assured on Friday there was no cause for concern over a private reservoir in Ha Potami, Paphos, whose embankment looks like it has partially collapsed.

Kadis said the private company is drafting an action plan and has put measures in place.

“There does not seem to be any problem at the moment,” he said.

As a precaution, however, the authorities, including the police, are on stand-by.

“The situation is under control, it is manageable and is being monitored continuously,” he said.

Reports emerged on Thursday evening that the earthfill dam was leaking and there were fears the water could affect the Limassol to Paphos motorway if it burst. Police issued a warning to motorists that there might be road closures as a private dam could overflow during the night.

According to Green party MP Charalambos Theopemptou the reservoir was constructed to provide water for a golf course nearby.

The party said the dam was illegal for years, an issue raised in past reports by the auditor-general.

The Greens said it had been built without the necessary environmental studies and planning permits.

A planning permit was issued in 2006 on condition that the applicant would also secure permission to intervene on government land. In 2008, the cabinet rejected the company’s application for the permission. The Paphos district administration asked the company to demolish the dam by the end of May 2009.

Eventually, it was granted a permit in 2012.

“Today’s events are a continuation of the improper legitimisation of illegal facilities constructed without planning and studies,” Theopemptou said.

The dam in question was approved by town planning in an “unorthodox way” despite the strong disagreements of environmental groups.

A relatively new sport aimed at the over 50s is already gaining momentum in Paphos following the recent creation of a ‘walking football’ group.

“Twenty-four players aged from 50 to those approaching 80 have already registered with us and we are hoping to attract even more,” Ian Charlesworth (Charlie) told the Sunday Mail.

Launched just six weeks ago, ‘Paphos United Walking Football’ is attracting Paphos residents who hail from all over the globe, said Charlie who is group secretary.

Walking football is predominantly aimed at the over 50s, although those in their 40s will be accepted in Paphos. The game involves playing football without running, sprinting or jogging. It’s a non-contact sport and the ball should not travel above head height.

Currently matches are played with five or six a side and sessions are for men and women.

Some of the team with Charlie front row fourth from right

Charlie said that although a certain amount of skill is involved, players possess varying degrees of ability, and the aim of the initiative is for participants to enjoy the experience, which comes with the benefits of physical exercise, activity and social interaction.

“These are the three F’s under which we operate: fun, friendship and fitness,” he said.

Walking football was devised in 2011, by the Chesterfield FC Community Trust in the UK, as part of the ‘Extra Time Initiative’ aimed at people aged 50 years and over. Its aim is to keep people involved with football who may have mobility issues or for other reasons are not able to play a traditional game.

‘The Football Project’, a Nicosia-based organisation is looking to help walking football progress in Cyprus and cooperate with the Cyprus Football Federation to help promote the sport to create an association and national leagues in the future.

Walking football is a current UK ‘craze’ after coverage of a session featured on Sky Sports News and a documentary broadcast on Sky Sports Football.

Several other clubs have adopted the game and support is growing daily, with over 1,200 registered teams in UK.

“Although walking football is based on association football, the main difference is that, if a player runs, then they concede a free kick to the other side.”

This means players learning a whole new approach

There is also a ban on slide tackles, part of a set of rules to ‘level the playing field’ for those who may have a physical disadvantage.

“We do have a couple of ex-professionals playing,” said Charlie, including one from Denmark, who’s in his 70s and very fit.

Walking football promotes cardiovascular fitness and produces little stress on the body.

The beauty of the game is that it is suitable for everyone, and currently one of the players, a 77-year-old man, is able to play despite having a double knee replacement, he said.

Next week, the UK’s Graham Collier, a current England Walking Football Over 60s International, who played professional football for Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe United, will be joining the group to undertake some coaching and offer helpful tips.

In June, the ‘England Walking Football Over 60s’ manager, Stuart Langworthy, will also attend a couple of sessions.

“He thinks it will become huge here and he’s got experience of setting up a team in UK. They started their team with only four players and just four years later, they have 60 players in their squads. They are now one of the best teams in England,” said Charlie.

The ‘Paphos United Walking Football’ sessions take place every Tuesday morning at 9.45am at the ‘AM Fair Game’ sports centre Tremithousa, and also at the Tala community council football ground.

‘Paphos United Walking Football’ has a Facebook page which is kept up to date.

For further information: Malcolm-96645449 or Charlie-96742836

Email: malcbushel@sky.com

Paphos communities on Tuesday called on the competent state services to promptly record the damage to the crops caused from extreme weather conditions in their area on Monday, the worst of the last 50 years, some said.

Hail on Monday caused severe damage to vineyards, citrus and almond trees in Peyia, Miliou and Yiolou. Community leaders of the areas in question called for prompt response by the state for compensation of the stricken producers.

Yiolou community leader, Stavros Vrahnou, told the Cyprus news Agency that this was the worst damage he has seen in the last 50 years. The hail damaged deciduous, citrus and almond trees, he said, adding that the competent state services ought to promptly record damage so that the affected producers are compensated.

In total 30 families that own vineyards in Miliou have been affected by Monday’s adverse weather, the community’s leader, Eva Chrysanthou said, albeit, “luckily”, most use the produce for their own consumption.

She added that damage was also recorded on citrus and other fruit-bearing trees.

The hail damaged the blooms of many peach and apricot trees meaning that producers will not be able to harvest the crops, Chrysanthou said.

Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis said that the picture was not yet clear as to the extent of the destruction but that officials of the farming insurance agency (OGA) would assess damage so that compensation would be paid to those found to have been affected.

Developers of a stricken project that is sliding down a hillside in Tala have been found guilty of not complying with the terms of a building permit at the Supreme Court, Paphos District Officer Mary Lambrou told the Cyprus Mail.

“On March 27, the Supreme Court found the developers guilty of undertaking several alterations and not proceeding according to the permit given and thus causing the problems being experienced,” she said.

She added that the Paphos District Office, PDO, is waiting for the court to decide on the final penalty, which may include ordering the demolition of the development.

Recent heavy rainfall has accelerated the problems with huge cracks appearing in buildings which are tilting, and ripples and cracks apparent on the busy Kamares road beneath.

Tremetoushiotis Developers Ltd (established in 1992)– operating under the umbrella of Top Cyprus Properties– were responsible for the construction of the development, but have said that they would never have gone ahead with construction if they had been aware that the land was ‘problematic’ to build on. They have argued that the fault lies with the authorities.

“We wouldn’t buy the plots if we knew there was an issue with the subsoil on the area and even if we found out afterwards, would we build there. We have suffered financial damage of more than €3.5m for the construction, and have reimbursed the owners of the properties with an additional cost of €750.000,” a representative of the developers, Christis Tremetoushiotis, told the Cyprus Mail.

In August 2003, the developers purchased three residential plots from Ayios Neophytos Monastery with a building allowance of 60 per cent.

“Residential plots is important as a term, as according to planning and building law it is translated to plots where the owner is allowed, and also safe to build on them without any limitations or precautions.”

He said that in a map issued in 2003 by the Cyprus Geological department, were published only for governmental use by the inspectors of the building permit applications prior to any approval.

“We have applied for a building permit in 2005, and it was approved without any notes or remarks in 2007.” Construction got underway in 2008 and by 2010, five of the fourteen units were delivered to the owners.

“The rest of the complex was paused due to the recession and we planned to finish it upon sale,” he said.

However, in 2011 following a period of heavy rainfall, problems started appearing with the first cracks around the buildings and the parking areas becoming apparent. Since then, there is a continuous movement of the underground subsoil, he said.

“Immediately without accepting any liability regarding the issues, our company offered the owners of properties in the complex alternative properties in another of our complexes of equal value.”

The developer cannot afford to proceed with the demolition, he said.

In 2011 the PDO proceed with court action against the company for not following the terms of the building permit, something which the developer refutes.

Tremetoushiotis has contacted residents to provide them with information and details about the case, the history and procedures taken by the developers until now, he said.

“As we have informed the PDO and ministry of interior with letters dated 18/02/2016 and earlier this month, the danger is obvious, and we gave our permission to the PDO to take any necessary actions even if this is to demolish the whole complex in order to protect the area, residents and those who drive by.”

Tremetoushiotis said the developers understand everyone’s concern and they have every right to be worried, as the mountains movement is like a ‘time bomb’ for the condition of the structure.

“The PDO suggested a few measures in 2013 which they have undertaken, which they said would stabilise the movement – according to the findings of a survey they did.”

However, he said that there is evidence of the movement of the entire mountain, clearly visible for all. “The problem is not on the surface or even 20-30 metres deep, the problem goes much deeper, and whatever someone suggests to be done on the surface or even 15-20 metres down cannot stabilise a moving mountain.”

“The PDO suggested a few measures in 2013 which they have undertaken, which they said would stabilise the movement – according to the findings of a survey they did.”

However, he said that there is evidence of the movement of the entire mountain, clearly visible for all. “The problem is not on the surface or even 20-30 metres deep, the problem goes much deeper, and whatever someone suggests to be done on the surface or even 15-20 metres down cannot stabilise a moving mountain.”

By Sarah Coyne

A friend whose gastronomic opinion I trust implicitly told me that there were only two excellent fish restaurants in Paphos, so I wondered if The Monkfish, which has recently opened on the coast road, perhaps could be a third option?

The restaurant is sited one floor up in a large white development on the road between Paphos and Coral Bay and to serve everyone’s needs is accessed by stairs or a lift. Once upstairs there are extensive terraces with direct sea views which will be wonderful in the summer months. The inside area has a very smart vibe and reminds me of a trendy London restaurant. Wooden tables and very comfortable rattan chairs mix with art all centred around a huge fish chandelier. The tables were all set with sparkling glassware and exquisite cutlery.

The Monkfish is a lifelong dream of chef George Halkides and his wife Jaana. They have worked together for the last 18 years running the restaurant at Secret Valley Golf Club. Over the years with his passion for cooking fish, he has longed for a place by the sea where he could be known for his seafood. The charming Janna works front of house. The menu is extensive but with one very strict rule: all the fish is fresh and never frozen. George has been a keen fisherman since childhood and fishes in his spare time off the Akamas but most of his fish are bought locally from just two fishermen.

We were surprised to be presented with a beautiful basket of seeded bread and complimentary fish soup to start the evening off.

There is a choice of eight starters with a couple of non fish options for those who don’t enjoy seafood. Although we liked the sound of all of them, we decided to share two between us. First up, the battered king prawns and vegetables which were coated with avocado and wasabi cream. The presentation was amazing (but the green king prawns did look slightly strange) and the taste was sublime; I can’t remember enjoying a starter quite as much. Thankfully the wasabi was very mild! The other starter was grilled octopus glazed with honey and lemon served with a taro potato puree and an aubergine dip. The octopus was beautifully cooked and the whole concoction was a medley of various tastes that went very well together.

Moving to the main courses, the most popular is the fish meze at €25. I liked the way that there was no list on the menu as to what was included in the meze, as George explained that it changes every day depending on availability. There are ten other fish mains and first on the list are the monkfish medallions, which are George’s favourite fish. Again my partner and I decided to share, a salmon steak and a sea bass. The salmon steak was a very generous portion served with a butter sauce and herb crust. It was cooked to perfection with nice flaky chunks as you cut into it. The sea bass was served with a sauce of capers and black olives, delicate enough not to overpower the fish. For the lobster lover they are available from the aquarium.

Other main non fish options ranged from a rib eye steak to a Caesar salad which means that guests who are not keen on fish are very well catered for. There is even a vegan option in the form of stricoli pasta. We were very full after our three courses so declined dessert but the neighbouring table was very impressed with their panna cotta, one of five options priced at a very reasonable €4.

There is an excellent wine list ranging from local wines at €15 upwards and from around the world, to a bottle of Cristal brut champagne at €285. The Monkish is a smart venue with a wonderful menu and somewhere we will definitely return to. I’ll also be telling my friend that I found a third option for him to enjoy fresh fish in Paphos and I am very sure he will be suitably impressed.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Fresh fish

WHERE The Monkfish, Mediterranean Plaza, Kissonerga, Paphos

WHEN 6pm – 11pm Wednesday to Monday. Also Sunday lunch 12.30-3.30pm

CONTACT 26 931222

PRICE Main courses €10-52

A contract to build a new municipal multi-purpose centre in Paphos will be signed at the town hall on Thursday.

The new centre comes with a price tag of €3,665,200 and will offer social and cultural activities, as well as care for infants and young children, a spokesperson for Paphos municipal social welfare said.

“This is a great development for Paphos and much needed. Other municipalities have similar centres and this will be good for the people here. The municipality has upgraded the squares and other areas and offered cultural events to the people and now this centre is a very good infrastructure that is much needed,” she said.

The building will be created over three floors, the top one will be used as a day centre for elderly people and have a separate entrance.

Older residents of Paphos will be able to enjoy all sorts of activities including, dancing, painting singing and crafting. They will also be able to buy lunch at only €3.

The further two floors will be used as a children’s centre to offer childcare for infants from four months up to pre-school age.

“We saw a need to help mums after their maternity leave has finished and they need to go back to work. It’s difficult to find someone to take care of their babies,” the spokeswoman said.

There will also be an afternoon centre where children can be brought after school to eat and do their homework.

A similar after school centre in Kato Paphos currently looks after 100 children and there is a long waiting list. This highlights the urgent need for something similar in Paphos centre, she said.

The construction of the new building will get underway soon and it is due to be completed in around fifteen to eighteen months.

The contract for will be signed with contractor AN Ioannou Construction Ltd on Thursday.

A new app using augmented reality technology will be launched in six months and enable visitors to use their mobile phones to find out about Paphos hotspots of interest, according to Paphos Municipality.

“The new app will make it possible to turn your phone to the building and see and hear all of the information about that place,” a municipality spokesman told the Cyprus Mail.

Buildings and places of interest will include the archaeological park in Kato Paphos, the Tomb of the Kings, all sorts pf places in Paphos centre such as the town hall’ library and schools, the Markideio Theatre and Ibrahim’s Khan.

“This is an invaluable tool to place in the hands of every foreign visitor who wants to get to know our city and to know about every point of interest by using only the mobile phone.”

On Wednesday, Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos signed a contract with Pyramind Services Ltd for the creation of a digital tourism, culture and entrepreneurship platform, as well as augmented reality and e-democracy application, totaling €122,570.

The mayor said that using such apps the municipality offers a great way of using technology directly into the hands of 1.7 million tourists that visit Paphos every year, and not only for foreign tourists, but also for local residents to get to know the area.

“While it makes our town more friendly to visitors, Paphos is also entering the new digital age,” he said.

The platform for tourism, culture and entrepreneurship will include all points of tourist and cultural interest in Paphos as well as information on business and the natural environment. Both the digital platform and the applications are implemented within the Smart Cities project and will be ready for use within six months.

Within the framework of this programme, the competition for the procurement and installation of Wi-FI hotspots and touch screens in the town to which the platform will be connected will be announced shortly. The Smart Cities project is being implemented within the framework of the INTERREG V-A Cross-Border Cooperation Programme: Greece-Cyprus 2014-2020 and Paphos Municipality is a lead partner. Partners are also the municipalities of Chania and Lesbos.

CASINO operator Melco announced on Thursday the location of its two new satellite establishments in Ayia Napa and Paphos, which will be up and running by the end of the year.

The Ayia Napa casino will be located on Archbishop Makarios Avenue, next to Faros Hotel, in the heart of the popular holiday resort, and is expected to open its doors this summer.

The Paphos venue will be located in Yeroskipou, on the main coastal road, and will be ready by the end of the year.

The company has so far opened three casinos, a temporary one in Limassol, which will be the home of the flagship casino resort, City of Dreams, expected to be completed late in 2021, and two satellite venues in Nicosia and Larnaca.

The Property President of City of Dreams Mediterranean and C2, Craig Ballantyne, noted that the chosen locations are ideal for the project’s scope, as they will be in the heart of the cities’ tourist areas.

“Both C2 and City of Dreams Mediterranean aim to help establish Cyprus as a year-round destination and contribute to the growth of the tourism market as well as sustainable economic growth. We are excited to be expanding the entertainment offerings in these two vibrant cities,” Ballantyne said.

The Paphos venue, at the end of Aphrodite Avenue, will be built on a 2600m² plot with the building taking up nearly 550m².

Both satellite casinos will feature approximately 50 state-of-the-art slot machines as stipulated in the relevant legislation

Indian nationals living in Paphos will be able to undertake necessary consular affairs at a special office donated by the municipality, according to a spokesman.

At the request of Indian High Commissioner Dr RK Raghavan, Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos, agreed to donate the monthly use of an office which forms part of the newly-renovated Attikon outdoor theatre space.

“Once a month on a Sunday consular staff from Nicosia will use the office to service the needs of their Indian compatriots in Paphos so that they don’t have to travel all the way to the capital,” the spokesman said.

The Indian High Commissioner made the request during a meeting with the mayor on Thursday at the town hall, held to further strengthen ties.

According to the Indian High Commission website, India-Cyprus political relations have been maintained and strengthened through a series of high-level visits over the years. Almost all the presidents of the republic of Cyprus have paid state visits to India.

The most recent was by President Nicos Anastasiades in April 2017.

The High Commissioner explained that there was a large number of Indians currently living and working in Paphos, that have to travel often to Nicosia for consular services, such as visas and residents permits, the municipality spokesman said.

“These people are living and working in Paphos and it is difficult for them to get time from work and it takes time and money to travel to Nicosia, which some have to do frequently. This will greatly help them,” he said.

According to the High Commission, in December 2018, the Indian community in Cyprus was around 7,700. The number of permanent residents is small, with the greatest number consisting of domestic workers (2,696), Indian students studying in private colleges in Cyprus (3,007), plus farm workers, professionals, computer engineers and software programmers.

As well as software development, other companies employing Indian nationals in Cyprus include, merchant shipping, shipping management, banking, tourism, the tobacco industry, and market research companies

The mayor said that he gladly accepted the request from “one of Cyprus’ friends”.

During the meeting, the pair also discussed further cooperation on cultural issues and decided to co-organise an Indian cultural event in Paphos in July.

“We are currently discussing what exactly this will be and will make an announcement in the future,” the municipality spokesman said.

An outdoor market is being held in Paphos on Saturday is expected to attract hundreds of people.

The first ‘Sunset Street Market’ will be held at the large car park outside Revival fashion store and the Paphos Post newspaper office, set back on the main coastal road in Kissonerga.

Stalls and ‘car booters’ will be selling all sorts, and refreshments and snacks will also be on offer.

Bric-a-brac, beauty items, beadwork, purses, jewellery, clothes, bed linen and embroidered items will all be on sale.

A ‘G and T’ bar will be serving gin and tonic and chilled prosecco and music will be provided by DJ Dave and his ‘Jukebox jive’ so that visitors can party, shop and snack as the sun goes down.

People can also bring donations of non-perishable foodstuffs – such as pasta, rice and tinned goods, for the ‘Matthew 25 Feed the Hungry in Paphos’ project, which is run by the Paphos Christian Fellowship International PCFI. The Matthew 25 project helps to feed tens of families in Paphos every other week by giving them a bag of basic necessities.

A similar night market event takes place every Christmas.

Paphos Sunset Street market will open at 4pm on Saturday April 13, and close just after sunset.

Car park outside Revival Fashion store and the Paphos Post newspaper on the main Paphos to Coral Bay road. Tel: 26-632564

Working with animal welfare groups to help improve lives of stray cats and dogs

By Bejay Browne

Hotels are catering to animal-loving tourists by teaming up with animal welfare charities and launching programmes to improve the lives of stray dogs and cats.

With Cyprus’ stray cat and dog population estimated at around 200,000 to 250,000, initiatives to keep those numbers down are clearly welcomed by animal welfare groups.

Just last week, a couple of these more recent cat initiatives at Aphrodite Hills hotel and Columbia Beach resort were featured in the UK’s Telegraph newspaper.

Paphos-based animal charity Animal Rescue Cyprus featured in the newspaper for its cooperation with Aphrodite Hills hotel where feeding stations and a sort of ‘cat hotel’ have sprung up under the watchful eye of manager Nicholas Kittis, said the charity’s Oana Bodnaras.

Animal Rescue Cyprus has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the resort.

“For a long time we have trapped, neutered and returned the cats from the area. There are a lot there and they have embraced the cats. They are creating ‘Kittis cat hotel’, named after the manager, and have built special cat houses for them to sleep in, in certain areas and feeding stations as well.”

Bodnaras said that children and tourists enjoy visiting the cats and that the charity hopes more hotels will follow suit.

“Cyprus is a popular holiday destination, so our overall aim is that all sorts of establishments will become more and more pet friendly.”

Animal Rescue Cyprus has also teamed up with five-star luxury hotel Almyra – the first pet friendly hotel in Paphos complete with dog park – to hold a dog adoption day in May.

The Almyra approached the charity to hold a double event. One is their annual dog party where the public is encouraged to bring their dogs to the hotel dog park. The second is a dog adoption day.

Bodnaras said dogs from the shelter will be special guests at the event where the public will be able to adopt them, sponsor them or other dogs at the shelter.

“This is a great chance to find the dogs a lovely home and an important event for us, like other similar occasions, to raise awareness of the work we do and the plight of unwanted animals in Cyprus.”

The shelter currently has around 500 dogs and puppies looking for homes as well as cats, donkeys, rabbits, horses and goats.

Almyra hotel manager, Radu Mitroi, told the Sunday Mail that the hotel decided to hold an adoption day as they recognise the issue of shelter dogs on the island and wanted to do something to help.

“It’s very important for us to be involved in such actions as we have to live together in synergy on the island, people and animals, side by side. We must do what we can in order to assist and make it happen,” he said.

The hotel became dog friendly last year.

“People are traveling with their dogs which are part of their family, so this is an added value we wanted to provide for our guests as a unique experience. We also built a designated dog park at the hotel.”

Almyra spoils pets with VID, a “Very Important Dog” service. Play dates in the dog park and a special menu for discerning dogs are all available.

The hotel’s dog park has a designated fenced dog run area, walkways, lawns, a water station and an obstacle course and dogs can run free here. There is also room service for dogs, the menu includes five main courses and two desserts!

Another animal welfare charity has long been aware of how animal-loving tourists can help stray dogs and cats in Cyprus. Paphos charity, Paws, joined forces with the Aldiana hotel in Larnaca many years ago, in a bid to rehome many of the district’s unwanted dogs in new homes in Germany.

A large number of the shelter’s dogs find new homes in Germany through the work of the facility’s sister charity, Zypern Hunde.

“Most of the holiday makers staying at this hotel are from Germany and they let us ‘attach’ a dog as their luggage and they accompany them on the flight home back to Germany where the dogs are rehomed. The dogs need to be accompanied on the trip and the arrangement works well,” shelter manager, Matthew Harris told the Sunday Mail.

In return, the animal charity supports the hotel with any stray dogs they encounter. Paws will take the animals to their shelter in Achelia, near Paphos airport, with the aim of finding them homes. The facility cares for around 150 abandoned, rescued and abused dogs.

The shelter has to rehome as many dogs as possible to keep functioning on a daily basis, said Harris. They exist solely on donations, fund-raising, sponsorship and money raised through their charity shop.

Dogs remain at the shelter for around one to three years on average before they find homes and the shelter does not euthanise any healthy dogs.

The second hotel to feature in the Telegraph is the Columbia Beach resort in Pissouri Bay. They started cat shelters in the hotel grounds almost a decade ago and operate the Columbia Cat Care Project (CCCP) with the main aim of neutering and vaccinating the cats, ensuring that they are well-fed and groomed.

The hotel blog notes that witnessing the ever-increasing number of cats on the island – with no place to formally call home – Columbia Hotels and Resorts felt inspired to do what they could to aid the cats’ healthy living and also protect the environment.

They say that guests may support the CCCP project in a number of ways, firstly by not feeding the cats around the grounds or at any of the restaurants to help maintain their daily routine.

Guests may also become a ‘Godparent’, take part in the name a cat programme, or officially adopt one of the project’s cats, ‘taking more than just memories of Columbia home’.

Bodnaras said it would be fantastic if more hotels in Cyprus were pet friendly, undertook similar schemes and held adoption days.

“It would be nice to see more pets accepted in shops and coffee shops, under the right circumstances.”