Dec issue

GrapevineCyprus.com December 2014

Fi F rs R M t F EE on r th ida ly y

a window on your world

Š Grapevine • December 2014

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Š Grapevine • December 2014

Upfront The end of another great year looms before us and since Christmas is the time for peace and goodwill, let’s forget about any negatives and enjoy the festive season with our family and friends. The Grapevine team and all our Advertisers extend warm wishes for a perfect holiday season and the hope that 2015 will bring new hope and growth to all your dreams of the future.

Our ever-popular food section is again packed with scrumptious holiday recipes; to.eat and to drink, take a look at pages 10 – 13. There are also lots of events to attend throughout the month, check them out on page 8 However, don’t lose sight of the real reason we celebrate Christmas – the New Testament Church has ‘Carols by Candlelight’ Services on Page 34 which you can attend.

Christmas Collage Photographed by Picalotta

Contents

We wish all of you out there a jolly happy Christmas and a healthy & wealthy 2015!

Back next year!

News & Views

2- 9

Food & Drink

10 - 12

Homelife

13 - 18

In Colour

19 - 22

Market Place

P.S. The Grapevine office will be closed from 16th December and will reopen on distribution day the 2nd January.

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Out & About

24 - 25

Wellbeing

26 - 37

Smalls Grapevine Information

38 below

Next Issue Friday, 2nd January

Catch up online www.grapevinecyprus .com

Grapevine Details Contact information

Office Telephone:

26 819167

Postal address: PO box 62068, 8060 Paphos Office address: Marias Loizidou 24A, Paphos.

Office OPEN 9am-2pm , Monday - Friday (9am -12pm on Wednesday)

Email: grapevine@cytanet.com.cy Website: www.GrapevineCyprus.com Deadline for all finished Adverts and Submissions 15th of the preceding month. See website for advertising rates Grapevine Magazine does not hold itself responsible for the accuracy or opinions of correspondents. Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Any complaints should be taken up with the advertiser.

With thanks to all our advertisers and contributors for the articles / photos / ads that makes Grapevine the leader of the pack - we aim to stay leader and will continue to innovate and change to make sure our readers and advertisers are getting the best service on the island

© Grapevine • December 2014

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Tending Tents

by Barbara Strain

December; hardly the time of year to think about camping in Cyprus. Yet a recent newspaper article has me concerned about what is going to happen to our favourite campsite next summer.

Polis Mayor, Angelos Georgiou, is pushing for the implementation of a master plan to change the site’s set-up. Although it is creditable that he would like to improve the site and attract more visitors, I question the basis of much of this master plan.

During the years we have been camping at Polis we have met a wide range of peoples. There are young Cypriots; families, couples and groups of youths. There are school parties with some degree of organisation from their teachers. We’ve met people new to camping, as well as ‘old hands’.

There have been adventurous tourists of many nationalities. Amongst these was a young woman riding her motorcycle back to Europe from Africa and a French couple awaiting the arrival of their campervan that had been shipped from Pakistan, as they were advised not to drive through Afghanistan.

enjoy the beach. Irrespective of the number of campers, these blocks are busy during the season.

In a word they are inadequate.

A couple of years ago there were some superficial improvements; a coat of paint, the odd bit of plumbing. However, the main faults remain.

The toilets do not have an adequate flushing system and also become blocked very easily. Some of the stalls have been closed up, presumably because of plumbing defects. Hand dryers don’t work, taps flop about, toilet paper supplies are inadequate. The main criticism is of the lack of hot water in the showers. There are solar panels on the roofs of each block, but the water is warm at best and those who do get a decent shower really do consider themselves lucky.

I haven’t seen the much vaunted master plan, but would presume that improvements in this direction are a major part of it.

What has been mentioned, though, is the provision of roads, of hard standing for caravans, a playground and allocated spaces for tents. Oh, and ‘configuration of a natural spring’.

The site is used by a diverse set of people.

Invariably they love the setting. Invariably their one complaint is the state of the toilet and shower blocks.

The roads through the campsite are dirt tracks.

Heavy vehicles move through during the winter and leave deep ruts, resulting in difficult navigation for cars. However, I doubt anyone wants ‘proper’ paved roads.

These facilities are shared by users and employees of the beach bar and by anyone who comes to

As to hard standing for caravans – well, the

experience of the Troodos campsite suggests that this is NOT what ordinary campers want.

It becomes a cheap second home for people who have no intention of communing with nature or enjoying the environment.

A playground. Well, why not. But surely there’s no need. There are open spaces for kids to play, there’s the beach, the sea even.

Allocated spaces for tents implies more regimentation than most campers would like. The freedom to pick your own spot and set up camp as you like is part of the enjoyment.

There is a ‘natural spring’ running through the camp. It is clogged with rubbish and it’s a source of mosquitos in the summer. Would ‘configuration’ stop this?

The business of trees being lopped and the beach being decimated are over-reported in the press, as those campers who did visit last summer can attest.

What the site needs is simplicity; fix the basics .

A few thousand euros, not millions. Renovate – thoroughly – the toilet blocks, proving adequate and working facilities. Please. Now. Before next season.

Been to a good Restaurant or Taverna lately?

Grapevine always welcomes reviews from its readers from places to eat that are just that little bit special.

If you need help please email us for our Restaurant questionnaire, which you can fill in and return to us. grapevine@cytanet.com.cy

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© Grapevine • December 2014

Local news Cancer Patient’s Brave Cycle Ride

Julian Buckland, a recovering cancer patient, has just completed a three-day east to west solo cycle ride across Cyprus to raise about €2,500 for The Friends’ Hospice in Paphos.

He began his mountain bike journey on Friday near Cape Apostolos Andreas at easternmost tip of the island’s panhandle and completed the journey on Sunday afternoon at Paphos Harbour. The trip took him first to Kyenia and then to Polis before his descent across the Akamas to Peyia and onwards to Kato Paphos.

Altogether he covered 360 kilometres, sometimes averaging speeds of 30 kilometres an hour on the bike loaned to him by the Easy Ride shop in Paphos.

“The worst part of the journey was Saturday, when I was caught in almost non-stop torrential rain,“ he said. “At times, visibility was down to 10 metres.”

That same rain resulted in enormous problems for the traversing of the Akamas peninsula. “It turned the whole area into a sea of red mud, making it really hard to peddle through,” he said.

Julian, known to his friends as ‘J’, had a kidney removed a few months ago when a small, routine operation revealed a cancerous tumour. “It was a real shock,” he said. “I had no idea I had cancer. There was no illness, no sign whatsoever. I went into a real dark mental hole when I was given the news.”

Fortunately, ‘J’ had always kept himself fit from his years in the British Army, so his recovery period was shorter and easier that might have been expected after such a major medical procedure.

“A friend of mine, who also suffered from cancer, was on the support committee of The Friends’ Hospice, so I decided I would try to raise some money to help them in the good work they do for the community.”

His wife, Josephine (‘José’) and friends formed a support team for the arduous cycle ride, accompanying ‘J’ in motor vehicles along the journey to ensure he did not need medical assistance and that he remained hydrated and properly nourished with high-protein meals and snacks.

Crowds of well-wishers and tourists gathered at the harbour on Sunday to cheer him along the last part of his east-west trip across the island.

A native of Charlton Mackrell near Somerton in Somerset, ‘J’ served as an avionics engineer in the forces, supporting the helicopters of the Army’s Air Corps. Afterwards, he spent seventeen years in Saudi Arabia.

The money raised was by family members and through public sponsorship at the Hospice’s four charity shops.

The Friends’ Hospice first opened in 2006 and since then has offered palliative care to almost 1,000 patients suffering from illnesses for which cure is no longer possible. It is the only establishment of its kind operating outside of Nicosia.

Writing competition “So similar, so different, so European.” Writing competition on EU enlargement – now open!

The European Commission has just launched a writing competition entitled ‘So similar, so different, so European’. Young people from across Europe are invited to share their views in an article of max. 1000 words, on one or both of the following questions related to the enlargement of the European Union: • What is your experience in an enlarged European Union?

• How can the enlarged European Union meet the challenges of the future?

“Our enlargement policy is a cornerstone of the European peace project. By helping our friends realize their European aspirations, we create shared stability and prosperity around our Union. I am sure that this writing competition will produce exciting and creative works and will inspire a new generation of young Europeans who will build our common home together in the future.” – said Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.

The writing competition runs until 27 February 2015 (midday CET) and is open to young people aged 18-25 who are citizens of the 28 EU Member States.

National juries will select one winner per country, who will be invited to Brussels on a three-day study visit. Their winning articles will also be published by the European Commission and be offered to Europe’s leading media for publication.

For more information on the writing competition and on how to participate, visit the website.

Contact: David Grivet (David.Grivet@icfi.com), Press officer at ICF Mostra, +32 2 537 44 00 For questions on EU Enlargement, please contact Ms Anca Paduraru, Anca.

Paduraru@ec.europa.eu, +32 2 296 64 30

Kamares Christmas Bazaar Despite the stormy weather local people came out in high numbers to visit the annual Christmas Bazaar held on Saturday 15th November at Kamares Club, Tala, The event attracted over 50 stall holders displaying their home made and imported goods. The day raised 1580€ for local charities, with over 850 euro’s being donated to the Cancer Patients Support Group.

Organisers In Any Event said ‘The event gets bigger every year and even in the storms people came to support the crafters. Unfortunately the entertainment programme was hampered but DJ Boycie carried on throughout the day playing festive music to entertain everyone. Even Santa Claus paid a surprise visit bringing gifts for the children’.

© Grapevine • December 2014

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Vanishing Cyprus - Glorious Revolution of the Mind

by Andreas C Chrysafis

It all starts with one idea - the power of the mind! An idea actually never dies but blossoms into a powerful force that can make radical changes, or it can equally grow into a powerful bad idea to be used for evil purposes. The world has seen both and yet it’s not much wiser today than yesterday.

Atrocities continue indiscriminately and the gap in social inequality is getting wider by the day. In a world full of excess, opulence, knowledge and intelligence one experiences famine, poverty and barbarities committed by devious and corrupt minds.

Powerful nations often resort to extreme methods and trigger regime changes that pose an obstacle to their own economic or political interests.

In fact those pseudo-policies have shown they are no more than a pretext allegedly to “democratize” nations. In all cases they have produced the opposite results. One has seen meddling for regime change in Syria, Ukraine, Iraq, Libya and many other countries; all victims of clandestine interference by outsiders! Conflict, economic turmoil and nation-disintegration often follow after such meddling!

Today, war by deception has become the ultimate form of violence and making wars is certainly a profitable enterprise for both bankers and industry alike but most importantly, it diverts public attention from troublesome domestic issues. Blaming others for one’s own mistakes has been refined into an art of grand deception.

Hitler quickly recognized how effective “diversion of responsibility by deception” was and used it indiscriminately. In order to control the minds of the masses, he blamed the Jews and other ethnic minorities for Germany’s domestic, social and economic woes. The “rabble” swallowed those lies like manna from heaven and did not object to his evil plans - the rest is history!

Spinning the truth without a doubt has been a very effective tool for manipulation. To maintain supremacy the political elite and its associated media-mongrels refined the “fallacy of democracy” in such a convincing way that citizens actually believe that by voting they have a say in government.

Unfortunately, the fable of “people power” is simply a fable and that myth is as true today as it has ever been. As it always has been, a privileged minority class has controlled the majority and will continue doing so in a similar way as the Athenian democracy did to the Hellenes. It will take a social miracle and a Glorious Revolution of the Mind to change the status quo.

As things stand, the presence of democracy does not always guarantee that citizens’ wishes will be equally represented. That has never been the case.

Throughout all democratic nations immigrants and ethnic minorities hardly receive the same rights as the majority of citizens. This disparity is found right across all countries with little –if any - chance of eradicating this inequality.

The cherished idea of Direct Democracy as envisioned by the Athenians, where every citizen has an equal say in the workings of government and which allows each individual to participate in a rule “by the people for the people” never really existed. Political autocrats and a select sector in society have done away with that principle and replaced it with Politicocracy (Kommatokratia) where Political Parties are now the country’s new masters.

This new political arrangement grew strong by splitting social order on the basis of ideology and thus setting one group against another. The Cold War between East and West - communism versus capitalism – is a classic example of how powerful nations influenced the masses by using indoctrination to gain power over the minds of the people; control the mind and one controls the nation!

Inevitably, people were grouped into separate social pens and branded with political party dogmas; some advocating liberalism, conservatism, 6

© Grapevine • December 2014

capitalism, socialism, communism and more “isms”. Yet in principle, political parties are not much different from one another for they all aim to gain power and to govern the nation as they see fit and primarily to serve their own support base.

In fact, political parties are relatively new and came into existence in the last couple of hundred years. It all began after the bloodless Revolution (168889) to overthrow King James II of England and the accession of his daughter Mary II and her husband William III of Orange.

John Locke (1632-1704) one of the most influential English philosophers along with other prominent thinkers advocated classical liberalism, a philosophy in which primary emphasis was vested in securing the freedom of the individual by limiting the power of the government – at least that was the essence of the theory! Robert Peel, another prominent aristocrat, set about assembling a coalition of forces and issued the Tamworth Manifesto (1834), which set the basic principle of Conservatism. The Whigs along with “free trade” and “radicals” under Lord Palmerstone, also an aristocrat, in 1859 formed the Liberal Party. Founded in 1900, the Labour Party a centre left political party grew out of the Trade Union movement and socialist political parties of the nineteenth century.

Party survival was paramount and in order to avoid fragmentation it had to be controlled and bring rebellious thinking into fold. William Ewart Gladstone came up with an idea and created new selection procedures of party candidates. In 1884 he imposed a firm “party pledge of obedience”, which obliged MPs to vote as a bloc in parliament on all occasions. The freedom of the mind had been culled and MPs had no other alternative but to follow the party line or they were ousted. It was a powerful political blackmailing tactic that worked wonderfully; no MPs were prepared to destroy their political careers.

British colonialism had become the springboard for the Political Party concept that soon spread across the colonies and beyond.

Cyprus was not excluded from such influence but with a vast difference.

Where western citizens used common sense to elect the best man or the best party policies presented on political platforms, in Cyprus such thinking never flourished. As a small rural and a poor island it became an easy target for dogma domination between capitalism and communism. The church of Cyprus also had an influence over the minds of the people and since communism advocated atheism, the Communist Party on the island was doomed to fail for disregarding the spiritual needs of people.

At the height of the Cold War, the island was split politically to the point that political parties began treating the opposition as enemies. That’s how primitive thinking had become due to overbearing bad politics. This frictional principle had spread right across society. Entire families did not vote for the best policies but for “The Party” and that soon became a way of life and passed on to future generations. Freedom of the mind had stagnated with a new player on the scene: Politicocracy (Kommatokratia).

One is wiser than others by being aware of his/her own ignorance but not in this case. Cypriots were trapped in a system that did not allow them freedom of expression or of the mind. Bombarded by political dogmatic influences citizens failed to rise above the threshold of subservience and xenomania.

The cure for ignorance can only be knowledge but such knowledge was never provided by a proper education system to produce free-minded citizens to aim for excellence based on merit. One of education’s primary missions is to produce good citizens empowered with a free spirit and with the ability to judge and decide what’s best for them, their community and the country.

Unfortunately, staunch political dogmatism prevented such radical thinking because it relied on obedience in order to survive as an entity.

In fact, politicians ignore one of the most fundamental principles in society - the recognition that the fate of a nation depends entirely on the education of its youth. Instead, political parties endeavour to condition the minds of its youth by establishing youth movements aligned with the “mother-party”.

This is one way to ensure continued political party membership growth and

Poem of the Month: Clothes Moth gain influence over the minds of the young to win elections.

By Beryl Hollands

Established on the “fallacy of democracy”, political parties soon played a major role in dividing the people into three socio-economic classes: the dominating class, the elites and the masses. Tension between the dominating class and the elites causes the masses to seek out protection of their democratic rights. In so doing, they invest all their power and hopes in a political party demagogue, who, in turn becomes corrupted by power and ultimately becomes a despot under the principle of a democratically-elected government, which then governs under an elected dictatorship.

I buy this and that to keep you away,

In fact, political parties have managed to acquire a privileged status that applies to no other. They are exempt: from taxation, profit disclosure and property portfolio; they are not obliged to be accountable or transparent and nor are they obliged to disclose their financial support base. In a fair-minded society that cannot be right but it is a great feat of connivances.

Of wool and cloth,

For the small island of Cyprus this has become even more apparent due to its turmoil past and present for that matter. A radical thinking is required to trigger major changes that will then develop a nation based on equality and flourish under the Rule of Law; a society that will grasp the idea – long missing - that nobody is above the law of the land and that nobody is beneath the law. Only then will a fair society spring into existence to make people feel secure.

Ultimately, a Glorious Revolution of the Mind will bring about those wonderful changes.

But what is it? It is that precise precious moment when citizens decide to speak out with a free mind against injustice, corruption and nepotism; it is that one special day when they recognize that Politicocracy (Kommatokratia) is simply another form of control of the masses and once liberated, they will then vote for a democratic party and a leadership of their own free choice and not succumb to pressure by the political-party hierarchy. It is that glorious instant when decent citizens recognize they can make good things happen; it is that moment when their voice of reason starts to influence the media and those in power; it is that moment when they acknowledge that, as citizens of the state, they have the power to demand the Right to Know; it is that moment when they acknowledge that they have a crucial role to play in the affairs of their local community; and it also is that moment when citizens take active steps to stop destroying the environment and preserve nature’s gift to mankind.

Still you insist on coming my way, Ready for church to wear Sunday best, Only to find you’ve eaten my vest.

Mr. Moth: I’ve had enough What? Can I do to keep you at bay, You are not wanted, stay away, your appetite insurmountable Mopping away, to find your stay, you hide in my home, Knowing full well I will be along, to take you out, The damage is done? Again you have won, There must be reasons for you to be here?

Then do what nature gave you to do, Leave my cloths and clothes alone, I dread to think what my wool dress will be like Having had you in it all night, Lavender nets all draped around, All you hate I have found, Make no mistake?

I will win in the end, your life with me, Will no longer be.

Mr. Moth: I’ve had enough, nature has given you plenty you eat, Do not rely on me for your Sunday treat

It is that moment when citizens start to demand accountability and transparency from their peers;; it is even that wonderful moment to demand that justice not only is to be done but must be seen to be done and it is that magnificent moment when they call for the respect of Rule of Law right across the land..It is also that moment when people accept that as individuals have a positive role to play in society; and it is that great moment when people finally weed out from their perfumed garden those pests and parasites for one last time before they bring the house down. That is the start of a Glorious Revolution of the Mind…

© Grapevine • December 2014

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Diary 0f events December

6th (Sat) table top sale St Barnabas Church Limassol. Pitches which must be booked in advance cost €10 each excluding tables; these are an additional €5 each. For any queries or further information please call on 99356451.

6th (Sat) Black and Gold Christmas Ball Elea Estates, Geroskipou - 7.30pm Welcome drink, four course gourmet meal including wine, beer and soft drinks when dinner commences. Dancing until Midnight. Sponsored by Blevin Franks. A perfect evening for couples, groups or businesses. The ideal venue and an amazing menu. Tickets €60 call 99 387 311or e-mail, mail@in-any-event.biz 7th (Sun) Farmers & Crafters Market Pano Akourdaleia Herb Garden, 10am-2pm. Contact 99993412/ 96425879

11th Dec (Thurs) LIGHT UP A LIFE Agia Kyriaki church, by St Paul’s Pillar at 6pm Details from Mary Penny 96398641.

All proceeds are for Archangel Michael Hospice.

13th Sat PARC 10am to 2pm Christmas Fair Coral Star on main road facing Philippos Supermarket, Coral Bay. If you wish to book a table at our Table Top Sales (€10 per table) please call Fiona on 96589430 or Jean 96219797.

13th Sat Cancer Patients Support Group Christmas Dinner Dance to be held at The King Evelthon Hotel7 for 7.30pm.

Three course buffet includes local wine, beers and soft drinks - Entertainment by Mike Modeo and The Paphos Zingers Price €35 (includes a donation to CPSG). All proceeds from the Raffle and Auction will go to the Cancer Patients Support Group.

Call Maxine on 26 272701 if you would like to join her table.You can also book and make up your own table by calling Karen on 99370103 or Tracey on 99005354 13th Sat CPSG Christmas Dinner Dance 7:00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. Coral Beach Hotel. Full 3 course buffet including local wine, beers and soft drinks for only €35.00pp. A portion of this ticket price goes to the Charity. Mike Mondeo and The Paphos Zingers will be providing the entertainment and there will be a Raffle & Auction with all proceeds going to the Cancer Patients Support Group Paphos. To secure your tickets please call Tracey Rowe on 99005354 or Karen Roe on 99370103. Overnight rooms (B&B) can be booked for a cost of €92.00 per double room.

14th (Sun) Xmas Fair at the Anása Community Wellness Centre 9am to 5pm at Kefallinias 15 (Behind the Pandanasa Church). Funds raised will benefit th Cyprus Autism Association and the Anasa Therapy Pool Building Fund. You are invited to join us for a day full of activities, events and stalls including Horse Carriage Rides, Choirs, Dancing, Handmade Crafts and Gifts, Coffee Shop, Festive Food, Santa, Clown, Facepainting, Plants and Flowers, Covered Stalls, Books and much more. The Fair will be followed by a Cocktail Party and Dance from 7 to 11pm.

14th (Sun) Christmas Festival Zante Cafe Restaurant, Sante Irene, Limassol 10am – 4pm. Supporting Cancer Patients Support Group. Local Arts and Crafts. Snacks and Refreshments.

Entertainment. For further information call 99 387 311 or e-mail, mail@in-any-event.biz

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© Grapevine • December 2014

For this month’s live music listings visit www.nitbats.com

18th Thursday Blues Brothers Christmas Show and Dinner Elea Estates, Geroskipou. 7.30pm. Welcome drink, 3 course Christmas style meal.

Blues Brothers Show and dancing until Midnight. Limited Number of tickets available. Tickets €45 call 99 387 311 or mail@in-any-event.biz 20th Sat An evening with The Paphos Zingers at Elea Golf Club For as little as €7.50 Sing with a bling. Starts at 8pm with an evening of seasonal songs and entertainment, a visit from Santa and all the convivial surroundings of Elea. An optional food platter will also be available. For bookings and further information contact Ruth on 9938907.

21th (Sun) Farmers & Crafters Market Pano Akourdaleia Herb Garden, 10am-2pm . Roasted chestnuts and homemade herbal mulled wine made from our own village grapes. This day will be full of festive cheer and a chance for some last minute shopping for quality homemade presents and fresh organic groceries. Contact 99993412/ 96425879 24th Xmas Eve Breakfast at Christos Café in the Market at Paphos from 10.00 am. By popular demand once again this year. Come and join us for traditional English Breakfast €3.50. Coffee/Tea or something stronger. Christmas music to sing to played by Wendy. Raffle in aid of the Cancer Patients Support Group.

Contact Maxine on 26 272701 to join our tables.

New Years Eve Magical Gala Ball Antara Palace, Polis – 8pm – 2.30am. Champagne Reception, 5 course Gala Dinner, Table top Magic, Live Entertainment until 12.30am, DJ until 2.30am– plus many spectacular surprises throughout the night. Tickets €110 – call 99 387 311 or e-mail, mail@in-any-event.biz Boxing Day Swim by Graham Angel 11 A.M. at the Vardas Beach. All proceeds to The Cancer Patients Support Group and The Friends Hospice. Graham is a member of the UKCA and is keen to raise money for these two well known charities. Please come and join him on Boxing Day either by spending 10 minutes in the water at Vardas Beach or by cheering him on. (The road to the beach is to the side of the Atlantic Hotel). The UKCA have very kindly invited everyone back to the club house for hot soup and crusty bread at €3 or a meal which I am told is from €5.50. There are also toasted sandwiches. As a gesture of Christmas Good Will there will be no charge for non-members.

NITBATS MUSIC FRIENDSHIP GROUP

Designed to meet once a month for those who would like to attend local music events. Open to singles or those who may have a partner away.

A small and friendly group with ‘music in mind’.

Please see www.nitbats.com ‘Events’ page, ‘Monthly Live Events’ for details, or email Jan at nitbats@hotmail.com tel: 99760796/26642838 (answer phone).

Church Groups

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF PAPHOS

Sunday Services - Ayia Kyriaki, Kato Paphos - 8.15am and 6.00pm Holy Eucharist (4th Sunday Choral Evensong); St Luke’s, Prodromi - 9.30am Holy Communion; St Stephen’s, Tala - 11.00am Holy Communion. Wednesdays Ayia Kyriaki 9.00am, Holy Eucharist. Contact: Church Office - 26-953044 or 99-212627.

NEW TESTAMENT COMMUNITY CHURCH

Every Sunday 10.30am at the Ascos Coral Beach Hotel, Coral Bay. A variety of midweek home groups and social outreach activities, etc. For more info, tel. Elder Mike Smith 97-650960, email mikeg4bte@gmail.com.

Directory of Societies, Clubs, Groups and Regular Meetings Paphos Alcoholics Anonymous, tel. 99-916331 or 99-399240

The Aircrew Association Cyprus, for Military Aircrew, tel. 26-815347 (island wide)

Al-Anon family groups. Tel 97-699256 alanonpaphos@yahoo.com

The Pajero Club of Paphos, www.pajeroclubofpaphos.com

Alzheimer Self Help Group, tel. 26-621530

Women’s Corona Society, tel. 26-652253 or 99-496153

Bereavement Support Group, tel. 99-312662, 99-224147, 99-175510 or 99-541278

Limassol

The Royal British Legion, tel. 99 135894

British Guides in Cyprus, tel Michele 99-172549

Alcoholics Anonymous, tel. 25-368265 or 99-559322

Cancer Patients Support Group, Coffee Morning, tel. 26-654007

Bridge in Pissouri.com Every Friday at 2 Friends Restaurant. tel. 99-667592

Cancer Patients Support, Craft Group, tel. 26-654007

C3A Cyprus 3rd Age, www.c3a-cyprus.org/limassol

Cancer Support Group & Info Help Line, tel. 97-760989

Cyprus Services Rambling Club, tel. 99-292092

Chicago Bridge, tel. 26-937551 or 99-557829

Cyprus Women of Today, tel. 99-358525

Children’s Craft Workshops, Saturdays 10am, tel. 99-079194

Food for Friends, tel. 25-634487

C3A Cyprus 3rd Age, www.c3a-cyprus.org/paphos

PAPHOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL

Cyprus Samaritans, tel. 77-777267, Freephone 80007773

Friends for Life Limassol Hospice Care, tel. 25-343000 or Admissions 99-189796

We welcome you to worship with us at 10.30am each Sunday. We are now at the former Welcome Inn, 12 Adamantiou Korai St, Paphos. Elder Mike 99175985 and Elder Mark 99930070

Diabetes Support Group, tel. 99-861279

Happy Valley Hash House Harriers, tel. 99-434794

Duplicate Bridge, twice weekly at 6.45pm. www.bridgewebs.com/ paphosbridgeclub

Limassol (Coeur de Lion) Lions Club, tel. 99-921290

LATIN PARISH OF PAPHOS Anyone is welcome. Holy Mass times at Agia Kyriaki Chrisopolitissa, Kato Paphos: Saturdays 18.00 (valid for Sunday), Sundays 10.00 (Latin), 11.00 (English-Polish), 12.00 (English); at Latin Parish Hall, Tombs of Kings Rd: Saturdays 16.00 (valid for Sunday); at St. Nicolas Church, Polis, Saturdays 10.00; at Columbia Resort, Pissouri, Sundays 18.00. Parish Priest: Fr. Carlos Ferrero. Tel: 26-931308. www.stpauls-catholic-parish-paphos.com

THERE IS A REFORMED CHURCH IN LIMASSOL

Where the message of Christ’s saving power & love is proclaimed & the Biblical view of His Kingdom taught.

All are welcome. International Evangelical Church (Reformed), 352 St. Andrew’s Street, 1st floor (near the Municipal Gardens) Services 10.30am Sunday, Bible study 7pm Wednesday. Tel. 99-384742 or email: iec.limassol@gmail.com for more info

CHRIST EMBASSY CHURCH

Invites you to join them for praise and worship each Sunday at 10.00am at No 20, 25th of March St, Paphos.

Holy Communion is celebrated on first Sunday of each month. Tel. 99-757138

Easy Strollers Walking Group, suehampson1971@aol.com Fitness for Life, tel. Yvonne 99-034576 Good Vibrations, Wednesdays 99 14 8892. www. goodvibrationscyprus.com

Limassol Bridge Club, Mon & Fri 3.30pm, tel.

99-645338 Man City Cyprus Limassol, tel. 99-130711 or 99-812393 RAFA Aphrodite Branch Meeting. Tel 99-298723

Harmony Ladies at Angelikas, Chloraka Coast Road. Second Thursday of each month, 10am-12pm.

Royal Logistic Corps Association, tel. 25-717002

Jukebox Jiving, tel. 96-349276

The Limassol Ladies Club, tel. 99-951910

‘Learn about your Body’ Last Friday of every month For more info call 99 993412 or email caroline@heavenonearthherbals.com

The Royal British Legion, tel. 25-315313

Table Tennis at UKCA, tel. Antonio 99-334706

Line Dancing, Jane tel. 99-762047

Toastmasters International, tel. 99-754042 or 97-744285, www.limassol-toastmasters.com

Coral Star Restaurant 10.30am Thurs, Coral Bay, Paphos

Line Dancing, Frank tel. 99-424965

Larnaca

Tel. 24-652331

P.A.S.Y.K.A.F. (Paphos Bereavement Support Group - Saying Goodbye), tel. 99-312662

Alcoholics Anonymous, tel. 24-645523 or 99-344339

Tel. 24-651327

PALMS (Paphos Area Ladies Multi-national Society), tel. 99-341929

New Friends Coffee Morning,

Int. Evangelical Church, Larnaca,

St. Helen’s Anglican Church, Larnaca, St Barnabas’ Anglican Church Limassol

Paphos International Sailing Club (PISC), www.pisc.org.cy

Antidote Theatre Workshops, tel. 24-822677 or www.theatreantidote.com Arsenal Cyprus Larnaca, tel. 99-015699

Opposite the Old Hospital. Sunday Communion at 10am with Junior Church & monthly 11+ group on 2nd Sundays. Paphos Writers Group, tel. Nikki 99-012601 or see Tel. Derek on 96-612371 stbac@spidernet.com.cy www.paphoswritersgroup.com www.stbarnabas-cyprus.com

Chicago Bridge Club, tel. 97-671192

GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN Church in Paphos

Scottish Country Dancing, tel. 99-298512

St John Ambulance, British Forces Overseas, Dhekelia, tel. 99-378054

All German-speaking Christians are warmly invited to a church service, second Saturday of each month at Ayia Kyriaki Church (St. Paul’s Pillars), Paphos at 4pm.

Tel. 26-270619. Please confirm venue.

Sequence Dancing, Tues Afternoons. Tel, 99-750332 or email mgbennett1@yahoo.co.uk

The Royal British Legion, Larnaca Branch, www.rbllarnaca.org

Int. Christian Fellowship (East), Limassol

Welcome 10.00am Sundays to: Worship, Study the Bible, Care for each other. Kanika Complex, Flat 201, Apollo Building. Tel. 99-917195.

Dhekelia Sailing Club, www.dhekeliasailing.com

Short Mat Bowling, tel. 99-983684 or 26-960522 Steni Village Art & Crafts Group, Thursdays, tel. 99-175988 Stroke Association, Latin Parish Hall, 1st Saturday each month, tel. Brenda 99-804161.

Pissouri Anglican Group

Singles Sunday Lunch Club, tel. 99-754078

Meet for Communion Services at 6pm on the second and fourth Sundays of the month in a room at the amphitheatre, Pissouri Village. Tel. 96-612371 or email: stbac@spidernet.com.cy.

Table Tennis, Thursday evenings, tel. 26-652763 Taichi & Qigong at Kamares Club, tel. 99-923310 or email taichipafos@gmail.com

Markets, Charity Shops & Car Boot Sales

Paphos Area

Aladdins Cave Charity Shop, tel. 99-927452 Timi Market & Car Boot Sale, tel. 99-611637 The Duckpond, tel. 99-875217 or 99-090253 Paphiakos Car Boot Sale, every Saturday, tel. 99-151996 Paphiakos, Shops, Paphos Area , Info tel. 26-910325 Stroumpi Farmers’ Market & Craft Fair. Second Sunday of every month. 10am-3pm. Tel. 97 839295.

Craft Market, Thur 9-2, Coral Star, Coral Bay, tel. 99-387311 Pano Akourdaleia Farmers Market. First Sunday of every month 10am – 2pm. Tel 99 993412 or 96 425879

Full Moon This Month December 6 th

Limassol Area The Flea Market, Fassouri, tel. 77-778828 Friends Hospice Charity Shop, Pissouri, tel. 99-802414 Linopetra Corner, tel. 99-612832

Larnaca Area Marios Nicola Foundation, Xylophagou, tel. 99-541248 Paphiakos, Shop No.3, Larnaca, tel. 24-623494 © Grapevine • December 2014

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Party Nibbles

by Cherry Dobbins

My favourite recipe for a drinks nibble is a Nigella Lawson idea. She recommends buying a chunk of best Parmesan cheese, cutting it into rough chunky slices and piling onto a plate to be passed round.

No garnish, no cooking; simple and sophisticated in a manner with which only a domestic goddess can get away. The following are some slightly more complicated ideas; one or two you may like to add to the olives, nuts and crisps.

Stuffed Prosciutto Balls

From BBC Good Food 100g Fetta cheese

½ finely chopped chilli

2 tsp. finely chopped fresh mint Zest and juice ¼ lemon 6 slices Prosciutto (or other ham)

Grilled Halloumi Dippers with Chilli Pineapple Salsa From BBC Good Food

Mash the fetta well and mix with the chopped chilli, mint and the zest and juice of the lemon.

200g fresh or canned pineapple, dice fine

Roll into 24 balls

1 red onion, finely chopped

Cut each slice of ham into 4 and then wrap around the 24 balls.

1 red chilli, finely chopped juice of 1 or 2 limes to taste (alternatively use lemon)

Cucumber Salmon 3 or 4 cucumbers

Halloumi (allow 250g per 5 people)

200ml thick natural Greek yoghurt

Mix together the pineapple, onion and chilli. Add the lime juice to taste.

Slice the halloumi into chunky strips and thread onto soaked cocktail skewers. Grill to golden brown.

1 lemon, grated zest only plus extra for garnish ground black pepper smoked salmon pieces – end bits are fine

Parsnip Chips with Maple Mustard Dip From BBC Food

Cut the cucumbers into 20 thick slices. Scoop out some of the seeds to make a dip but not a hole.

1 parsnip per person

Mix the yoghurt with the zest of 1 lemon and some freshly ground black pepper.

Sunflower oil seasoning 200ml tub crème fraîche (I used a thick yoghurt) 2 tbsp. grainy mustard 2 tbsp. maple syrup

Put a little of this mixture into each dip and top with a piece of smoked salmon.

Lay on a plate and sprinkle with more lemon zest and ground black pepper.

Turn oven to 220°C.

Star Biscuits To serve with after dinner coffee cocktails or liqueur coffees

Peel the parsnips and cut into chunky chips.

200g soft butter

Spread on a baking sheet, sprinkle with the oil and season.

140g castor sugar

Roast for 20 to 30 minutes till golden brown.

1 egg yolk

Meanwhile mix the crème fraîche, mustard and syrup together in a serving bowl.

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Serve the chips warm with the dip.

280g plain flour plus a little extra for rolling icing sugar to dust

Spicy Prawn Skewers 1 lime, zest and juice (or a lemon)

With a wooden spoon mix together the butter and sugar and then add the yolk and vanilla. Mix well. Add the flour and stir well. If it is very stiff use your hands to bring it together.

1 tbsp. soy sauce

Tip onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently to make a smooth dough.

½ finely chopped chilli

Roll out the dough and stamp out stars. Re-roll trimmings and you should get about 24 to 36 stars

2 tsp. grated fresh ginger root 1 tsp. clear honey 150g cooked prawns Garnish – small pieces of crisp salad green Mix together a marinade with the lime, soy, chilli, ginger and honey.

Put the cooked prawns in the marinade and leave to soak for an hour.

Thread each prawn onto a cocktail stick with a little piece of green leaf.

If you want to decorate the rim of a glass you will need to cut out a thin triangle from the star. This is best done from an indent to the centre of the star.

Arrange on non stick trays, cover with cling film and chill for 30 mins.

Turn oven to 200°C When the oven is the correct temperature remove cling film and bake stars for 8 to 12 minutes until golden brown.

Cool and dust with icing sugar. They will freeze for up to three months.

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© Grapevine • December 2014

Christmas Festivities

by Cherry Dobbins

I was recently taken out for dinner at the Colosseum Restaurant, opposite the Veronica Hotel, in Kato Paphos. This winter they are only open on a Friday and Saturday night with live music, usually, on the latter. The restaurant is offering a ‘fine dining’ three course meal for €12.99. I chose tomato soup with Parmesan garlic bread followed by calf’s liver, cooked medium, with bacon and caramelised onions all of which was well prepared and presented.

For dessert I had a delightful crème brûlée berry tart.

I considered the meal very good value for money and as a result became interested in what they were offering over the Christmas period. On December 7th there will be the ‘Elvis Christmas Show’. This will take place at The Coral Palace by Coral Bay. They needed a larger venue to meet the demand but there are still some tables left. The €20.00 price includes a ‘Grand Mediterranean buffet’. Back at the restaurant on the 8th and 27th of December Ben Mills will be playing tribute to Michael Bublé; on the 13th of December the restaurant will host a Christmas show with Abba Babes and on the 20th and 24th of December Martin Rhodes will play tribute to Frank Sinatra. Dinner and show for the latter will cost €20.00. For reservations phone 26 962 415 For Christmas Day lunch you need to get booking immediately. Corallo Restaurant in Coral Bay is offering a four course traditional British turkey lunch for €27.00 per person. They have not yet finalised the menu and price for New Year’s Eve but regulars are already booking! For reservations phone 26 621 052. In Nata village the Periklis Taverna is serving a Christmas buffet lunch for €18.00 to include coffee, brandy or liqueur. There will also be a buffet lunch on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. For reservations phone 99 467 079 or 26 423 344/55 Most of the big hotels will be offering festive meals and banquets over the season. The more stars the hotel the bigger the price. However there is better food with a larger variety as you go up the scale. My recommendation, if there are still tables, is The Elysium at €59.00 a head. Very expensive, but a fantastic buffet and usually a great atmosphere. It is very popular and you will be expected to pay when you book. The fine dining restaurant at the Annabelle Hotel also puts on a very impressive spread for Christmas Day but it is a lot more money.

If you want to escape festive meals and eat traditional fish and chips then Santa Marina in Coral Bay will be open daily, except Christmas Day, with their normal menu.

© Grapevine • December 2014

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ChristmasCocktails

by Cherry Dobbins

Researching these recipes I noticed a trend for using frozen raspberries instead of ice cubes. This could work in lots of drinks…..

Christmas Cocktail 1 part Calvados 1 part apple juice 3 parts well chilled sparkling wine frozen raspberries to garnish (optional) Combine the Calvados with the apple juice and pour into glasses, add frozen raspberries and top up with sparkling wine.

Christmas Cosmopolitan Per jug or bowl 500ml. vodka 500ml ginger wine 1L cranberry juice 5 limes juice plus zest for garnish (or lemon) fine slices stem ginger Mix all the ingredients together in a jug and then drink and fall over or, preferably, pour into glasses and share with everybody.

Pomegranate Cocktail 60ml Vermouth – pink if you can find it!

30ml pomegranate juice – available fresh in many supermarkets, Alpha Mega and Garden of Eden 30ml ginger ale Ice Mix together the Vermouth and Pomegranate juice. Put ice into glasses and pour the mixture over. Top up with ginger ale.

Christmas Snowball 1 lime-zest and juice only (or lemon) 3 tsp. caster sugar 1 small egg 50ml Scotch whisky ginger ale to top up Mix together the lime zest, juice and sugar. Leave to stand for an hour.

Place the egg, whisky and 1 tbsp. of lime mix into a cocktail shaker (or jar with screw top), top up with ice cubes and shake very well.

Strain into tall glasses and top up with ginger ale

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© Grapevine • December 2014

Mince Pie Cocktail 25ml cognac 25ml gold rum (or white) 50ml ruby port 2 tsp. mince meat 2 wedges mandarin – squeezed garnish – lemon zest Place all the ingredients, except for the garnish, into a cocktail shaker (or jar with screw top), add ice and shake well. Using a fine strainer pour into glasses, garnish and serve.

Coffee Cocktail Before or after dinner coffee drinkers love this. Serve with a star biscuit on the rim (see ‘Party Nibbles’).

Per person 50ml. strong black coffee, cold 1 tbsp Kahlua 2 tbsp. double cream (make do with whipping cream!)

Cocoa powder to dust Mix the coffee and Kahlua in a Martini glass. Slowly pour in the double cream over the back of a teaspoon so that it settles on the surface. (Do not worry if t mixes in it still tastes good).Dust with cocoa powder.

Have a great Christmas!

© Grapevine • December 2014

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Lawn Green Bowls It seems somewhat paradoxical that the main highlights for the past couple of months comprised a Fashion Show and a Charity Day at the Aliathon Bowls Club.

The Fashion Show, organised by Mary & Keith Stacey, which attracted over 60 people was a great success. The money raised exceeded €1,100 which was well above predictions. Likewise, the special Charity Day, with bowls matches organised by Match Secretary, Phil Lodwick, also raised over €1000.

Monies from both events will be accumulated and presented to The Cancer Patients Support Group at a later date. The winners of the bowls Charity Day were Pat Ryan, Ron Day, Janet Scally, Colin Hall and Dot Gibbons. Runners up: John Gibbons Terry Hall, Lynn Webb and Geoff Walker.

All the bowls clubs in Cyprus are currently engaged in the Shirley & Ivan Triples League. This is split into two sections, the Mixed Triples and the Open Triples. The Aliathon Bowls Club is currently leading the Open Triples and is placed second in the Mixed Triples. This competition will concluded last month.

In November we entertained and played against a team of blind bowlers from Israel. I hope to be able to tell you more about this event at a later date.

Any readers interested in “trying their hand” at bowls please note that we have coaches who are only too willing to help.

Next year is the 20th Anniversary of the Aliathon Bowls Club. It was formed in July 1995 and is the oldest bowls club in Cyprus. Arrangements are already well in hand to celebrate this occasion with a week set aside starting with an Open Triples to which all clubs will be invited. During the same week the club will be holding a “Fun Day” followed by a “Corporate Day” which all our sponsors will be invited to attend. The celebrations will culminate in a Gala Dinner Dance.

Finally, although in the past clubs have arranged bowls tours abroad, a more adventurous tour to Australia in June 2015 is in the throes of development.

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© Grapevine • December 2014

Paphos Hearts of Gold Award 2014- Nominations Open!

The Paphos Hearts of Gold Award is a philanthropic community based award now in its eighth year. It aims to recognise those who have shown tremendous courage, strength and determination, worked tirelessly within the community or for charities, overcome tragedies with a smile or simply been a great help and support to neighbours and friends.

The award is open to everyone who is a resident of Paphos, of all ages and nationalities and winners are chosen by a panel of ten judges.

Nominations can be made by members of the public via the email below.

All of the nominees and their families are invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place at Palia Ilekriki in Paphos at 12 noon on December 12th 2014.

Successful nominees will be presented with their solid gold handmade heart- created and donated by Aphrodite Jeweller’s.Nominations can be made by members of the public via email at paphosheartsofgold@mail.com Nominations must be received by Friday December 5th.

CANCER, LOSS AND GRIEF TRAINING COURSE Applications are invited for the following course commencing in February 2015. The course will consist of eight weekly sessions covering such topics as Befriending, Understanding Cancer, Loss and Grief, Self-awareness, Crisis, Depression, Listening skills, Music Therapy and Telephone Helpline skills.

If you are the kind of person that people like to talk to and are a good listener and you are interested in working with cancer patients and their carers under the direction of the nurses perhaps the above course could be for you?

For more information please call the Cancer Information Helpline 97 76 0989

Mondays to Fridays between 9a.m and 1p.m

© Grapevine • December 2014

15

Just Giving

by Barbarian

Christmas is coming and the post-boxes are getting fat. Organised folk have probably done all their Christmas shopping and made sure that delivery to friends and relations are timely. But what to do if there’s someone you have forgotten and the last posting date is past?

Nothing beats the feeling of sitting down with a gift box and tearing off the wrapping paper to reveal the surprises within; but not all great gifts come wrapped in boxes; sometimes a subscription or gift voucher can be more fulfilling than a physical gift of same worth.

Take magazine subscriptions, for example. If you aren’t sure what to give, you should find a suitable subscription on greatmagazines.co.uk. Here you can find titles to suit most tastes, from Movie magazines to fishkeeping. Some are available under £20 and all titles attract considerable savings.

More specifically, if you can pay in sterling – for a UK recipient – try national-geographic-magazine. co.uk/. National Geographic is renowned for its photography and expertly written articles on wildlife, geography, popular science, history, culture, the environment and current events.

Subscription costs just £19 for 12 issues AND you get a free fleece jacket and a wall map included.

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© Grapevine • December 2014

International subscriptions are available, too; these are priced in US$, with the digital edition costing $22.99 for a year’s subscription.

If magazines aren’t to your taste, how about a cuppa? At kopi.co.uk you can subscribe for a bag of coffee from a different part of the world every month. You can chose from beans or ground and the accompanying booklet includes notes and brewing tips. The package fits through the letterbox, so no trips to the sorting office. A downloadable PDF certificate should be fine for the Christmas stocking. The cost is rom £25.40 for 3 months (83.40 for 12), Tea more to your recipient’s taste? For £40 a year, eteaket.co.uk will deliver unusual and tasty varieties of tea to the door. A yearly subscription includes an initial delivery of two samples, tasting notes, an online discount code (so you can get more of a particularly nice one) and a tea press to brew up in. Then each following month they will get two more teas to try – with a bonus special gift halfway through the year. Pricing is in Sterling, but international deliveries are available, at an additional price.

Perhaps you want a gift for someone who has green credentials. What could be better than adopting an olive tree? You can adopt an Italian olive tree and have personal olive oil delivered to the door. You are even invited to visit and give the

tree a hug. The cost is from €45, plus shipping costs, for a delivery in spring. Add more value for extra deliveries during the year. You’ll get an adoption gift pack to give on the day.

Also for greens; green fingered recipients might appreciate an annual supply of seasonal seeds to plant and grow. This means four boxes, each with five seed packs, tags, twine and information galore. The boxes and seeds themselves are also beautifully designed – and flat enough to slip through a letterbox. £49.99 for a year, allotinabox.com If none of the above strikes you as the perfect gift, maybe you should try a surprise. For £ 17.50 a month you can subscribe for your giftee to receive a different gift a month, and that’s all you can tell them. Past presents have included a pocket sundial, a Tatty Devine necklace and a hand-carved driftwood boat by artist Victor Stuart-Graham. They promise the value of the gift will always far exceed the cost, too. Find it at notanotherbill.com. You can print out an e-card to hand to the recipient.

Daredevil Zip For Friends’ Hospice

A 74-years-old Emba resident has single-handedly raised funds for The Friends’ Hospice in Paphos by hurtling down the longest zip wire in Europe at a speed of 160 kilometres an hour.

Arlan (second right) presents his cheque to Friends’ Foundation President Chris Jones.

Also pictured are Nurse Giota Savva and Nurse Maria Agathocleous

Suspended face down in a harness and wearing a crash helmet and overalls, the experience felt like actual flight as he zipped on a steel wire 152 metres high over an old slate works and lake for a distance of over 1,609 metres (a mile).

Arlan Roach, a native of Annanford in South Wales who has lived in Cyprus for many years, persuaded relatives and friends to sponsor him for his daredevil ‘flight’ across the old Penrhyn Quarry in Snowdonia.

‘In Flight’ “As I was being strapped in, my greatest fear was that the steel and fibre harness wouldn’t be able to support me and that I would crash onto the rocks and rubble below,” said Arlan. “Worse still, I might be dropped into the deep water of the lake.”

But despite his initial fears, at one point in the ‘zip’ he actually held out his arms to simulate an aircraft coming in to land.

The adventure is run by Zipworld at Bethesda in North Wales, where slate has been mined for more than 200 years and which at one time was the biggest quarry in the world.

Arlan is one of the oldest people to have undertaken the zip wire stunt.

Altogether, he raised €425 for The Friends’ Hospice.

“It was scary but a really wonderful experience,” he said. “I’m glad I did it.”

© Grapevine • December 2014

17

Caking Baking with a Difference

by Jane Williams

When Janne Stoten asked the ladies of Pissouri to put on their pinnies and bake once again for charity, little did she realise the outcome.

those taking part was her husband, Paul Stoten, she ruled herself out as an impartial judge!

The ’bring and buy’ cake sale morning would be held at Janne’s house, but she added that this year there would also be a Gentlemen’s challenge to bake and all money raised would go towards the € 25,000 needed for a second dialysis machine for the Paphos General Hospital.

It was a tough job but those brave hearts tasted every cake, sometimes twice!

Votes were cast firstly on presentation and then for taste. Finally, a decision was made but the secret had to be kept a while longer as there was the ‘Bring and Buy’ cake sale to include the ladies’ cakes the next day.

Suddenly, the normally quiet and peaceful Pissouri came alive in a floury, sorry, flurry of activity.

The men were queuing up to take part and there was even a waiting list.

Finally, 16 men were ready to bake, 12 of whom were novices! (There had been 18 but one later dropped out due to work commitment and another chap burnt his buns! Ouch.)

And so it came to pass that ‘The Great Pissouri Bake Off’ was born.

Judging by the comments posted on Facebook, Janne realised that guidance was needed and quickly drew up some rules. No readymade cake mixes and although the men could ask for advice, they had to bake without any outside physical assistance. No cheating would be tolerated.

The judging took place on Sunday 16th November in strict secrecy.

Graham Brown, Chairman of the Cyprus Kidney Association (Ex pats) was asked to be a judge. Graham had been the Treasurer for the CKA four years previously but since April of this year in his new role as Chairman, he and his team have raised a staggering €41,000. As a patient himself, he is keenly aware of the importance of dialysis.

The other judges were George Sofocleous, Proprietor and Chef at the Hill View Hotel in Pissouri, Pam Oliver, whose husband relied on regular dialysis but sadly died earlier in March of this year and Jane Williams, who was there for no good reason other than to eat cake!

Only Janne knew the identity of each baker and their cake and as one of

Monday morning 10am and Janne’s helpers were ready; the kettles boiling in anticipation of the tea and coffee that Jane Williams would be brewing up; Jo My Favourite Athanasiou was ready to pounce with raffle tickets at the ready; the Men’s cakes were on glorious display; Emma Taylor was checking the float money before readying herself to take charge for a slice of cake and a drink. Janne was waiting to greet the first arrivals.

One year ago the first of Janne Stoten’s charity Bring and Buy cake sales raised €320 and was split between three children’s charities. In April of this year, she raised a further €300 for the local village nursery school that had been vandalised.

How much would be raised this time?

An hour later the cups had run out, along with the ample supply of milk and the kettles were being boiled again for the nth time. The turnout was fantastic and easily beat the two previous other charity events that Janne had hosted.

More cups were found, milk was bought and kettles whistled once again.

Just after midday it was all over. The washing up stopped and the count up began to reveal that a whopping total of €560 had been taken. A much needed glass of wine was had by the helpers to celebrate.

Monday’s sale had exceeded all expectations but this wasn’t the end.

The Men’s prize-giving was announced that evening and the moment everyone had been waiting for was held in the Platea Tavern in Pissouri village square.

Graham and Janne gave out the awards to loud applause from the large audience.

Novice Baker, Craig Robertson took 1st prize of a bottle of bubbly with his superb Hummingbird (tropical fruit and crushed pecan) cake.

Dave Pointon came second with his spectacularly visionary ‘Nowhere like Pissouri’ pool Victoria Sponge Cake and was awarded four beers for his effort. His very large cake was donated to the dialysis team to give to a local Paphos school.

Third place went to Dave Eyre for his delightful Carrot Cake, decorated with caramel and handmade baby iced carrots. He also won four beers.

The Novice Winner for presentation was Jon Boulton. He was awarded a bottle of bubbly for his ‘Pink Pigs in a Chocolate Hot Tub’ cake.

All winners took home a novelty hand-painted and varnished wooden spoon, (thanks to Nikki Burling of ‘Stiggy Mou’ crafts and Janie Marie Hurstfield of ‘Pebble Rebel’) and every baker to a man was given a certificate, beautifully designed by Emma Taylor and kindly printed by Markos Foutas at the Pissouri internet café.

Kevin Turnbull’s humorous novelty ‘Frothy Lady’ Chocolate and Guinness cake was auctioned off by Jo Athanasiou and Janie Marie Hurstfield donated €15 for the pleasure.

The raffle prizes were very kindly donated by: Diane Beaty and Caroline Wright from ‘Breeze’, in Pissouri Bay - a lovely beaded necklace.

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© Grapevine • December 2014

The Judging

Janie from ‘Pebble Rebel’ - a €20 voucher.

Jo Athanasiou of ‘Crafty Cows’ - a voucher for a personalised vintage apron and the Pissouri Residents Association donated a large pizza board set together with six photo frames.

Anne Wright baked two enormous kidney-shaped sponges, iced in red, using the Cyprus Kidney Association logo. The cake was given to the Paphos General Hospital Dialysis unit for the patients on the renal unit ward to enjoy.

Janne ended the event by saying a very big Thank You to everyone who took part and for making it all possible. The evening had swelled the pot to a new total of €670.

‘The Great Pissouri Bake Off’ outstripped all expectations and certainly lived up to its name!

At the time of writing, money is still coming in and almost €1,000 has been raised by the people of Pissouri for the Paphos General Hospital and its much needed second dialysis machine.

Brings a whole new meaning to ‘Let them eat cake!’ doesn’t it?

© Grapevine • December 2014

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Zingers busy as ever in December 5th Sa Bruneri Restaurant Simou Village, Zingmas concert. Tickets €7.50 6th Bucket rattling their way into the festive season in Kings Mall 5 pm 13th Performing at CPSG dinner King Evelthon Hotel 20th Elea Golf club, Zing with a Bling, tickets €7.50, option to order platters for 2 at

only €10 per couple. Festive fun in ambient surroundings 21st No we are not “ Leaving on a Jet Plane” we are singing at Paphos Airport,

welcoming all our lovely tourists and guests who are lucky enough to be spending

Christmas in Cyprus. Time to be confirmed 23rd Coral Beach Hotel, 6 pm. Come along and enjoy our festive repertoire courtesy

of the hotel, no charge on this one folks!

24th busy busy busy day, starting at 3.30 at the Athena Beach Hotel, 6 pm at the

Annabelle Hotel, 7 pm at the Almyra Hotel

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© Grapevine • December 2014

Š Grapevine • December 2014

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Š Grapevine • December 2014

A Lasting Gift

by Mrs. Vivian Nagel, MCSI

At this time of year some retirees are thinking of what to give their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

Quite a few of our clients have invested either a lump sum or more regular amount each year into an investment bond where the beneficiary of choice is appointed to benefit from the investment.

This is an excellent way of giving and offers the family member/s who will benefit with something that can be used to provide money when most needed be it university fees, car, deposit on first house or many other reasons.

If you have a high disposable income or find yourself with excess surplus income or indeed have excess capital which you would like to give to your family/friends or others then an investment of this type is an ideal way to achieve this.

You can set up the investment with ₤, $ or €. The minimum for a lump sum is ₤10,000 with minimum additions of ₤1,000.

If you would prefer to make regular contributions then the minimum is ₤300 per month, which can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually. This level of contribution can be increased annually by as much as you wish with a minimum of ₤100.

There is no fixed term, the investment continues until you decide to close it or death.

(Early exit charges may apply in the first five years) A wide range of international units trusts and mutual funds managed by well-respected international fund managers is available to choose from to create the portfolio, this offers the investment the optimum chance of growing over the years to hopefully provide more to the beneficiary of the gift.

Whilst this is an excellent way to give Christmas, birthday or other celebratory gifts it should not be confused with gifting to mitigate inheritance tax. The above will not do this. The giver of the monies remains the owner until death or closure, the beneficiary appointed is the person or persons who are intended to benefit and will do so automatically on the death of the policyholder. Should the policyholder (investor) wish the beneficiary to have the monies prior to their death then they can withdraw or close the investment and then give the proceeds to the intended recipient.

If you would like to learn more please contact me.

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015 Mrs. Vivian Nagel, MCSI Hollingsworth International Financial Services Limited, Mobile 99579149 Fax: + 356 21316299 Email: Viviann@hollingsworth-int.comWebsite: www.hollingsworth. eu.com.com Licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority to provide Investment Services under the Investment Services Act 1994.

License No. IS/ 32457 © Grapevine • December 2014

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The Enquiring Minds Lecture Group

by Bryan Tolladay

As they move further into their third age some members can no longer wade through thorns and over tussocks of grass on archaeological sites, leap up mountains to look at geological specimens or go in search of trains & mines with the Industrial Archaeology Group. There was, it was felt, a need for a group which was resolved not to stray too far from their chairs.

At the inaugural meeting on 8th October 2013 a group of 18 people decided to form a lecture group and those attending came up with a list of topics which they would like to learn more about. Lectures could be given by C3A members or experts from other organizations. Some groups or individuals might even set themselves the task of finding out about a subject which was of interest to them and then presenting their findings to the group. TEM was born.

Since then we have had lectures on such diverse subjects as “Women in Islam” and “Who were the Phoenicians?” There was even one called “Tools, Trenches, Toilets & Treasure” No prizes for guessing what that one was about. A lecture on renewable sources of energy on Cyprus led to a joint venture with the Industrial Archaeology Group to visit the Photo Voltaic Laboratory at Cyprus University in Nicosia.

The meetings are open meetings which means that any C3A member from any of their branches and any of their friends may attend. There were over 50 people at our last meeting of which over 30 stayed on for a superb buffet lunch supplied for only €12 by the hotel.

The Enquiring Minds meet on the third Thursday of the month apart from December, July and August when many of our members are off island. We meet at the Miramare Hotel on the seafront in Limassol and folk gather for coffee (€3) at about 10.30 am. The lectures start at 11 am ending after questions at about 12:30.

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Why don’t you join us?

Valerie Tolladay (Group Coordinator) The Enquiring Minds & Industrial Archaeology Groups: Visit to PV Laboratory at the Cyprus University As a follow up to the lecture to the TEM Group given by Costas Orountiotis of Terra Cypria, on Monday 24th February 2014 20 members of the C3A Industrial Archaeology Group were royally entertained by the University of Cyprus PhotoVoltaic (PV) Technology Laboratory, which is a part of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The visit was to their extensive outdoor test facility. The facility has an installation of more than 25 PV technologies and products, with state of the art test and monitoring facilities. We were met by Professor George Georghiou and his associate George Makrides who gave extremely interesting briefings on the background of the Group, the work they did and some of the results and implications of PV technology to the economy at home and in the workplace in Cyprus.

Cyprus has a unique combination of more high quality sunshine; more than anywhere else in Europe, combined with geographic position and highly qualified and experienced professors and academic staff making this a major opportunity for the country.

Cyprus traditionally imports every watt of the energy it needs, making this facility critical to the future of Cyprus especially as imports increase in price and continue to drain our economy. The Laboratory is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of PV system testing and evaluation and had been selected to test their systems in realistic field trials by the major German, American, British, Japanese and Chinese PV Companies (such as Sanyo, Sharp, BP Solar, Atersa).

The Lab sets up the products in the same area under identical carefully

monitored condition and runs the trials 24 x 365 for many years. Some systems have been in the park for nearly 10 years and so the Laboratory has unique actual physical records of the performance of the systems. Some large and expensive sun-tracking PV installations are assessed for industrial electricity generation via PV arrays. However; it is also highly desirable that where possible the electrical power is generated as close as possible to its consumption reducing distribution costs. The critical factors have always been the system efficiency, the cost of installation, the life of the systems and hence the cost per watt of produced power. With the sharp reduction in the cost per panel; new technology increasing efficiency above the critical 17% and increased fossil based power costs, these PV systems are now very cost effective. The installation costs for a home system of are now about 5k€ with lives of 25 years. Excess power storage, nights and cloudy days are covered by being attached to the electricity mains and costs reduced by the supply of surplus power generated locally when the sun shines (mostly it does).

Other basic and advanced PV research has been commissioned including classified new high temperature technology, electric vehicles and solar powered desalination plants, performed on grants from the EU and industries.

The visit and briefings provoked a great deal of thought and the professor and his staff kindly answered a myriad of questions of two hours, both cogently and patiently.

All round it was an extremely interesting visit which this brief outline cannot hope to cover adequately. We came away with the clear understanding of the critical importance of this work for which they have received International recognition, to Cyprus’ future. It is our sincere hope that the research will be recognized in time to bring the potential benefits to our hard pressed economy.

© Grapevine • December 2014

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Health Issues

Compiled by Dr Lenia Efthymiou

The Healthy Mind Detox

by Jane Scrivner

continued from the last issue of Grapevine.

DAY 7: Let Yourself Daydream Today you have permission to daydream about anything you want to. You can think about all the things you wish for and all the things you dream about. Today is a total release from the real world. You can wish for anything.

Start by writing down ten wishes or dreams. As with everything on this programme, they must be totally personal and can be very selfish. But they must be things that are currently in your head, things that you sometimes mull over in your mind during the day.

Your dreams and wishes should be your real dreams and wishes. For instance: • I want to sing with Frank Sinatra/Elvis • I want to fly to the moon • I want to fly around the world in a hot-air balloon • I want to be 6 foot tall • I want an IQ of 2,000 • I want to rule the world Once you have the list then just sit back and enjoy it. Imagine yourself ruling the world — shortly after winning Mastermind. Tickets to the moon in your back pocket and the roar of the crowd still fresh in your mind from last nights concert with Elvis. Waiting to hear from the palace for an appointment to measure up for your crown.

Feels good, doesn’t it? And I bet you at least have a smile on your face, if you haven’t laughed out loud.

In your mind you can be and do anything you want. So go ahead! Dream on and wish away.

Now that you have got into the swing of it you can get on with your normal day and transform it into the most amazing day you have ever had — a ‘Day-Dream’. Everything you do today will be the stuff that dreams are made of.

Leave your palace early in the morning to travel to the Mastermind studios. On your way, help some university students with their dissertations.

Give Elvis some hints and tips on being successful as a pop star. Meet up with some old friends for lunch and decide to take the whole afternoon off in order to shop for everything you have ever wanted. When you have picked the children up from school you will be going to see Mickey Mouse who has called to say that he has a spare hour or so and can he come and entertain the children whilst you prepare the sumptuous evening meal.

After the meal the children say they want to go to bed as they are tired, and you and your partner fly off to the coast in your hot-air balloon to see the sunset Once you return you can pay the babysitter and go to bed — to awake to a breakfast of fresh 26

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Dental surgeon Dr Efthymiou welcomes articles from bona fide health professionals, particularly from local doctors and pharmacists.

Contact her on: 26 946863

fruit salad in a champagne juice with poached eggs on light French toast ...Get the picture?

• Cinema

You see, I have everything and anything I want, every day of my life. I just dream for 5 minutes and there it all is — it doesn’t cost a penny and it feels soooooo good.

• Shopping

`Dreamers’ and ‘people who wish their life away’, are usually considered to be rather hopeless: people who have no real aim in life or who cannot come to terms with reality. But if they know that they are dreaming or wishing and they are happy to return to the real world refreshed, having had a little entertainment and excitement, then I think dreamers and wishers are probably the only people who do have any real idea of what is going on. They are aware of the real world and also of their own very personal world — the world of their own minds. And everyone knows that, if you know your own mind, you can do anything.

• Meeting friends for coffee

DAY 8: Spend Time, Not Money If we wake up and think ‘what should I/we do today’, one of the major considerations is how much money we’ve got. If we have a lot, at the start of the month, then we have more choice than the end of the month when funds are running low. If we have no money we tend to think we cannot do anything, and if we have had a windfall or a win on the lottery(!) then we can do absolutely anything.

Yet having money sometimes stops us thinking about all the options we have. We tend to ignore the simple, straightforward options and go for the more complicated. We have learnt that you can only have fun if you have money. This is not true.

If we put in a bit more thought and use our heads, there are millions of things we can do to keep occupied, learn new things or entertain ourselves, that cost nothing.

For one whole day on this programme (during a weekend or holiday) you are going to detox your mind of all the short cuts to happiness, and actually think about how to spend your time without spending any money. It may also be worth checking out the local post office window, local council offices, local social centre and the local sports centre noticeboard.

You will need to collect all these sources of information together. Then all you need is £5 per adult and £3 per child, and your imagination.

The money is really only for emergencies — you win extra points if you do not spend anything during the day.

To begin with here is a list of activities that are no longer permitted, because they will cost money or won’t use any form of imagination or brainpower.

If you never think about how you use your time then it will just slip away. You will be old before your time and you won’t have anything to show for it.

• Television

• Dining out • Holidays • Driving anywhere • Buying ice creams • Going to the leisure centre • Pub lunch The following activities cost nothing and are very definitely permitted: • Having a long bath, relaxing and doing lots of home beauty treatments (e.g. tea bags on eyes, cucumber on eyes, salt scrubs, cold showers) • Making a cake/having friends for dinner/ having friends for lunch using foods from the cupboard • Weeding the garden • Going for a walk or hiking around your town/area • Tidying out a room/cupboard • Looking around a local church/museum/ gallery that has free entrance • Checking local papers for outdoor craft fairs to look round — not buying!

• Attending talks at the local town hall that may be going on for no entrance fee • Finding out where your local library is and going and reading about anything you wish to • Doing a day of voluntary work • Sorting out all your old clothes and delivering them to a local charity shop • Putting all your photographs into your album or at least sorting them out and throwing away all the shots that are out of focus or too dark • Reading a book • Visiting a friend you haven’t seen in ages but who lives in walking distance • Sewing buttons on to everything that has lost a button but you never get round to doing it And so on. In fact the list of things that cost nothing is much longer and much more interesting than the list of things that cost a lot!

Top Tips Try not to prepare too much. Collect the papers and timetables but don’t look at them until the morning of your chosen day. This will mean that you have to use your mind more to come up with something interesting or productive to do.

If you think about the day too much in advance you may inadvertently get things into the house that will help you entertain yourself — the

Š Grapevine • December 2014

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Health Issues Compiled by Dr Lenia Efthymiou Dental surgeon Dr Efthymiou welcomes articles from bona fide health professionals, particularly from local doctors and pharmacists.

Contact her on: 26 946863 challenge is to come up with things on the spur of the moment — a genuine case of ‘what shall I do today?’.

Try to remain as sociable as normal. Don’t think that you have to be lonely just because you have no funds. Encourage your friends to join your challenge. They should be your entertainment, not just people that you spend money with.

Make a mental note of how you react to having no funds available. Is it unnerving or a challenge?

Do you talk more to friends whilst walking or meeting than you normally do or is it the same?

Do you look at things differently? Is it more tiring having to use your mind to entertain yourself or is it more uplifting? Have you got things done that have been hanging around for ever, or did you use your time to try out totally new things?

Ask yourself if you will try this again in the future, or do you think the way you spend your spare time is fulfilling enough?

Are you using money instead of imagination?

DAY 9: Retreat into Silence Today should be a day off work, a weekend or a holiday, as you will spend it in total silence.

Getting to know what is in your head, what you are thinking, how you are reacting, is very easy if you are not interacting with anyone. If the only dialogue you have all day is with yourself then you can find out a lot. It’s like being locked in a room with one person and you are free to ask any question you wish. It may be very telling and quite intense. And you will get answers to many of your questions.

There are many places that call themselves ‘retreats’. These are places where people — often religious — can go to stay for a time of reflection or prayer. You do not enter into conversation with anyone on retreat so you can remain focused on your reasons for being there. You can create these retreat surroundings in your own home and spend your time thinking for yourself: writing lists; writing letters; and sorting things out, physically, emotionally or mentally.

You will need to prepare for this day by shutting yourself off from the outside world and any outside stimuli. Put the ansaphone on or unplug the phone. Lock the front door and do not answer it, do not open the post. There will be no radio or television, no videos, no newspapers, no books.

Make sure the day is a full 24 hours, from say 11 p.m. the night before until 11 p.m. on the day of your retreat. Many of these hours will be whilst you are asleep. Indeed, if you use your retreat day to catch up on lost sleep then that is very useful.

Dress in something loose, warm and comfortable but make sure you do dress. If you need to catch up on sleep then sleep in until you wake. Get up and dressed and if you need more sleep then go 28 © Grapevine • December 2014

back to bed for rest as and when required during the day. For the rest of your retreat time you should try to avoid your normal activities. Don’t try to do all the household chores and catch up with tidying the house. Retreat should be about you — the whole 10 days should be about you.

Retreat means touching base with yourself.

This may be the first day that you have truly spent on your own. Even though you may normally spend a lot of time on your own, the rule of silence makes you think about yourself more. Use the day to answer any questions you have for yourself. If you have any problems with relationships, use the time to think through all your options. If you need to decide about your job — not about a problem at work — but about yourself in the context of work — then think this through. The fact that you cannot communicate with the outside world means that, if you reach a decision, you will have to live with that decision for several hours before you tell anyone_ This may give you more time to reflect and to confirm if the decision is right or wrong for you. If there is a lot going on in your life then your day of silence may simply serve to let contents settle’ before you carry on with business as usual. We file thoughts in our head so that we can access them at a later date; this important filing process can take place when you are relaxing_ If you believe that you are very straight and organised in your head, and that there is nothing you would like time to think through, then well done. What’s your secret!? Seriously, even if you have everything sorted, you should still ‘retreat’ and use the time for deep relaxation exercises, correct breathing and doing nothing.

Doing nothing is extremely hard: listen to your breathing, feel your heart beat through your body and become aware of every aspect of your mind and body. When they are in total harmony, prepare a simple meal of cleansing food from the food lists in the User’s Manual (see pp. 160-3) and get an early night. You may find that after relaxation your dreams are very much more vivid as your brain goes through its own subconscious sorting process.

Top Tips Remember, you must not do anything that involves any outside stimuli. Retreat is about you and your own mind - no books, no papers, no conversation (except in your own head), no words, no television, no radio, no magazines.

A good view out of the window of the country, sky or garden, no streets or people; is all you are permitted. If the views from your retreat include traffic or people then look inwards at your own house and cut off the outside world. If something distracts you just let it pass, don’t dwell on it, and return to your own thoughts.

Awake feeling refreshed, invigorated and clearheaded after your day of silence.

DAY I 0: Write Your Personal Cosmic Shopping List Having a personal cosmic shopping list is like looking into the future and seeing just how you will be when you have achieved everything you want to achieve. A personal cosmic shopping list means you can be where you want to be, at any time.

As with everything in the Healthy Mind Detox programme your cosmic shopping list is personal and should apply to yourself, for yourself. Your list should be easy to remember and include everything you can envisage yourself having.

Your list can include yourself or others and it should be positive; nothing negative should be on your list. You don’t want to think yourself into a negative situation.

Write what you want in life, and where you want to be, and eventually you will get there. For instance: • I have a successful profitable business • I have done everything I want to for my family at this time • I am rested and ready to move forward • I have a lot of time for myself • I have started a new hobby that really inspires me • My relationship is better now than it has been. We seem to grow closer together as each year passes • I have loads of confidence...

You get the picture — simple but clearly describing yourself as you want to be, but in the present tense. A self-fulfilling prophecy.

Well done. You now have a crystal-clear picture of where you are going and how good it feels. Simply go there in your mind and it will become reality quicker than you imagine...

Articles appearing in the Health Issues pages are not necessarily endorsed by Grapevine Magazine.

When in doubt consult your own qualified health practitioner.

Health Issues Compiled by Dr Lenia Efthymiou Dental surgeon Dr Efthymiou welcomes articles from bona fide health professionals, particularly from local doctors and pharmacists.

Contact her on: 26 946863

Dr. Lenia Efthymiou Wishes Everyone

A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

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I Can’t Make You Cluck Like a Chicken...Unless You Want To.

By Nikki Burrows

It has been said that my most memorable features are my large brown eyes, yet once they learn of my job, friends and strangers alike are moved to look away. Fear and misinformation, aggravated by exploitation by stage performers, often fuels fears of mind control and clucking like chickens.

Hypnotism has earned a bad name, yet has been recently successfully utilised by the Duchess of Cambridge to combat morning sickness, and X-Factor contestants for stage fright. Hypnosis may be described as a state wherein the subconscious and conscious parts of the mind begin to work on the same concept, at the same time, without conflict. Research is also showing that hypnotherapy is an effective tool for weight control, addiction and management of undesired habits.

Contrary to sceptics’ belief, everyone can be hypnotised, though trepidation and bravado will produce resistance and unwillingness. Trained and qualified hypnotherapists in compliance with NCH codes of conduct will only act with permission and cannot make individuals do anything they don’t want to. In fact it would be unethical to do so. Willpower and commitment are required, but once gained, the unconscious mind can be manipulated to cease unwanted actions and substitute with new.

The professional role of a hypnotherapist as distinct to a stage hypnotist is to accept clients for whom they believe they are trained, competent and able to give treatment. This therapy should be designed to assist the client to help themselves to improve or recover from their dilemmas.

Nevertheless, the role of the modern hypnotherapist in relation to health and social care practitioners is strictly complimentary and additional to any existing treatment or care.

Physician, Franz Mesmer, is regarded as the modern father of hypnosis and the word ‘mesmerism’ is derived from his name. Paul McKenna, well known as a stage hypnotist and television personality yet considered to be one of the best modern proponents of hypnosis for therapy often on a charitable basis,

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reveals that ‘The earliest references to hypnosis date back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Indeed, ‘hypnos’ is the Greek word for sleep, though actual state of hypnosis is very different from that of sleep. Both cultures had religious centres where people came for help with their problems. One famous practitioner was Sigmund Freud though he was not regarded to be talented at hypnosis and eventually concentrated instead on psychoanalysis.

In the 1930’s the America publication of Clark Hull’s book, Hypnosis and Suggestibility began to bring hypnosis into popularity, and Milton H Erickson developed modern theories and approaches which are currently regarded as the most effective techniques, and include surprise, metaphor and confusion.

Whilst weight control, (hypnotherapists do not refer to weight loss or gain), and smoking cessation are matters which hypnotherapy can tackle and bring most accolades as was demonstrated in tabloid newspaper “The Daily Star” under the headline “Minds over Fatter” in 2011, further success has been noted in the relief of depression, anxiety, fear, phobias and stress and with practice and the appropriate techniques, relief of pain in such conditions as I.B.S. or even during a dental visit.

One of the most useful tools a client can learn through hypnotherapy is the acquisition of self-belief and confidence, both of which may be enhanced by learning self-hypnosis methods, so that they can call upon their inner strengths without a visit to their therapist.

Whilst every hypnotherapist needs customers, their greatest reward is to assist their clients in recovery from problems and symptoms both real and perceived. We hope to never need to see you again professionally, but that you do tell your friends.

Professionally qualified and insured hypnotherapy is available from “Seechongez hypnotherapy” in the Paphos area, either in your own home or at The Roost Relaxation retreat in Polemi. Call Nikki on 99012601 for details. Your first 20 minute consultation is FREE! Christmas gift vouchers start at €10.

Stress and Christmas

by Dr Vasilios Silivistris, DipComp DipSup MBACP BA MA FRSH PhD

Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year; it is a time where many people start to stress out worrying about many things such as buying gifts. In addition, it is a time where many people worry about having a limited budget, concern about how to keep the family happy and prevent family members from arguing.

What is Stress?

Do you sometimes feel what life all about is?

Suffer from ‘panic attacks?’

Feeling continuously anxious?

Stress is, simply put, the adverse reaction to an excess of pressure. It is a very personal thing as the amount that we can reasonably cope with varies from person to person It is the prolonged exposure to this state of pressure that results in; Physical emotional mental

Pressure becomes stress when the demands far exceed our ability to respond effectively.

What Causes Stress?

Does this sound familiar?

You find it hard to concentrate or suffer from poor memory.

Lack of confidence and self-esteem which in enables you to make decisions Headaches or an upset stomach.

Irregular eating and sleeping patterns.

Loss of libido Back/shoulder and neck pain.

Break the “Cycle of Stress” Have you ever tried to relax, only to find that your mind quickly wanders back to worries about money, relationships, or world events? Perhaps it seems that the more you try to relax, the more tense you get. Well, you are not alone; this is the common “cycle of stress.” To interrupt this cycle, take back some control; start with something small and realistic such as; Excise regularly Minimise caffeine intake Prioritise demands in your life Being resourceful, doing things you enjoy doing like going to the cinema, being with your family, or going for a walk on the beach.

behavioural symptoms.

Furthermore here are some simple tips to stay stress free during the festive season.

In addition, stress can manifest itself from a mild irritation and general unease through to the inability to cope or function in the usual way.

Plan and organise your days by making a list of what important things you need to do before Christmas day. continued over page

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For Christmas lunch decide what you are cooking and if you planning to cook turkey, make sure you purchase one sooner rather than later.

Always recognise when you have done something and to feel good about doing it.

Delegate some of the tasks, Christmas is about sharing and having fun.

Take frequent breaks and pace yourself.

Try some breathing exercise, these help if you are feeling panicky and anxious.

While you are busy in the kitchen, keep young children occupied by showing DVD’s or videos, children love watching television.

Do not drink too much! It will spoil Christmas for you and everyone else!

Finally, If Christmas is an emotional time for you, if you have lost relatives or friends, or have family aboard, try to think about the happy times together. They may not be with you physically, but the memories are always there, so use them well. After all, they would not want you to be unhappy.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Peace, Happiness and Prosperity for 2015.

Providing Natural Health Care for The Community Your Local Herbal Pharmacy Many of you know Caroline, the resident herbalist at Heaven on Earth Herbals in Pano Akourdaleia Herb Garden and have positively benefited from her health advice over the years.

Caroline is often busy with 1-1 full health consultations and is therefore not always available for those who pop into the herb garden apothecary looking for quick and immediate advice. To ensure your trip up to Pano Akourdaleia is not wasted and that Caroline is available to offer you a few minutes, we introduce....

The Community Clinic Caroline set up the herb garden as an open herbal apothecary or traditional pharmacy whereby those with health issues can come for a quick chat with the resident herbalist to ensure the correct remedy is given for their ailment. The Community Clinic ensures that this still happens and the goal of trying to keep our community healthy is preserved.

During December : The Community Clinic will be held on Wednesdays 2pm-4pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm.

As some dates will be subject to change each week/month from January, Community Clinic dates will be posted on the facebook group page & at the herb garden: www.facebook.com/groups/ heavenonearthherbals/ or call 99 993412.

Herb Garden Winter Hours (Beginning of December - End of March) Wednesdays until Sundays 9am-4pm.

South African/Cypriot Dr Vasilios Silivistris is a UK trained Psychotherapist and Counselling practitioner.

We close for Christmas from 22nd – 26th December with Community Clinic running again on the 27th 10am-12pm and normal herb garden hours Sunday 28th 9am-4pm. We close 29th December and re-open Saturday 3rd January with Farmers Market on Sunday 4th January 2015.

99 109177.

Look forward to you dropping in!

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MAGGIE’S BEAUTY SPOT: The Scarf Trend MAGGIE’S BEAUTY TIP Cool Ways to Keep Cosy When it’s chilly outside, weatherproof your wardrobe with toasty layers, standout knits and little splashes of colour. Brrrrr-ing on the cold....

trim snood. Goodbye draughty neck and cold toes. Frosty mornings, we’re ready for you!

INVEST IN A DRESS A cute wear-with-anything felted wool dress will work for endless outings. A smarter alternative to the jumper dress, it can be worn on its own or layered over a silk blouse to bring it up to date.

Wantable and wearable.

DOUBLE UP Why wear one knit when you can wear two? Give your favourite jumper a new-season spin and layer it over a roll neck – a striped version gives basics a playful twist.

And every fashion follower needs some tapered trousers and anklegrazing Chelsea boots.

BE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL Winter doesn’t mean you have to dress in dark colours. You’ll never have a dull day in hot pink. Wear it to perk up neutrals from now to spring and beyond.

BELT IT A classic knit will have a cold snap sussed. But you don’t have to look bulky. Simply knot a curve-creating belt to bring back your waistline and add shape to chunky jumpers. For a fashionable edge, roll up your sleeves and let the underneath layers peep through.

MIX IT UP Make your jumper look super smart by tucking it into a sleek pencil skirt – a sophisticated look that’s cosy, too. Get your woollies working harder this winter!

ADD SOFT TOUCHES Turn heads with a flash of faux fur and buy yourself instant fashion cred.

Other winter warmers to add to your wish list are fur-lined boots and a fur-

BLING IT ON Every woman needs a go-to lightweight layer, and a navy cardigan can be thrown over anything. A day-to-night cardi with sparkle, elegantly draped over shoulders lends an instant dose of glamour.

FIND A GREAT COAT Never underestimate the impact of a wow coat. An on-trend, checked cover-up is as chic as it is toasty. Style your way to extra warmth, by layering scarves, upping the fashion factor by tucking them into your belt.

Maggie Wright, Colour Me Beautiful consultant 99318477 www.cmbcyprus.com 10% off for Grapevine readers. Vouchers available for Christmas.

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Peace on Earth

by Mike Smith. Elder

As we come up to the Christmas Season, a few thoughts as to why we celebrate the birth of a boy in Bethlehem, nearly 2000 years ago, to a Jewish woman who wasn’t married. It is generally accepted that the Saviour of the world wasn’t born at this time of year, so why do we celebrate his birth on December 25th? Well, history is littered with wrong dates and times, and it seems that the date of this event has been recognised as being false, yet the majority of Christians celebrate the event, not the time or date. Early Christians did not celebrate Christmas, only Epiphany and Easter. It wasn’t until around AD336 that mention is made in a Roman Calendar of that year, of 25th December as a day honouring the birth of Jesus.

However the day has become a secular holiday time incorporating preChristian and pagan traditions along the way. It has become a time for family and friends to get together and exchange gifts. The concept of peace on earth and goodwill towards men is especially warm at this time of year, even more so in 2014, which has seen anything but peace and goodwill.

So how do we encourage the ethos of caring for each other, when men, women and children are being killed in the name of religion?

Well, it is difficult to turn the other cheek when people are so antagonistic towards us. Our human nature tells us to hit back, and hard. Yet we are told by Jesus to love those who hate us and spitefully use us. This becomes difficult when we are undergoing problems ourselves, we don’t want aggravation along the way.

However, peace in our lives becomes possible if we accept that peace is available to each and every one of us, we are made more aware of it at this time of year. Peace and goodwill are not items to be bought in a shop; they are gifts that we receive, if we trust the promises of the man who started life as a baby in Bethlehem. He said, “My peace I give you, that peace that the world cannot give.” If you have the peace of Jesus in your heart, then goodwill follows automatically. In the hectic pace of life in the 21st century it is good to know you have a friend who cares about you, how you feel, what you are going through and will be there for you, in the good times, and the bad times too.

If you would like this peace, but don’t know how to get it, read the account of the Nativity in your Bible, then study his life and ministry where he demonstrated love to people around him, especially the ordinary folk, sheep without a shepherd. This extraordinary man is the same man whose birthday we celebrate at this time of year. Visit us at NTCC or a church near you, to hear the good news, and receive the best gift of all, the peace of Jesus in your hearts at Christmas time.

May all of you experience blessings at this time.

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Paphos Classic Vehicle Club

Paphos Classic Vehicle Club is a group of people who either own or appreciate classic vehicles; both two- and four-wheeled, and enjoy getting together, using and discussing them. We usually hold our monthly socials at the Ayios Epiphanios Taverna in Anarita on the third Saturday of the month at 4pm.

vehicles in the meantime.

Not all members actually own a classic vehicle, and some that do are in the process of restoring them and use their ‘modern’

November started with the Annual Scrabble Run, which was held on a slightly damp and drizzly day, but the weather did not detract from the fun.

This was the first event Chris and Tony had organised for us and it was a great drive, culminating in lunch at Neromylo in Stenli, which is certainly to be recommended.

The regular monthly meeting in Anarita was well attended and plans were made for the AGM, which was held at the end of the month. Some members also attended the show held by the Cyprus Classic Car Touring Club at the State Fairground in Nicosia.

December will be a fairly quite month, with only the regular Boxing Day Lunch, which this year will be held at Gustoso’s on the Tomb of the Kings Road.

Contact us on e-mail address: paphclassics@gmail.com Phone: 99791872 Or view our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Paphclassics and website: www.paphoscvc.com for regular updates and details of events.

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© Grapevine • December 2014

It’s All Korean to Me!

by Demetris Georgiades

According to a recent article by the American Modern Language Association, the most commonly studied languages at American schools, language schools and universities are the following: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, and Portuguese. The article also noted that the American State Department provides its staff with groupings of languages (see below), in which tongues are placed in one of three categories, according to the level of difficulty they present to English-speakers in achieving proficiency. Greek is placed in the ‘Medium’ category. The AMLA advises that the most important factor in learning a new language is naturally up to each learner. The easiest language to learn is the one that you are most motivated to learn, the one you enjoy speaking, the one with the culture that inspires you and the history that touches you spiritually. Living in Cyprus, you might find that Greek is one of your top language choices!

Category 1 - ‘Easy to learn’ The “easiest” languages for speakers of English, requiring 600 hours of classwork for proficiency: the Latin and Germanic languages. German itself requires a bit more time, 750 hours.

Category 2 - ‘Medium difficulty’ Medium level of difficulty, requiring 1000 hours of classwork: Slavic languages, other Indo-Europeans such as Greek, Persian and Hindi, Turkic languages and some non-Indo-European languages such as Georgian, Hebrew and many African languages.

Category 3 - ‘Difficult to learn’ Languages which provide significant difficulty for English speakers, requiring 2200 hours of study: Arabic, Japanese, Korean and the Chinese languages.

vowels, but includes some consonants that don’t exist in English. The alphabet is a formidable obstacle, and good calligraphy is highly valued and difficult to perfect. Vowels are not normally written and this can be an obstacle for reading.

7. Portuguese. Category One. One of the most widely spoken languages in the world is often overlooked. It has a familiar Latin grammar and vocabulary, though the phonetics may take some getting used to.

8. Japanese. Category Three. Difficult to learn, as the vocabulary is unfamiliar, and the requirements of the sound system so strict that even the many words that have been borrowed from English, French and German will seem unrecognizable. With three different writing systems, it is forbiddingly difficult to read and write.

9. Chinese. Category Three. Whether your choice is Mandarin or Cantonese (the MLA survey does not make a distinction, oddly enough). It is the most difficult language on this list. It includes all of the most difficult aspects: unfamiliar phonemes, a large number of tones, an extremely complex writing system, and an equally unfamiliar vocabulary. On the positive side, it is easy to find, since Chinese communities exist throughout the world, as are Chinese language media, such as newspapers, films and TV. 10. Korean. Category Three. Korean uses an alphabet of 24 symbols, which accurately represent 14 consonants and 10 vowels. However, the language also includes 2000 commonly used Chinese characters for literary writing and formal documents. Speech levels and honorific adjustment complicate the learning of vocabulary, and there is often liaison between words, making them hard to distinguish.

Learn Greek with Canadian-Cypriot teacher Demetris Georgiades this November. Being able to use the local language adds a bright, new dimension to life in Cyprus! Lessons are held in small, informal groups and the fee is only 20 euros, with your first month FREE! Book your place now! Call: 26.910322 or 99.347502.

The American State Department summaries on specific languages: 1. Spanish. Category One. The straightforward grammar is familiar and regular. It is also ubiquitous in the Americas, the only foreign language with a major presence in the insular linguistic environment of the U.S. Chances to speak and hear it abound. It is the overwhelming favourite, accounting for more than fifty percent of language study enrolment.

2. French. Category One. Grammatically complex but not difficult to learn because so many of it’s words have entered English. For this vocabulary affinity, it is easy to attain an advanced level, especially in reading. It is a world language, and a motivated learner will find this language on the internet, in films and music.

3. German. Category One Plus. The syntax and grammar rules are complex with noun declensions a major problem. It is the easiest language to begin speaking, with a basic vocabulary akin to English. Abstract, advanced language differs markedly, though, where English opts for Latin terms. It values clear enunciation, so listening comprehension is not difficult.

4. Italian. Category One. It has the same simple grammar rules as Spanish, a familiar vocabulary and the clearest enunciation among Latin languages (along with Romanian). Italian skills are easily transferable to French or Spanish. You might need to go to Italy to practice it, but there are worse things that could happen to you. It is also encountered in the world of opera and classical music.

5. Greek. Category Two. This highly inflected language, with declensions, is average in terms of difficulty. The alphabet is not particularly difficult, however, and once you can read the language, the numerous modern borrowings from English, French and other languages are a pleasant surprise. It is increasingly accessible.

6. Arabic. Category Three. Arabic is spoken in dozens of countries, but the many national dialects can be mutually incomprehensible. It has only three © Grapevine • December 2014

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES

THE TIMBER SPECIALISTS

MOBILE AUTO ENGINEER British trained with over 35 years experience. Any vehicle catered for. Call any time 99 802067.

See Main advert for more details.

MARK The CARPENTER

City & Guilds, also advanced craft, 27 yrs experience, kitchens, storage solutions, suspended ceilings, bedrooms, pergolas, fencing, decking, sound/heat insulation. All bespoke joinery. Portfolio/references. All workmanship guaranteed. Free quotes. Mark: 96 395309 or email cypruscarpenter@yahoo.co.uk

MARTYN THE ELECTRICIAN

British electrician available for all electrical work big or small, fully qualified City & Guilds 236/2391 & NICEIC level. Extra sockets, water heaters, lights, installation work, testing, inspection and fault finding. Please call Martyn on tel 96 558321. Paphos, Peyia & Polis areas. 24-hour call out. For further info please visit www.electriciancyprus.com

NICK’S MAINTENANCE SERVICES

British trained and fully qualified electrician, plumber and gas engineer able to carry out all types of repairs and maintenance on your home, garden or pool.

Call 99 009798 for a free quotation. Paphos district.

FRIENDLY ENGLISH GARDENER

Friendly, reliable Englishman with 20 years gardening experience & City & Guilds qualifications, certificates & references available. Weekly/fortnightly/as required. For a free quotation & consultation call Peter 99 137874 or PJ 96 234965 or check us out at www.thepaphosgardeners.com

EXPERIENCED UPHOLSTERER

Soft furnishings, curtains, alterations, garden furniture, loose covers, canopies, large selection of quality fabrics & canvas available. For free quotation ring Busy Bees on 99 229778 or 99 250789.

THE COMPLETE PROPERTY SOLUTION

Madock Ltd, UK Insurance approved. All work undertaken by fully qualified tradesmen. Electrical (17th edition), plumbing including central heating, building work, carpentry, plastering, painting & decorating, tiling & roofing, mains sewerage connection, kitchens, bathrooms & bedrooms. No job too small. Call Tony on 99 009665 for a free, no obligation quote.

Carports, Sheds, Pergolas, Decking, Gazebos, Fencing, Gates. UK Tradesmen, reliable and trustworthy. For a free quote or consultation please call Alan 99 931667

SAM’S DECORATIONS

Professional plasterers and painters. Alterations, tiling, stonework, graffiadou, roofs and ceiling repairs, plasterboard works, tape and joining and much more.

Please don’t hesitate to call Sam for your free quote.

Tel 96 330553 or 99 262147.

ALPHA CARPENTRY & JOINERY

Fully qualified carpenters, 28 yrs experience, custom made joinery i.e. storage solutions. Radiator cabinets with wide range of grills. All types of fencing & gates, pergolas, carports, wooden or composite decking. Plasterboard partitions & suspended ceilings. References available & all workmanship fully guaranteed. For all your woodworking needs with free quotes please call Mark 96 395309 or Rab 96 845598. email: alphacarpentrycyprus@yahoo.com

ATOM EXTERMINATORS LTD

Pest Control, Termites, Woodworm, Rodents, Fleas etc.

Members of British Pest Control Association, Royal Society of Health U.K. Licensed by Ministry of Agriculture (License n.9) Tel: 26 220336, 99637193.

PRP COMPUTER SERVICES

UK Trained Technician. A computer service you can trust.

PC & Laptop repairs. Computer tuition. Paphos area covered. No call out fee! Call Paul 97657519.

“QUALIFIED BUILDING TRADESMEN

Extensions, Roofing, Crazy Paving, Tiling, Stone Walls & Plastering. All types of building work undertaken, Quality Guaranteed. See our work on Facebook: Home Front Cyprus. Call now for a free quote: 26812660; 96227887 or email: admin@homefront-cyprus.com

COMPLETE HOME MAINTENANCE

Painting, roofs, damp solutions, all building works, patios, pools and gardens. Double glazing. Excellent prices all fully qualified with references. Please call. 99 90 55 44

MAN AND VAN

No job too big or small, all areas covered, reliable service at reasonable rates. Superhome / Ikea pick up plus assembled in your home. Call Tony 99 943749.

PROPERTIES FOR RENT FOR RENT - LOVELY KAMARES BUNGALOW 3 Bed. detached villa 2.5 bathrooms, superb unobstructed views, lovely private garden, pool plus jacuzzi. Steps up to the villa from large garage and off road parking area. With full title deeds. 275,000 Euros.

Tel: 99 905544

WANTED LEAVING CYPRUS??

Cars bought for Cash 99 315649.

FOR SALE PEBBLE REBEL Ladies Fashion Boutique. High street clothing – accessories – gifts – crafts. Come and browse around our shop in Pissouri. Also market stalls across the island. See us on Facebook, telephone 97718013 or visit our website www.pebblerebelcyprus.com – 10% off with this advert.

HAIR @ HOME (YOURS OR MINE)

Your own personal stylist on call 24/7 to care for your hair.

Ladies, Gents and Children welcome.

Please phone 97 805966.

SPA TONIC HEALTH CLUB FITNESS CLASSES

€7 per class or FREE with a Spa Tonic membership. Zumba step, Legs, bums & tums, Aqua aerobics, Yoga, Relaxation & meditation, Absolute abs, TRX & resistance band training, Zumba, Pilates, Combat, Dancercise, Gym circuits, Tennis coaching, Step aerobics, Circuit training. Spa Tonic.

Crown Resorts Horizon, Coral Bay. Tel: 26623924.

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To advertise here send: Your advert clearly written including € 10 for 30 words inclusive of VAT. Use the grid provided below. Extra words are chargeable at € 0.25 each. Carefully count the number of words and decide how many insertions you require. Payment must be included with order. Post your advert to PO Box 62068, Paphos, 8060 or call direct to our office at 24a Marias Loizidou, Paphos, 8047. Deadline -15th of the preceding month.

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COST =€ 10 plus (No. boxes x € 0.25 x (No. months advert to run) = Your cheque to A. M. Morrison 38

© Grapevine • December 2014

Š Grapevine • December 2014

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Š Grapevine • December 2014