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Paphos Local News November 2016

Nominations open for Hearts of Gold Awards
By Bejay Browne
 
Nominations are now being accepted for the annual Hearts of Gold Award Cyprus, and this year can be made via a new website.
 
Organisers said: “Every year, we rely on the public to let us know all about the people that are doing something terrific or are extra special. Our thanks for this and also to all of the wonderful people in our community which means that we have a reason to honour them with these awards.”
 
Nominations for the 2016 awards should be between 50-100 words and include contact details of the nominee, along with the contact details of the person nominating them.
“Think carefully about who you are nominating and why. We will inform successful nominees at the beginning of December.”
 
The awards are open to individuals only, of any nationality, living in the district of Paphos. Businesses are not eligible for the awards. The closing date is Saturday December 3.
 
Marios Joannou Elia is Patron of the award for the third year, and said he is proud to be part of such an important event.
 
“It is an honour to be the patron of this important philanthropic community-based award for the third year, which promotes courage and courageous behaviour, as well as ethical values. All these are indicators of our cultural status.”
 
This year, the Paphos Hearts of Gold award has been renamed- ‘Hearts of Gold Cyprus,’ as in the future the popular awards will be open to residents in other areas of the island.
However, this year, as with previous years, the awards are open only to those living in the district of Paphos
 
The Hearts of Gold Award Cyprus is a way to thank those children and adults which are extra special in some way. Members of the public can nominate people each year, that they feel are deserving and the winners are chosen by a panel of judges.
 
There are four awards in the 2016 programme and they are all philanthropic, community-based awards which aim 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 have simply been a great help and support to neighbours and friends.
 
This year’s annual Hearts of Gold Award ceremony will be held at Palia Ilektriki Cultural Centre in Paphos on Friday December 9th. Nominees and their families will be invited to attend the ceremony.
 
Entertainment will be provided by the Paphos Zingers and George Michaelides who will represent Cyprus at Junior Eurovision in Malta on November 20. Father Christmas will also be making an appearance with gifts for the children.
 
All nominees will be given a certificate and a flower.
 
The winner of the adult and junior Heart of Gold Award will receive a solid gold pin, hand crafted by Aphrodite Jewellers, a certificate and a bouquet of flowers.
 
The adult winner will also receive a weekend stay and dinner at the five star luxury Almyra Hotel.
 
The Lifetime Achievement Award and Jasmitha Award for Courage winners will receive certificates, flowers and awards.
 
Both winners in the adult section will also win a large box of artisan chocolates and winners in the children’s section will take home special junior hampers.
 
Refreshments will also be provided and as space is limited, this is an invitation only event.
 
Nominations can be made three ways: by emailing –  info@heartsofgoldcyprus.com  or by private message on the dedicated Facebook page, or by post to Hearts of Gold Cyprus 2016, PO Box 64142, Paphos, 8072, Cyprus.
 
Please ensure that postal nominations will arrive in plenty of time before the closing date of December 3, 2016.
 
For further information: www.heartsofgoldcyprus.com
 
The awards are supported by: Paphos Municipality, British High Commission Nicosia, Aphrodite Jewellery, Almyra Hotel, Massiva printers, Cyprus Mail, The Paphos Post, Radio Pafos, Flybynite Media, Palia Ilektriki Restaurant Paphos, Chris Hopkins Photography, TOTT Events and Joulietta Chocolatier and Patissier.
 
 
Paphos youngsters dance to success
By Bejay Browne
 
Two talented Paphos teenagers are vying to take the crown at this year’s popular Mega TV show- ‘DanSing Junior.’
 
Thirteen year old British resident, Georgina Moakler, has lived in Peyia in Paphos with her family for the last ten years and dreams of winning this year’s high profile competition.
So too does 12 year old Nikoletta Antoniou, a Cypriot born dancer from Paphos.
 
Both girls attend the Young Stars Theatre and Performing Arts School in Kissonerga in Paphos, which is run by Principal Anna Michaelides.
 
Michaelides’ son George, who also attends the school, will represent Cyprus at the upcoming Junior Eurovision to be held in Malta on November 20.
 
Georgina is the only British dancer to ever compete in the show, which is filmed in front of a live audience, and she is thoroughly enjoying it. And Nikoletta wowed judges with a beautiful lyrical piece at her June audition, which won her a ‘golden ticket’, taking her straight through to the live shows.
 
Eleven children were chosen in the dance category and eleven in the singing. The judges will crown the best dancer and the best singer, as there are two separate awards.
 
Along with other competitors, including Georgina, Nikoletta will have to perform different songs or dances each week, depending on their field, and the judges deliver weekly individual scores. None of the children are eliminated during the series and during the final weekend, the public are invited to vote for their favourites.
 
The singing and dancing TV show is broadcast every Saturday and Sunday night and sees talented young singers and dancers compete for the two top spots.
 Each performer faces a panel of three Mega TV judges who give the dancers and singers scores and feedback at the end of each routine.
           
The girls will face the public to vote on December 18; the only time viewers can vote for their favourite.
 
 
CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET TO BE HELD IN PAPHOS
 
Its exciting and its where its all happening - get in the Christmas cheer!
 
The floodlit Christmas night market will take place December 8th, 5pm - 9pm in the huge car park in front of REVIVAL Fashions and The Paphos Post office on the main Coral Bay Road (Kissonerga) Paphos. Additional Christmas lighting has been organized to enhance the festive atmosphere.
 
This will be the 4th Night Market by very popular demand from the community and stall holders alike and it gives us all the opportunity to help the needy in Paphos. 
 
The Keg & Barrel are supplying a Full bar serving beer, wine & spirits, soft drinks & delicious hot food.  Teas, coffees, cakes, mulled wine & many festive delights will be available and over 50 stalls will be exhibiting all sorts of items (this is your chance to buy your Christmas gifts!) we have many local crafts stalls, books, vinyl records, jewellery, bric a brac, cakes, pastries, sweets, homemade preserves; there will also be charity stalls and lots more!
 
The entertainment will kick off at about 7pm with the 'Zingers' choir singing Christmas carols, there will be a 'jukebox jive' with DJ Dave and a dance team from Young Stars will be performing and Judith Evans Davies will be singing a solo to round off the evening!
 
Although Solidarity charity which provided a lifeline for thousands of needy people in Paphos closed its doors earlier this year a number of churches and groups are continuing to offer vital help to those still in need
 
"Five euros from every stall at the Night Market will go to the Pcfi Matthew 25 project which helps to feed over 50 families in Paphos every week by giving them a bag of necessary groceries. This includes pasta, rice, tinned goods and toiletries.
People may also bring donations of non-perishable foodstuffs to the night market.
 
This project has been set up by Paphos Christian Fellowship international Church and is also supported by the Calvary Chapel.
 
There will also be a huge Raffle which will be drawn on the night and tickets will  be available at only 2 euros each from Monday 7th November from Revival fashion store & other outlets. There are over 40 amazing raffle prizes which have been donated by generous local businesses & stall holders.
 
 
Beautifying Paphos
By Bejay Browne          
 
Paphos municipality is intensifying efforts to clean up its image and with this aim has launched a programme which will enable residents to obtain free paint to decorate the outside of their homes.
 
A municipality spokesman said: “We are offering free courtesy paint to those who submit an application, as part of our efforts to promote Paphos as a decent and clean city.” 
 
The innovative project is titled: "I paint my house, clean my neighbourhood,and beautify my city."
 
The programme is open to all residents of Paphos (living within the Paphos municipality boundaries) whose homes have an exterior that needs painting, after submitting an application.
 
He noted that the conditions and procedures for participating in the programme are as follows: “The programme only covers the outside of the building, the Technical Department of Paphos municipality will visit the building and certify that it needs painting, the municipality will offer a free specific quantity of paint, depending on the total outer surface of each house.”
 
In addition, the costs of workers to carry out the painting and preparatory work will be borne entirely by the applicant, the colour will be agreed in advance and based on the data of each region.
 
With the approval of the request, the municipality will grant half of the quantity of paint, while the remaining required amount will be given immediately, as required, depending on the progress of work.
 
The municipality plans to keep a firm grip on the programme, insuring that the projects will be completed.
 
“If for any reason the project is not started or not completed, the municipality will have the right to claim damages,” he warned, adding that all work will be performed under the technical supervision of the municipality or another authorised officer.
 
Approved requests will also include specific conditions which will be agreed in advance with the municipality technician, based on the type of surface to be painted.
 
He said that requests that are submitted collectively from a particular neighbourhood, will receive priority.
 
Other stipulations state that participants own the properties and hold all relevant licenses. The premises to which requests pertains should have been constructed prior to 2010.
 
We are accepting applications now, those interested should come to the public service department at the municipality to collect the forms. This phase of the project is open until November 30, 2016, and then the evaluation of all applications and the start of the paint work will commence.”
 
Paphos is readying itself ahead of the Cultural Capital of Europe 2017 title, an honour which it will share with Aarhus in Denmark.
 
For more information call: 26822270 or contact the Service Centre October 28th Square, Paphos during working days and hours to collect and deposit applications.
 
 
 
Gift of Love appeal is launched
By Bejay Browne
 
The Gift of Love appeal which sees the public fill hundreds of shoeboxes with Christmas gifts and raise cash for needy children and their families in Paphos has been launched again this year.
 
Volunteer organisers, Dikla Smith and Mikka Heaney, both agreed there is still a need to ensure children are given gifts this year.
 
Currently, Paphos municipality social welfare department is collating a list of children from underprivileged families that are registered with them that the appeal will help.
 
Heaney said children of needy families from surrounding villages would be included as well.
 
“Solidarity charity which helped needy families may have closed, but the kids are still there, they can’t be forgotten. This is about the spirit of Christmas, it’s the time of year for giving and every child should receive a gift.”
 
This year, bespoke shoe boxes are being made and will be available from drop off and collection points- which are listed on their Facebook page- across Paphos for a small fee of one euro, making it easier for the public, said Smith.
 
Boxes must be clearly marked whether they are for boys or girls and the age category. The gifts must be of a suitable size to fit into a shoebox.
 
The age categories cover a two year span, such as 0-2 years, 2- 4 years and so on. Each box should be clearly labelled whether it’s for a boy or girl and the age group it’s suitable for.
 
Boxes will be available from the second week in November until December 15, but this may be extended, said Heaney.
 
Smith said that a charity tournament is also being organised at Olymipico football pitch in Paphos on November 20. Teams of groups of players aged 6-13 years are being invited to take part, she said.
There will also be a fair and food and drinks, she added.
 
“There will be a charge of three euros for each player and all of the money raised will go to Gift of Love. Please get in touch and let us know you want to take part,” she said.
 
In addition, the volunteers are appealing for delivery drivers who have trucks as presents this years will be taken to schools, halls and community centres.
 
For further information call Dikla Smith on 97 789099, Mikka Heaney 96 462558.
 
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GiftOfLovePaphos/

 

 

 

 

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