APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 1 www.theagiot.net Tel: (0030) 26610 58177 The

78th Edition Agiot

This Month Agiotfest. Page 1 Agiotfest

Sponsors of Agiotfest Page 2 Live at the Cactus Hilton

Village News. By and because I‟d seen the high spots I Page 3 Heather Skinner thought, what can I do to make a differ- In memory of Zaira. Page 3 ence?”, and so Agiot Fest was born. The „Cactus Hilton‟ is the affectionate th Now in its 6 year, Agiot Fest 2014, tak- Letters to the Editor. name given to the old cactus fields nestled th Page 3-4 in the olive groves of Agios Ioannis ing place on Saturday 30 August, promises

When Nitsa Was Young. (Triklino) in the centre of where the another night of great music „Live at the Page 5 island‟s hippy visitors first came to the is- Cactus Hilton‟. The full line-up is expected Greek Easter. land, and where the first ever youth hostel to be finalized towards the end of April, but Page 6 was established. The Cactus Hilton was you can expect a varied line-up of local and Aunty Lula’s Love-Bites. where these free-spirited visitors would pitch Page 7 international performers. For updates on tents in the cactus fields if they didn‟t have Video Corner. Agiot Fest 2014 you can follow on Facebook Page 7 the funds to stay at the youth hostel, or if they preferred to sleep outdoors. https://www.facebook.com/agiotfest; Twit- Photo Corner. ter @Agiotfest1; or on Pinterest Agiotfest Page 7 In 2009, reviving the free-spirited feel of the 60s and 70s, the island‟s first Agiofest 2014. Bereavement Announce- brought The Dylan Project to Corfu, featur- ment. Page 7 ing Steve Gibbons, PJ Wright and Phil 6TH ANNUAL AGIOTFEST Fleshpots of the North. Bond, along with Fairport Convention‟s AUGUST 30 Page 8-9 Dave Pegg (ex-Jethro Tull) and Gerry Con- AGIOS IOANNIS, CORFU

Corfu Weather Statistics. way (ex-Cat Stevens). THIS YEAR ALL-WEATHER SPONSORED BY Page 9 The driver behind Agiot Fest is Paul http://villaoasiscorfu.com/ Nick the Clock’s World. McGovern who met his Greek wife in the FULLINE-UP INCLUDING Page 10 ROCK,FOLK,GREEK, MORE. UK, but moved to Corfu to retire. While LONGEST-RUNNING FESTIVAL OF ITS TYPE Ocay Villas Advertise- Paul told me that, for the first 9 years he ment. IN CORFU Page 11 lived in Corfu he “languished well” he had a FREEDOM OF CHOICE WITH FOOD/DRINK/ desire to do something to regenerate the vil- PICNIC PARADISE Custom built homes in Corfu. lage. He had seen tourism to Agios Ioannis CHARITIES SPONSORED Page 11 change dramatically since its heyday in the RAFFLE PRIZES GATES WILL OPEN EARLY, PROG. WILL The World of Simon. mid 1980s. By the early 1990s there were Page 12 START APP 7.30 less tourists to the village, although there TICKET OUTLETS/TOILETS/COACHES FROM Obnoxious Al. was a bit of breakthrough in the mid 1990s AROUND ISLAND Page13 ST with more cyclists and walkers, particularly TICKETS ON SALE FROM MAY 1 WITH DE- Raffle Announcement for from the Netherlands. Over a glass of wine TAILS ON BANDS AND ACTS Agiotfest 2014. IT IS STILL NOT TOO LATE TO SUGGEST Page14 and seafood mezze at Nautilus in Garitsa, ACTS OR MAIL IN IF YOU ARE ONE. Paul recounted that “I got back into com- merce in the mid-90s. The village was fragile,

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 2

Agiotfest Sponsors

And: OCAY Property Services Fully licensed under Greek law, OCAY Property Services offers both land and prop- erty for sale, mostly in the central region of Corfu. They can also handle the entire design and construction of a home including all licences, taxes, etc. Boatman’s World NSK Daylong Famous Grouse Daylong have been working in the compression hosiery market for over 50 years and Sofia Kasfiki have a wealth of experience in providing the right solution for their customers. They Sergio Grammatikos stock one of the widest ranges of products available in the UK including specialist medical products, sports ranges and a full range of fashionable support stockings and Eco-Point tights. Sally’s Bar Paul & Jan Scotter Mouse House Scaffold Design Ltd Ken & Jan Harrop Design of temporary structures in tube and fittings and various proprietary scaffolding systems including temporary roofs, facade shores and difficult access solutions all de- Steve Dell signs carried out in accordance with all current British and European standards and Steve Young regulations. Jo & Mel Sperling Spear Travels Lionel Mann If you are looking for a travel agent who will spend the time to come up with the exact Sue Done holiday that you want, in the right place and at the right budget for you, and knows what Michael Spiggos they are talking about as well, Spear Travels can provide a huge choice and offer holi- days with the smaller tour operators that are often not available on the High Street. Tavola Calda Bill & June Williams Green Island Spyros Hytiris Holiday Accommodation on the Greenest Island of : Corfu. Specialized in the Brenda Pangrakiotis Dutch & the British tourist market Nikolas's Taverna, Agni

Vassilis Pandis

In Action gym Vrionis With us since 2009, every year Bill Vrionis supplies the best of sound and lighting. Visit Star Bowl his excellent shop on town Greg Zoxios La Tabernita Mexicana Barry & Stella Knight British Corner Shop The largest selection of British food in Greece. Favourite leading brands including David Dickinson Waitrose groceries and Iceland frozen foods. Plus a selection of confectionery, ice Sarah Young cream, soft drinks, beers & wine, dairy produce, household cleaners, personal care, newspapers, magazines and greetings cards. Heather Skinner Simon & Lin Baddeley Bob & Jill Carr Sunrise Cars Discover the hidden beauties of the island with the hospitality and security of Sunrise Chas Clifton Rent a Car. Situated on the main road opposite the customs buildings at the New Port, Rob Groove this company has been operating since 1980 and due to its experience can offer the best services and prices.

Nikos Pouliasis A local and much-respected architect and Mekanikos, Mr Pouliasis has been designing houses across Corfu for many years. He is always kind, patient and fair-minded. Also, his rates are consistently competitive!

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IN MEMORY OF Village News Too many Agiots and friends are dying By ting out in the warm sunshine. lately. This is one article I‟d rather not have. Dr. Lionel Mann To judge from the bleating in

the hotel garden preparations for Zaira Sourianou passed away on 15th of Last month we reported that Easter are well under way. This year March at the home of her son Kostas, in Zaira had been discharged from Kastelani. following hospitalisation in hospital; it is with great regret that Western and Eastern Easter are the September and a slow decline after re- we now report that she has died, same date, April 20th. lease.. aged 82. She was 82.

More happily we have been told For years she had sat on her little front that Wolfgang is making good re- patio and watched the world go by. In covery. previous times she had shared this occu- Spring flowers are blooming in pation with her husband Ioannis. Since wild profusion and leaves are ap- living in this small and well-loved street I have watched the leaves gradually fall, to pearing on the plane trees in the be replaced by young shoots. Of the plateia. We have suffered one or „older folk‟, now only Kostas, Nitsa, Rika two spectacular thunderstorms, but and Lionel remain of the originals. nobody has been washed away. R.I.P. There have been many days for sit-

shopping period. Businesses should

Letters to the Editor not shut during the afternoon and and Kosovo (and nearly in Syria; reopen from 5.30 til late (many, Dear Ed, could yet be); and does he not re- including chain supermarkets and member that supranational allianc- tourist shops, don't close anyway). In his March column, Lionel stated es stuck in their bloody fingers in So, I asked, they should be like Ger- his belief that 'Europa [the Europe- Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan many? 'YES THEY SHOULD!' was an Union] is one of the greatest and Libya? A political and econom- the angry reply (Lionel literally advances in the entire story of the ic union of nation states is not go- shakes with rage if you dare criticise human race'. Later in the article, he ing to prevent old men sending the EU). My answer was that if they declares: 'Patriotism kills. young ones to their death in war- were forced into 9-5 opening, busi- Nationalism slaughters. Chauvin- fare, though their own lands may ness would be almost non-existent ism murders.' He desires to see na- not be the ones that are ravaged. If on summer afternoons when locals tion states destroyed to prevent there's war with Russia over go home for lunch and a doze. 'their lands [being] fought over and Ukraine, it'll be NATO which Mediterranean folk like to prome- ravaged by foreign armies'. I'd like fights it. nade, shop and socialise in the cool to deal with this here. In the case of Russia, Lionel is with of THE EVENING; why should Forget Orwell at your peril. in me in liking Putin for sticking up Germany have the right to reshape '1984', the world no longer com- for the right of his own country to the custom of centuries, to alter a prises nation states but is parti- remain sovereign and stay out of way of life which suits our climate, tioned into three vast power blocks, the race for Globalism. Let's get so different from theirs? People are which - despite the presumed de- that right... in the World According just not going to comply. struction of the prior nation states to Lionel, Russia is permitted to He also believes that Greece would with their ruinous notions of look after its own national interests, not be in its present pickle if it had 'Patriotism ... Nationalism [and] but European nations are not to be been more like Germany. He Chauvinism' - still manage to exist trusted to do the same. doesn't see the present pickle was in a condition of perpetual warfare. Nations, Lionel says, 'will have to planned; instead, he truly believes it And does Lionel forget that it was sacrifice a sacred cow or two'. was the Greeks' own fault. NATO (a supranational body) that One which he believes Greece will got itself involved in Bosnia, Serbia have to sacrifice is the evening Continued on Page 4

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 4 Letters to the Editor Trail, all 220 kilometres of it, was ness-produced GMO rubbish, Continued from Page 3 funded mostly by a private source needy of their

to the tune of around a quarter of (corporate) oil and gas, accepting of Don't get me wrong; I sincerely the Old Perithia path's budget - ra- their manipulated (corporate) wars, hope, for entirely selfish reasons, ther better value for money per kilo- and entertained by their dumbed- that the UK stays in the EU (Less metre, what?). If the very small in- down (corporate) media. selfishly, I would always prefer for terventions on this path - makeshift And the EU is enabling it. the UK to be in partnership with its signs long stolen, picnic tables long Recommended reading: A Century nearest neighbours, rather than offi- rotted, and a portaloo permanently of War: Anglo-American Oil Poli- cially the 51st State of the USA). I locked - cost more than a few thou- tics and the New World Order by greatly fear that a UK exit would sand I should be surprised. William Engdahl. An alternative provoke difficulties for Brit expats Your tax money goes on scams like review of world history since 1815, in Europe, since in theory we would this, scams which enable local coun- which explains the real reason for not longer have the right to reside cil members to trouser your earn- events. Read it and you'll under- in EU regions. Would we have to ings. And yes, the EU knows what's stand what's truly going on now. present regular proof of foreign ex- going on and what's more condones You can obtain a download with an change, as in pre-EU days? it. Internet search. Would we be permitted to work? Back to Ukraine. Whatever your I'll return to Nature Rambles next Would we be the target of national- views on its politics, a democratical- week... ists like Golden Dawn? Would EU ly-elected government was over- regions receive orders from on high thrown by a gang of mainly fascist Hilary Papeiti to make life difficult for us, in re- thugs, egged on by elements des- venge at the UK pull-out? patched from the EU and the USA Trust that the EU is a benign organ- (this is documented, not specula- isation is misplaced, I believe. It is Sent in by Paul Grove - tive). This is warmongering and em- demonstrably undemocratic, run by pire-building by proxy, initiated in a self-serving unelected elite, and part by the organisation which Li- such is the level of corruption that onel believes is designed to stop it has not had its accounts audited 'incessant strife' on our continent. for nearly two decades. Grandiose With a few notable exceptions, the regional programmes involving in- mass media are spouting anti-Russia frastructure and other projects propaganda. The whole scenario is simply serve as bribes to keep local aimed at punishing Putin for daring authorities 'sweet' and in the pen (it to bring Ukraine more strongly into is noticeable that most funding goes Russia's sphere of influence, and for to local council projects). A good rejecting the onward march of the example can be viewed in Old Per- Globalist corporations/New World ithia, where the obligatory advertis- Order - the ones who are the pup- ing board trumpets that nearly petmasters of the EU, which sold 100,000 euros has gone to fund the out long ago to the dollar NWO creation of a seven kilometre foot- corporate elite which really runs path between the village and things. Krinous, a settlement lower down. This elite wishes for a world in Really? Out of that seven kilometres which everything is set up to suck about four were pre-existing agricul- Micky Clark unveils his “Twiglets” for wealth from ordinary people into tural roads, and the central section the first time in 2014 having driven their deep pockets. These people 1,200 miles to be first in line for a ticket of around three kilometres had regard the common folk as no more for the Agiotfest. been cleared a decade previously, than consumer units; they want us when the Corfu Trail organisation addicted to (corporate) fast food opened up and waymarked an old and health-damaging pharmaceuti- donkey path, no longer used and cals, fed with (corporate) agribusi- choked with vegetation. (The Corfu

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 5 Within three months the little Princesses could speak German. When Nitsa was Young They liked it here. On the week- By ladies were strict but not cruel. ends they were taken on trips. They Lord Biro Naughty children were put into a went to their first fair and saw their dark room but crafty Lula had first Big Wheel. Lula saw her first Chapter 8: Princesses in Germany. worked out where the switch was Christmas tree and lights. On St and a chair to reach it. There were Nicholas‟ Day Kostas watched his four Greek children in the school, girls recite poems at the kindergar- the rest being German. A boy ten and receive their presents. On a named Thomas bullied little Anna, starker note, an hour away from she was terrified of him. Lula used Windischeschenbach they were tak- to beat him up. She was very protec- en to see a small crematorium from tive of her little sister. Every after- World War 11, where 60,000 had noon their father would walk from perished. the factory to town to pick them The factory was also impressive up. There they would be standing, to young minds. It had seven stories hand in hand waiting for him. and lifts! When Kostas and Nitsa “Lula & Anna” worked overtime, there were other relatives from Corfu on hand to Kostas took his little Princesses babysit; Nitsa‟s brothers Giorgos over to Brindisi, up to Munich by and Teo, and Kostas‟ sister Katina, train and then changing for who had her little boy Xari with her Windischeschenbach and the new and her husband Nikos - Nikos lat- houses. The journey took about a er became the priest in Vatos. day. At Munich station little Lula This happy life lasted three years discovered a press-button fountain in Germany, with one paid holiday near the toilets. What a novelty! to Corfu after the first year. In late Kostas was beginning to wonder “Porclain Factory” August 1965 it was ripe for a return why his daughter had been down- to the island. It was time for some stairs for the toilet three times al- Nitsa‟s job at the porcelain facto- ry was to dip pieces into a glaze be- Greek schooling for the sisters. ready. Whatever could be up? He Grandad Ioannis had been running was irritated because he had to fore firing; 6000 per day was her target. She had to wear protective the kafeneio during their absence. leave the luggage upstairs unattend- But now the first tourists came to ed whilst he went to see what was gloves and stand all day, which did not help her troublesome back. She the village, young hippy travellers. happening. What was happening? No food in those days in the Pools of water everywhere, that‟s stood in a line of three or four women. Kostas and Nitsa both re- plateia, but beer, wine and ciga- what. rettes were in abundance. Nitsa was waiting in her dressing told that the work was hard, but less so than the manual labour they There remained one last return gown to welcome the children; she to Germany for Kostas Halikia. In had not seen them for six months. had been used to in Corfu. Kostas‟ hourly rate was now two Marks and 1969 his sister Sofia recommended Lula ran straight into her arms, she him for a good job in a paper facto- remembers. twelve pfennigs per hour, Nitsa was on one Mark and sixty pfennigs. ry in Dusseldorf. He earned seven Germany was new and exciting and a half Marks per hour, a big for the girls. Lula remembers every- [At this point I was waiting for Kostas to get another bout of leg increase on his earlier wage. Back thing was bright. Electric lights eve- home the taverna was becoming rywhere, not like home. For one cramp, but he must be getting used to the format, so there was no need busy by the summer of 1970.Too week she and Anna were settling in busy for Nitsa and the girls. Marika and then they were packed off to for Nitsa and the ointment, which was probably why she left the kitch- [Kostas‟ sister] lent her husband the town every morning at 7.30 by Spiros to help work the place until bus to attend kindergarten two kilo- en early, leaving her spouse to con- tinue the history.] Kostas‟ return later that year. meters away, run by Nuns. These

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The following meal was my intro- ing majorettes. Greek Easter duction to spicy Easter roast lamb as Through the afternoon Town is well as to red-dyed hard-boiled eggs, filled with families enjoying a day out. By but I cannot say that I really enjoyed At ten in the evening top-rank Dr. Lionel Mann them as I was trying hard not to fall priests meet in a church near the Lis-

from my chair; it was also my intro- ton to begin the Easter liturgy while My first encounter with the cus- duction to the potency of ouzo! crowds start to gather around the band- toms around the celebration of Easter Throughout my time in Wellington I stand. About fifteen minutes before in Greece came in New Zealand. I greatly appreciated that family‟s hospi- midnight the priests process to the had gone there as organist and choir- tality and came to relish their customs. bandstand to complete the liturgy ac- master of St. Mark‟s Church in Wel- Many thousands from all over the companied by singing of the Municipal lington and as part of the deal I lived world come to Corfu at Easter to wit- Choir and surrounded by thousands, rent-free in a comfortable apartment in ness the unique observances and to everyone with a lighted candle. Dra- return for daily teaching English to join in the celebrations, but few see the matically at midnight the Metropolitan three Greek boys. Their father, Vasili whole picture. It all starts six weeks proclaims, “Christos anesti!” (Christ is Papageorgio, has been Chief Engineer earlier on Clean Monday, the begin- risen.) of a tanker torpedoed in the Atlantic ning of the season of Lent which cul- All around make the response, in WW2. Torpedoed tankers became minates in Paska. During that time the “Alithia anesti!” (Truly he is risen.) and flaming infernos and by a miracle he faithful are supposed to abstain from the choir sing the Greek traditional escaped from the engine room and was delicacies including meat. It would be Easter hymn, “Christ is risen from rescued. He signed on to another ship, interesting to know if local butchers‟ death.” That is not well heard as a but on duty below deck with the possi- finances suffered in this period. spectacular noisy display of fireworks bility of another torpedoing took its As the end of Lent approaches bursts from the Old Fortress. toll; when they reached Auckland Va- preparations for the great day intensify; Everyone now goes off to break sili was sent to hospital. He liked New debris left by the winter storms is their Lenten fast, often with kokoretsi, Zealand, its North Island climate simi- cleared and almost everything that a meaty concoction; it is delicious, but lar to that of his native Zakyntos, so he does not move is painted white. Visi- you are seriously advised not to ask stayed and after the war brought out tors are warned against standing still what are its ingredients. his wife and some relatives to set up a for too long. The next morning, Easter Sunday, chain of Greek restaurants and later Great Week starts on Palm Sunday the entire island is pervaded by the diversified into real estate. with a large procession through Town aroma of roasting lamb and later every- At the time of my arrival in 1965 in the morning. It is a very solemn body sits down to the Easter feast. East- Vasili was a millionaire, a J.P., leader of affair with many priest, military, stu- er Monday is a national holiday in the growing Greek community in the dents, representatives of organisations order to allow everyone to recover. country, had established an Orthodox and a crowd of townspeople marching In Agios Ioannis, as in many other Church in Wellington and brought slowly to the mournful music of a villages, there is an evening candle-lit out a Greek priest. However neither number of bands. procession round the village with he nor his wife spoke much English Similar processions take place every priest, acolytes, villagers and a band or and his sons were falling behind in evening from Monday to Friday and a male-voice choir on Good Friday. school as they spoke only Greek at the largest of all from ten o‟clock on Towards midnight on Saturday a can- home, hence my requirement to teach Saturday morning, Holy Saturday, East- dle-bearing crowd gathers in the plateia them English and anything else as er Eve. Huge crowds gather to watch to be joined by priest and all from the needed. this and its sequel, but everyone takes church for the end of the liturgy until I was always invited to join them for care not to stand under a balcony or at midnight there is the usual procla- Sunday dinner and they must have window from which a red cloth hangs. mation and a very good firework dis- kept a watch for my approach as Vsaili When the clock of St. Spiridon‟s play before we go off to eat. The Sun- would meet me at the door with a glass Church strikes eleven crockery, ranging day feast is also well observed! of Scotch. Then one Sunday a few in size from teacups to giant six-foot In New Zealand, where they are weeks after I arrive he met me with a urns, is hurled from those positions. glass of clear liquid. “Today special. probably well-informed in suhk mat- All are filled with water to restrict the Greek Easter. Try.” ters, I was told that sheep-meat is lamb flights of shards and some spectators When I made to drink he told me only if the animal was no more than a become slightly soggy. It is said that to wait while he added some water and this spectacle represents anger at Judas year old. From one to two years its the liquid turned cloudy. for betraying Jesus. Bands now march meat is hogget, and from an older “You like?” around playing cheerful music and sheep the meat is mutton. No com- I did – and had another - and a often accompanied by gaily-clad danc- third! ment!

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THE PASSING OF A DEAR Aunty Lula’s Love-bites FRIEND well. Return to the heat and slowly Bake Courgette Souffle Doris Alice DARKE bring to the boil stirring. Simmer (affectionately know as Dorie) for about 3 minutes. Ingredients passed away peacefully early on 2 Tbsp. Oil Sunday, 23 March and was in- 750g Courgettes, grated 3. Cool slightly then add the egg terred in the British Cemetery on 50g Butter yolks, courgettes, salt, pepper and Monday, 24 March 2014. 50g Flour nutmeg to taste. 200 ml Milk Dorie was a dear friend of mine 3 Eggs, separated 4. Whisk the egg whites until stff and I will write a few lines about Salt & Pepper and carefully fold into the mixture. her, and her life in Corfu, in the Pinch of Nutmeg May issues of the Anglican 5. Turn into a greased 1.2 litres ov- Church Pulse magazine and The en-proof dish and place in a roast- Agiot magazine. Go: ing pan containing 2.5 cm water. Lucy STEELE, M.B.E. 1. Heat the oil in a large pan, add 6. Cook in pre-heated moderately Former British Vice Consul the courgettes and cook gently for hot oven, 190°C for about 1 hour, Corfu 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. or until it is cooked.

2. Melt the butter in another pan, remove from the heat and stir in the flour. Add the milk and mix Bon appetit!

Video Corner Photo

Corner 2 Cellos http://www.sharedots.com/2-men-with-their-cellos-produce-most- incredible-song-cover-ever-this-will-blow-your-mind-122.html

Johnny Rotten https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ2Xb4wgCL0

Pete and Dud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvQq_tqB0jA

While the cat‟s away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D5bPLxU8U8

Candyman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbjC9Co0pBc “Carnival - Corfu town”

Nice but dim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJd842n0dhQ

There but for https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152013286522499

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 8 Go-Between, L.P. Hartley The past is Fleshpots Of The North a foreign country, they do things differ- ently there. By make a change from Don Corleone! Back to Butlitz, the „big band Mark Thompson Now the answer to a previous quiz: sound‟ was provided by Kenny Ball Sasa Stolic won this years‟ Belgrade and his jazz men alternating with Howdy doodly doo (Red Dwarf sea- charity fun run (the Race of San- Acker Bilk and his jazz men. Shar- son IV, episode 4 „White Hole‟ ing the vocal duties with Roberta th ta‟s) to raise money for the chil- broadcast, 7 March 1991) and I‟d dren‟s charity attempting to combat were Kathy Kirby, Helen Shapiro like to give out a big Epidermolysis Bullosa. Many en- and Petula Clark and the novelty Kaleemera/ Kaleespera/Kherete/Kalee trants dress as Santa Claus and the act was Shirley Abicair and her zith- neekhta (depending upon the time race takes place between the two er. Meanwhile on Friday nites to of day that you‟re reading this) to Christmases. In the west, as is well offer a „little blue for‟t ‟Dads‟ was Mr. & Mrs. Les Woods of Elles- known, we celebrate Christmas on Bernard Manning. With this galaxy mere Port, The Wirral, Wirral, Mer- the 25th of December, however ac- of stars plus Watney‟s Red Barrel, seyside, Greater Merseyside, Great- cording to the Serbian Orthodox Double Diamond „working won- er Manchester (never) Cheshire, calendar Christmas falls on 6/7th of ders‟, Whitbread Tankard „the pint West Cheshire, Chester West and January when we in the west are in that thinks it‟s quart‟, a Castella Chester? anyway, in the North West. the midst of Epiphany. cigar for „the price of a pint‟ and a That town of some 80,000+ people If you go to the Daily Telegraph on- snowball with a cherry for the „little that has added so much to the cul- line there is a video with brief hi- lady‟ it must have been a great neet tural „wealth‟ of the UK by offering lites of the race and an interview art. up such artistic and sporting icons with Stolic, a middle-distance and Whilst this is all fascinating the as; Russ Abbot, Stan & Rita Cullis, marathon runner, perhaps some- quiz question relates to a musical Anastasia Dobromyslova and Johan- thing of a „ringer‟ in such a fun-run. link between Miss Flack and the nah Leedham to name but a few. Now for real quiz question, give me aforementioned seaside town. However, and this is a rhetorical the link between Roberta Flack and Big Lent started for us here in question and not part of the quiz, Great Yarmouth. I don‟t mean the Greece with Katheara Deftera (Clean when will the money ever be found famous summer residency that she Monday) on the 3rd of March. In to enable the Ellesmere Canal be undertook at the Butlitz holiday many places in Greece this is pre- completed and the connection to camp. As a diversion it‟s interesting ceded, on Sunday, by the last the Severn River be made? to look at those who also appeared apokria and throughout Greece, in- Talking of „Whitby Locks‟ and that summer. Heading the bill, with „Whitby Road‟ the last time I was the kind permission of Bill Cotton deed even in Corfu town, there are on Ellis Island in New York I saw, Director General of the BBC, were parades, parties, people dressing-up amongst the souvenirs, memorabil- the Black and White Minstrels and in custom, in some places even wav- ia and bric-a-brac collated and dis- let‟s just pause there for a moment. ing chocolate phalluses or wearing played by the US Immigration Ser- Looking back it‟s hard to believe vice a score card for the Whitby skimpy underwear on their heads, that this show ran from 1958 until Cricket Club in North Yorkshire. It here in Episkepsi we have dancing struck me as sad if not pathetic that 1978 and the sixties had audiences priests. some Yorkshire man, and I think of over 20 million ,including I‟m As for Monday, traditionally, in the it‟s fair to assume it was a man, had embarrassed to say the entirety of NE of the island, many gather on hauled such a card all the way my immediate family, apparently the beach at Almiros to fly kites and across the north of England and the without comment or complaint. consume ouzo meze. For our take short hop over the Atlantic only to Even when it was cancelled the lose or abandon it at the point of on the festivities at spiti Thompson BBC maintained that this was due entry to the US. see below: oysters with either Guin- The back story behind the presence primarily to a change in policy to ness and /or dry white wine. of the card might be boring and/or reduce „variety style‟ programming. of little interest, however it would Still to quote the first line of The Continued on Page 9

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 9

Fleshpots of the North more economic. However research their betting slips, but that need Continued from Page 8 has revealed that at high tempera- not concern us here. tures the caramel given off from the The essence of Clean Monday is burning fuel combines with sur- not to eat anything which contains rounding oxygen. When breathed- blood, hence the shellfish but not in such sugar-rich air can in one or As the second quiz question this fish also squid, octopus etc. Also on two mouthfuls contain more than this day only white taramasalata, I month please tell me the link be- adult‟s safe daily sugar consump- tween the lamp shown and the Tour kid you not, it tastes the same just tion. looks different. So if you can‟t get de France. And as we say in York- The railway accepts the evidence of shire Eeh by gum lad, Allez Sir Bradley white you should eat the pink with „passive sugar consumption‟ with Wiggo! The usual competition rules your eyes closed. enhanced fuel burnt in this way apply. That Monday morning one of the and has chosen to act without de- priests of our village greeted me in lay. In the same way the „Fat Con- tradition fashion, as follows; Hello troller‟ has embarked on a regime Mark Thompson, in the fleshpots and Monsieur to signify the start of the of diet and exercise and thus hopes on the rivet. fun. to be known hereafter as the „Sylph- like‟ or „Wraith-like‟ Controller. Now for news of the Corfu Lite Herewith are Railway. On the day that research- ers at Queen Mary College, Univer- a couple of sity of London revealed that chil- photographs dren are regularly ingesting danger- of equipment ous amounts of salt which put them recently ac- at risk of high blood pressure, heart quired by the disease and strokes in later life the railway. The „Fat Controller‟ announced that illustrations without delay the railway would cease to use heavily salted water in s h o w a their steam engines and thus reduce guards‟ lamp the risk of passive salt absorption. in two of its Also the railway will, with immedi- three functions. The third being ate effect, cease to burn sweetened white light which the guards tradi- wood and coal in their engines. As tionally used, whilst in the van, to is well known such fuel with sugar added burns at a much higher tem- illuminate The Sporting Life and thus perature and thus makes such fuel enable to the guards to complete

Corfu Weather Statistics Max Avg Min Read more at: Max Temperature 22°C 17 °C 12 °C Mean Temperature 16 °C 13 °C 10°C http://www.wunderground.com/ Min Temperature 11 °C 9 °C 6 °C history/airport/LGKR/2013/9/1/ Heating Degree Days (base 65) 15 10 4 MonthlyHistory.html? Cooling Degree Days (base 65) 0 0 0 Growing Degree Days (base 50) 11 5 0 req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req Dew Point 14 °C 8 °C -1 °C _stat- Precipitation 17.0 mm 2.7 mm 0.0 mm ename=NA#PFq1VRYHlbugcTGf Wind 42 km/h 8 km/h 0 km/h .99 Gust Wind 63 km/h 48 km/h 40 km/h Sea Level Pressure 1027 hPa 1014 hPa 994 hPa

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 10 Were there Freescale employ- Nick the Clock’s World ees on board? Yes. And also at least one from IBM. ductor. Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: “Patents Patents Patents?” Who owns Freescale Semicon- Is Freescale Semiconductor 2014 03 14 ductor ?? owned by Blackstone? Jacob Rothschild through From: 4key.net Blackstone who owns Free- On April 27, This update on Malaysia Air- scale. 2013, Bloomberg published an lines flight 370 is about an Here is your motive for the article about the company in online message and e-mail that missing Beijing plane. which it is confirmed that Free- is currently circulating on the As all 4 Chinese members of scale is indeed a Blackstone internet. the Patent were passengers on venture: the missing plane. The message is posted below: Patent holders can alter the “Blackstone-Owned Freescale proceeds legally by passing Rises as Forecast Tops Esti- “Have you pieced together the wealth to their heirs. However, mates: Freescale Semiconduc- puzzle of missing flight 370 to they cannot do so until the Pa- tor Ltd. (FSL), the chipmaker Beijing China ?? If not, here tent is approved. So when the mostly owned by a private- are your missing pieces. plane went missing, the patent equity group including Black- Patents Patents Patents had not been approved. stone Group LP (BX) and TPG Four days after the missing Thus, Rothschild gets 100% of Capital, rose after predicting flight MH370 a patent is ap- Patent once Patent holders de- second-quarter sales that may proved by the Patent Office, 4 clared deceased.” exceed some analysts’ esti- of the 5 Patent holders are Chi- mates.” nese employees of Freescale The patent that got this online Semiconductor of Austin TX. message started is this one, US Patent is divided up on 20% Is Rothschild linked to Black- 008671381, from March 11, stone? Yes, he is a Member of increments to 5 holders. 2014: the International Advisory Peidong Wang, Suzhou, China, (20%) Saved copy:http:// Board. Zhijun Chen, Suzhou, China, truthnewsinternation- (20%) al.files.wordpress.com/2014/03 Is Blackstone one of the parties Zhihong Cheng, Suzhou, Chi- /us008671381.pdf who are responsible for the na, (20%) Original: A, B Li Ying, Suzhou, China, (20%) missing airplane, flight 370?

Freescale Semiconductor The names listed on the patent, (20%) i.e. Wang Peidong, Chen The answer to that question If a patent holder dies, then the Zhijun, Cheng Zhihong and can likely only come from remaining holders equally Ying Li are the same as in the those who ordered/organized share the dividends of the de- online message. However, ac- the AWACS mission of March ceased if not disputed in a will. cording to the March 8, 8, 2014. If 4 of the 5 dies, then the re- 2014, passenger manifest maining 1 Patent holder gets (original) of Malaysia Airlines 100% of the wealth of the pa- flight 370 these persons were tent. not on that plane. If they were That remaining live Patent then their names are not listed. holder is Freescale Semicon-

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 11

Custom-built homes MouseHouse in Corfu MouseHouse is a charming little gem, nestling in a valley on the fringes of Agios Nikolaos, in rural south-east Corfu. It is surrounded by love- ly gardens, perfect for a truly „get away from it Another bespoke construction is all‟ Corfu holiday. If you prize above all else safe taking shape in the valley area beaches, sun and peace, this is arguably as good known locally as Vrisi, a little way as it gets in Corfu. down from the church. This is ex- The house is comfortably furnished with two bedrooms, both with private bal- pected to be complete later in the conies and two shower rooms. You will be able to use a third bedroom with a large double bed at an extra charge. year. Additionally MouseHouse Penthouse is just above MouseHouse on the upper Every build is individual and based floor. It may be rented separately from the main house, or is just as suitable for on the requirements of the custom- a group of eight persons occupying both floors of this sweet home. Mouse- er. Please feel free to mail in with House Penthouse is the perfect romantic getaway for couples in love. It is your enquiry, should you have an reached up a winding garden from the MouseHouse garden, at the top of which interest. is a terrace ideal for sunbathing or sitting out overlooking the countryside with We take great pride in our builds your evening drinks. and can say with a little immodesty, Inside is beautifully appointed open plan with sloping ceiling with a dining ar- ea, neat kitchenette and comfy bed. The so sweet corner shower-room com- they are good-value for money, well- pletes this womb of dreaminess. built and have to be a home in Agios Nikolaos is a sleepy village on the tourist-free south east coast of Corfu. It which we would be content to live is tucked in the shelter of a large bay, not many miles from Corfu‟s second larg- ourselves. est town, . A few minutes stroll away from MouseHouse are some of the best (and little- known) beaches on the island. The two tavernas at Notos Beach are places to die for, with their beautiful gardens tumbling down to the crystal sea below. Sunbeds are right next to the calm blue waters and these are fabulous, shallow and safe places for children to play, as you dine al fresco.

Prices range from €440 to €990 (£370-£830) per week for MouseHouse. The Penthouse costs just €300 (£250) per week all year round A reduction of 10% is offered for two-week reservations and a 10% reduction is applied for a repeat booking from a former guest. It is available for bookings throughout the year. Check out the available dates and book your holiday on www.ocayvillascorfu.com. “OCAY Construction”

Available dates as of April 1st

st th Go to www.propertycorfu.org MouseHouse: April 1 – May 19 June 2nd – June 16th July 16th – July 30th Keep posted on new additions August 16th – August 29th September 18th – September 29th Mail in for your individual en- October 8th onwards quiry

PentHouse: April 1st – April 18th Or telephone (0030) 26610 58177 April 28th – May 19th June 2nd- August 20th September 18th onwards Ocay tailor-make your Corfu dream. NB The third bedroom mentioned above is now included in the price.

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 12

The World of Simon

Σπκβνπιίνπ Φσθίσλ Μάλδπιαο, ν Κσλζηαληηλνύπνιηο. The passion, By Simon Baddeley Πξόεδξνο ηνπ Σπιιόγνπ Αλσ- glory, violence and cruelty of the

Κνξαθηαληηώλ Αζελώλ Σπύξνο Greek War of Independence are Παξά ηηο πξνβιέςεηο θαη ηε Κέληαξρνο θαη ε ηειεηάξρεο θαη difficult for 'us' to understand. Even ρζεζηλν-βξαδηλή βξνρή, ην πξστλό κέινο ηνπ Τνπηθνύ Σπκβνπιίνπ as I perpetuate my own, it can be ηεο 25εο Μαξηίνπ ήηαλ γεληθά Δηξήλε Βηηνπιαδίηε, είραλ ηελ difficult for me to see myths regard- ειηόινπζην,γεγνλόο πνπ επέηξεςε επθαηξία γηα κία γεληθνύ ed as more important than history. ηελ πξαγκαηνπνίεζεο ηεο κηθξήο πεξηερνκέλνπ, ζπδήηεζε… It was only after I had learned a lit- παξέιαζεο πνπ πξαγκαηνπνηείηαη tle more about the events of those ηα ηειεπηαία ρξόληα ζην ρσξηό. Υ.Γ.1.Η δπηηθή πιεπξά από ηα decades at the start of the 19th cen- Μεηά ηε Γνμνινγία ζηνλ Άε- θειηά ηνπ Άε-Γηώξγε ρξήδεη όπσο tury that I appreciated the words of Γηώξγε θαη ηνλ ζπλαηζζεκαηηθά θαίλεηαη, άκεζεο επηζθεπήο, όπσο Solomos' National Anthem "I recog- παξαηήξεζαλ δηεξρόκελνη θνξηηζκέλν επεηεηαθό ιόγν ηνπ nise you by the fearsome sharpness, Γηεπζπληή ηνπ Δηδηθνύ Γπκλαζίνπ θάηνηθνη, πνπ παξαθνινύζεζαλ ηε ζεκεξηλή παξέιαζε. of your sword"; that I understood Κέξθπξαο, ε ηειεηή ζπλερίζηεθε **** **** why Greeks are more protective of ζηελ πιαηεία ηνπ ρσξηνύ. Δθεί, This is one of the best briefings on and sensitive about the honour of ππό ηνπο ήρνπο ηεο Μπάληαο, νη the Greek War of Independence their flag, which signifies in its blue εθπξόζσπνη ησλ ηνπηθώλ αξρώλ that I have come across, recognising and white stripes, the colour of the θαη θνξέσλ θαηέζεζαλ δάθληλα the myths and respecting them but Greek sky, nine syllables of the ζηαθάληα ζην Μλεκείν ηνπ also showing the role of chance and phrase 'Freedom or Death' Άγλσζηνπ Σηξαηηώηε. Η θαηάζεζε the machinations of the great Euro- Διεπζεξία ή Θάλαηνο ζηεθάλνπ από ηνπο κηθξνύο pean and Ottoman powers, ones in . When I καζεηέο ηνπ Νεπηαγσγείνπ which the wondrous land hear the Greek National Anthem - μερώξηζε… is embroiled to this day... Ὕκλνο εἰο ηὴλ Ἐιεπζεξίαλ - I get a A comment in Facebook during a lump in my throat; my eyes burn discussion of Greek Independence with tears, recalling that when Brit- Day on 25th March 2014: Corfu ain stood alone shortly before I was was never but for a matter of weeks born, Greece of all the Balkan na- occupied by the Ottomans...as a tions stood against the invader win- British citizen I have been brought ning, before she was overwhelmed up knowing 'we' have not been oc- by the might of Hitler's arms, one cupied by an invader since 1066; of the first victories for the Allies. I that we have been a haven for so detest flag-waving nationalism but I Αθνινύζσο ε κηθξή πνκπή βάδηζε many who have lost their country. have to admit that other than my ηνλ θεληξηθό δξόκν ηνπ ρσξηνύ, κε England, Britain, has own I know no flag other than the ηε Φηιαξκνληθή λα ζπλερίδεη γηα been threatened with invasion but blue and white - Γαιαλόιεπθε - ηελ Κάησ Κνξαθηάλα θαη we have never had to fight off a for- that fills me with greater love and αξγόηεξα γηα ηελ πόιε θαη ηνπο eign yoke in our midst - one that in respect for another country. ππόινηπνπο λα θάλνπλ ζηάζε ζην the case of Greece has dominated Κνηλνηηθό Καηάζηεκα γηα έλα us for centuries, taken away our θέξαζκα. Δθεί, ν ηεξέαο(παπα- capital city, one which the rest of Κώζηαο), ε Πξόεδξνο ηεο the world rightly calls Istanbul but Φηιαξκνληθήο Γώξα Μεηαιιελνύ, ν Πξόεδξνο ηνπ Τνπηθνύ which Greeks still call

APRIL 2014 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 13

Obnoxious Al out of retirement yet again

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AGIOT MUSIC FESTIVAL 2014

For the 6th year running we will be presenting our Annual Rock, Folk and Jazz Music Festival at our well-equipped venue at Agios Ioannis. This will take place on Saturday, 30 August 2014

For more information on the event you can visit the many sites available containing all the latest news; views and everything you will want to know about this increasingly popular event:

www.theagiot.net www.agiotfest.com www.facebook.com/agiotfest

I want to remind all our regular friends and supporters that I will again be holding a RAFFLE which, as in previous years, will be full of surprises and good quality prizes. Ticket prices will be reasonable and we will be supporting some local charities. The success of the Raffle, and the amount of the donations, will depend on your support.

I look forward to seeing all our old friends, and new friends, too and I know we can make it a night to remember!

Lucy STEELE, M.B.E. Raffle Organiser