MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 1 www.theagiot.net Tel: (0030) 26610 58177 The

67th Edition Agiot

This Month Agiotfest 2013 Line-up. Page 1

Agiotfest 2013 Tickets & Sponsors. Page 2-3

Stop Press - The 100+ Club. Page 2-3 Don’t Miss Village News. Page 4 Love is All Around ….. In The Corfu Groves Aunty Lula’s Love- Bites. Page 4

Corfu Weather Statis- August 31st, Saturday tics. Page 4 Agios Ioannis MouseHouse Pent- house. 7.30 pm Gates Open Page 5

Hovoli Darts Charity Competition. Page 6 The Troggs Losers’ Cup. Page 6

Kavos & Birthdays. Page 7 Vince Vortex and The Cucumbers

Joke of the Month. Page 7 Amalgama Fleshpots of the North. Page 8

OCAY Property. Page 9 Omega5

Maintenance - Advertis- ing. Page 9 Heather Skinner The World of Simon. Page 10

Bell Hell. Page 11 Introduced by The Unique Steve Dell Chaplain’s Chat. www.facebook.com/stevedelluk Page 12

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 2

Agiotfest 2013 Continued from Page 1 TICKETS NOW FOR SALE 18 EUROS UNTIL AUGUST 1ST

DISCOUNTS ON GROUP BOOKINGS

RING (OO30) 6974932408 or enquire with one of these Distributors: Ken & Jan Harrop on (0030) 6946949545 Paul Scotter on (0030) 6948701369 Chas Clifton on (0030) 6985074464 British Corner Shop Sally’s Bar Ipsos Boatman’s World, Kontokali

Our current sponsors are thanked for their support. Many of them have been with us since we started in 2009. Their trust and loyalty is beyond question. There are some names not mentioned here as they have not yet been approached for 2013 and we do not take their contribution for granted. Anybody interested in either sponsoring financially or by donating goods or services should contact the editor here.

Also:

Eco-Point Paul & Jan Scotter Ken & Jan Harrop Steve Dell Steve Young Lionel Mann Sue Done

Michael Spiggos

Tavola Calda Bill & June Williams Spyros Hytiris Famous Grouse Brenda Pangrakiotis Nikolas's Taverna, DASIA, 49083. CORFU Agni TEL: (+30) 26610 47200 Vassilis Pandis Sofia Kasfiki MOB: (+30) 6942699109 In Action gym Insurance Agent FAX: (+30) 26610 30832 Star Bowl Tel: 26610 38794 Greg Zoxios Mob: 6975900445 www.nsk-travel.gr Forthnet

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 3

Agiotfest 2013 Continued from Page 2

There will be our annual Sponsors‟ Find us on Face- Evening on Friday June 21st, start- ing at 8.00pm at Villa Theodora. Our sponsors are invited, naturally, book: to come along for tasty nibbles and Famous Grouse mixers, and a http://www.facebook.com/pages/Agiotfest-Music-Festival/129472247074639? chance on the night for those inter- ref=sgm ested to contribute to the event by taking „shares‟ in the stage, advertis- ing, transport, sound and light sys- Anybody who reads this far, without nodding off, can you please go on to tem and the rest of the associated Facebook if you can and register a „like‟? Better still ask your wife or hus- costs of putting on this big show. So band or friend to do similar. Every piece of exposure we can get in this way please come if you will to a fun is definitely driving us onwards and upwards. Thank you! „musical evening‟ where a share- holding can be offered for as little as 25 Euros. It should be said at this point that FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @agiotfest1 the estimated cost of putting on the show this year will be Euros 7000. Interact with Agiotfest at http://pinterest.com/agiotfest/ This does not include the cost of the performers themselves.

STOP PRESS Number of people present was 16. Members present 5 The 100+ Club, our associate had Evening represented by Ken & Jan Vince Vortex & its first monthly draw on Tuesday Harrop (Project leaders) and Louise 30th April [last night]. Taylor (steering group member) The Cucumbers

Details are:

The first draw was carried out at

Hovoli Kafe‟neon, Acharavi oppo- site Dimitra super mkt.

Lorraine Whitehall from Newbury,

Berkshire, a non member of (The 100+Club) drew out number 17. Lorraine here on holiday for one Image is of Lorraine Whitehall & Spyros Vlachos. week, with her friend Denise, do- “You have been nated 5€ towards the charity fund. Many thanks. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ warned …… groups/421068094624153/ for The winner was Spyros Vlachos 100+ Club details they are back” from Hovoli winning 70€

READ THE AGIOT NEXT MONTH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 4 visited and the first Dutch cyclists We have been exasperated by the have kept Waldo and Danielle busy utterly false portrayal of Greece in Village News as have also young Lukke, who has the pernicious prevaricating sensa- graduated from scooter to bicycle, tionalist popular media, seizing up- and Stella, who is now a toddler. on a few isolated incidents to un- By Peter‟s Italian friend, Bruno, load their trash on the ignorant. Dr Lionel Mann with whom he travelled the East, Corfu is just as safe, happy and wel- has been visiting. He brought with coming as ever it has been. Come “Sumer is i-cumen in, Luhde syng him Akha, a beautiful Alsatian to enjoy it. coucou.” bitch. Bono has revelled in such distinguished company, but we Some eight hundred years ago hope that due precautions have monks in Reading welcomed the been taken or Italy will be graced return of a migratory bird with an with a troop of little Bonos. “Stella” easily recognised call as a sign of We have not had a bad winter. approaching summer. This year we There has been a fair amount of have similarly welcomed the return rain to keep the island green for the of migrants Derek, Carole and Jack- summer, but many more days of ie. A further encouraging omen warm sunshine, ideal for walking. has been the emergence from win- We wonder why people do not visit ter storage of the taverna tables and to enjoy such pleasant conditions “When Nitsa was chairs to be ranged across the instead of slithering around in deep Young” plateia. snow. To sit outside in warm sun- Mark and Jenny are also back. shine on Christmas Day surround- Will be continued We are delighted to be able to re- ed by the promising aroma of roast- port that Jenny is better than when ing turkey and boiling sprouts is far Next Month she left. preferable to huddling shivering by Martin Stuart and Henk have a faintly glowing radiator.

Aunty Lula’s Love-bites Corfu Weather Statistics Strawberry Ice-Cream seeds.

2. Whip the cream until firmly Ingredients peaking. April 2013

500g Fresh Strawberries 3. Gently fold in the 1½ cans of 1 tbsp. of Lemon Juice Min. Temp: 22°C condensed milk, the beaten egg and 600g Fresh Cream Max. Temp: 34°C the vanilla essence. 1½ Cans of Sweetened Condensed Avg. Temp: 26°C

Milk Precipitation: 0.0mm 4. Finally add the strawberries with 1 Fresh Egg, beaten Avg. Wind Speed: 138km/h the lemon juice. 1 tsp. of Vanilla Essence Gust wind: 34km/h

5. Stir gently and pour the mixture

into a plastic tub. Cover and put in Go: the freezer for 36 hours.

1. Purée the strawberries in a food processor. Rub them through a sieve, if you prefer, to get rid of the Bon appetit!

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 5

MouseHouse Penthouse

comfort, the whole being surround- Go to www.ocayvillascorfu.com to Ocay Villas is very pleased to an- ed by a charming garden and many see further details. Please note nounce that this summer the beau- open fields. MouseHouse is available year- tiful little gem called MouseHouse, round. which lies in the quiet nook of This beautiful retreat is now mature coastline in the south of Corfu at and ready to accept up to eight per- Only a short walk or drive away Agios Nikolaos, has recently had its sons at really very, very competitive from MouseHouse lie some of the small „Penthouse‟ completed and is rates, which are shown below: prettiest and safest beaches in Cor- ready for summer visitors. fu. Inland wonderful trails for walk- ing abound. Along the coast is an It may be rented as a totally self- MouseHouse: High Season £650 abundance of great places to eat contained unit, or taken by part of p.w., Low Season £350 pw. locally-caught fish. a larger group or family in conjunc- tion with the existing ground -floor Penthouse: High Season £350 p.w., MouseHouse is special. It is differ- MouseHouse. Low Season £250 p.w. ent. Fall under its spell.

Downstairs sleeps six in three bed- Combined: High Season £900 p.w., rooms and upstairs two in dreamy Low Season £700 p.w.

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 6 HOVOLI OPEN SINGLE DARTS CHARITY COMPETITION

As reported last month, this great annual event was well supported. Courtesy of the organisers, here is a list of essentials that occurred that night, includ- ing details of the winner and runners-up.

HOVOLI HOME OF DARTS - OPEN SINGLES DARTS TOURNAMENT OF CORFU - 31ST MARCH 2013

RAFFLE IN AID OF “SMILE FOR A CHILD” CHARITY

PRIZES DONATED BY:- 365 euro was raised for The Smile of The Child.

Magnetic Dartboard Sport Gift Centre A big thank you to all who supported this event, Shampoo Pharmacy, Maria Spileti Bottle of Ursus Pipoulis Thank you to Spiros Pelouyios for his help as event Kitchen Scales Tjenembis Thanasis Childrens Tracksuit Ottimo Sport announcer. Bottle of Martini Vanderloss Bottle of Cinzano Hovoli From The Hovoli organisers Book Bookstore Grafi Ken, Jan, Louise, Alekos and Spyros. Set of Headphones Data Expert Two leather key fobs Mister Takoyni Shoe Repair Men's t-shirt J & K Casualwear Darts competition Cup Winners. Bath Set Roda Stop Worry Beads Lola's Photo Shop 1st Xristos Douraliou. Set of 4 dishes Kondinis nd Hair Products Politis Coiffure 2 Rob Benn. rd Shave Gel Vaso Beauty Supplies 3 Spiros Pilouyios. th Photo Frame Light Max 4 Rob Skirt Frock 2 pairs childrens shoes Allstyle Shoes Floor Mat Hermes 2nd Chance Cup Winner: Kostas Pantelidis. Set of car mats Afoi Banoy BP Garage 15€ discount Rizos Ladies Top Sabotage Ladies jogging bottoms Nick's Clothes Shop Ladies Trousers X-Posé 4 bottles wine Ken & Jan 365 euro was raised for The Smile of The Child.

Losers’ Cup The Losers‟ Cup is taking We have about 16/20 superfit Proceeds of the entrance fee is place in Central Corfu on Sat- competitors enrolled but only split equally between The Red urday 17th May. a phonecall to Paul Scotter on Cross Hellas and The Ag- Entrance fee is 5 euros. 6948701369 will book your iotfest Fund. Cup presentation and nosh at entry to this world famous Kostas Taverna, Agios Ioannis competition, and you can con- in the evening. firm start time and itinerary.

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 7

Kavos and Birthdays

By shrug and certainly no time to pose Friends from the U.K., Les and Paul McGovern the question to us „neutrals‟ „where Chris, and the Perennial Lionel are the tourists this year?‟ Oh, they made up a very jolly party of four- will come alright! teen, not counting the four-legged guests. In this beautiful Spring-time weather Lula of Lovebites fame was given a birthday meal in her garden, which was cooked on the quiet by her son Peter, Elina and Bruno whilst I whisked her away on a cun- “All is quiet in Kavos” ning decoy trip. She at least pre- tended she didn‟t have a clue, Just to prove once and for all which was sweet of her. there is another Kavos, far removed from the garish publicity it receives on British T.V. and media, here is a recent photo in the sun, showing Talking of which, here the infa- the village in its quieter mantle. mous and forsaken- in- love Bono is seen trying to cuddle Andy. In the streets there was much activity, the inhabitants setting to so all is ready for the „invasion‟. This hive of activity was definitely two gears faster than the usually more sedate Corfu preparation. There The family all came down apart was no sign here of the inevitable from Alexandra, away in Italy.

Joke of the Month - Sent in by Les Woods "How was your game, dear?" "But he's got perfect eyesight. He "Well, where is it?" yelled Jack, asked Jack's wife Tracy. would watch the ball for you," peering off into the distance. Tracy pointed out. "Well, I was hitting pretty well, "I forgot." but my eyesight's gotten so bad I The next day Jack teed off with couldn't see where the ball Scott looking on. Jack swung and went," he answered. the ball disappeared down the mid- "A friend is someone who knows "But you're 75 years old, Jack!" dle of the fairway. "Do you see the song in your heart and can admonished his wife, "Why don't it?" asked sing it you Jack. back to you when you have for- take my brother Scott along?" gotten the words." "Yup," Scott answered. "But he's 85 and doesn't play golf anymore," protested Jack.

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 8 Fleshpots Of The North

By claim it gave rise to the expression ized by financial rapacity which Mark Thompson „daylight robbery‟. However I hate stretched the bounds of legality. By to disillusion the romantics then however Morton had gone to „Spring is here, spring is here: life is amongst you, but the first verified, his reward. skittles, life is beer’. Well with all due written example of the phrase was The „fork‟ had 2 prongs and respect to Tom Lehrer-no it isn‟t at in Harold Brighouse‟s play Hobson held that 1. If a man was living least so far as beer & skittles is con- Choice in 1916 long after the tax modestly and thus saving he could cerned. As I write in addition to had been repealed. afford to pay tax whereas 2. If he concern as to what kind of season Though some suggest that the was living extravagantly he was obvi- we‟ll have we‟re also awaiting, with expression relates to an 17th/18th ously rich and could also afford to far from bated breath, the susurra- century practice which, in the event pay. tion of the envelope containing the of robbery by a highwayman, if the Many of my neighbours profess next exorbitant tax demand as it victim reported the crime and pre- their distrust of banks and given falls on the mat. sented proof of loss to the sheriff of recent events in Cyprus one can It remains to be seen what new, the county, in which the offence well understand their scepticism. punitive ways the Greek Ministry of took place, before the sun set on Further soon after I arrived in Finance has found to extract even the day of the offence, the county Greece I remember reading in one more tax from us. The most recent was liable to refund the victim the of the English language newspapers novelty I heard of was a tax on full extent of the loss. that many Greeks refuse to pay tax, wells, to which I would object most I can find no legal precedent for whilst they might accept their liabil- strongly, having access to 2! this apparent largesse; however de- ity they had no faith that the tax- Whilst tax collecting may not be tails of a specific case in Hertford- man would pass the money to the the most exciting job in the world, shire are mentioned in the letters of Ministry of Finance. clearly some imagination is re- Monsieur Cesar de Saussure to his Now one might have mixed quired when seeking to extract cash family-„A foreign view of England in opinions of the Inland Revenue from the long-suffering populous. the reigns of Geo I & II‟. But rather and its collectors of taxes, but I nev- I‟m not talking about oddities like like the beard tax that Henry VIII er heard such suggestions of dishon- beard tax or soap tax or even the may or may not have sought to levy, esty against UK civil servants. I‟m pasty tax of recent memory, but ra- legends relating to highwaymen only grateful that I don‟t live in Cy- ther taxes applicable and payable by should, in my opinion, always be prus and have over €100,000 for the larger part of the population. taken with a pinch of salt. the government to get its sticky fin- I strongly believe the Greek tax Perhaps the best and indeed ear- gers on. I know Benjamin Franklin collectors would do well to look in liest example of „blue-sky thinking‟ counseled that nothing in this the history books as in most cases on tax was that devised by John world is certain but death and taxes we‟ve been there before. In Eng- Morton c.1420-1500 Archbishop of and as this year unfolds the former land examples of „thinking outside Canterbury 1486 and in 1487 Lord begins to look more attractive than the box‟ could be said to be brick Chancellor to Henry VII. Morton the latter. tax (1784-1850), hearth tax, other- was charged with replenishing the wise hearth money, chimney tax or Royal Estate so depleted by Edward Yours, skint in the fleshpots, chimney money (1662-1689) or IV‟s in-laws, the Woodville‟s, fol- wallpaper tax (1712-1836). Perhaps lowing his death and before the ac- Mark Thompson the most famous of such property cession of Richard III. Today de- related taxes was window tax (1696- scribed, somewhat harshly, as a spe- 1851). Even today buildings from cious piece of reasoning what be- the period can still be seen with came known as Morton‟s Fork cer- bricked-up windows spaces ready to tainly worked well for both Morton be re-glazed at a later date. and the king. Though the latter This levy was seen by some as a part of Henry‟s reign was character- „tax on light and air‟ and others

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 9

A New Beginning

By Peter McGovern

We are pleased to announce a new website for the Real Estate at www.ocaypropertycorfu.com. This is a fresh look at desirable property around the

island currently for sale. It runs in conjunction with the existing website at www.propertycorfu.org. The new location has a handful of properties at present but these will be added to continuously. I am actively seek- ing and sifting the many properties for sale, with a special

eye out for discounted values and genuine and ardent ven- dors. Also, we are looking for and providing rental accom- modation across the island.

If you think it beneficial to link to this new site then please let me know at

FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE

SECURITY SERVICES

GARDEN CLEARANCE

LANDSCAPING

PATIOS AND CONCRETING

TREE CUTTING

PLASTERING

PAINTING AND DECORATING

GENERAL BUILDING WORK ETC.

PLEASE RING WITH YOUR PREFERENCES

Telephone Tony on (0030)6989871916 or submit your request through this site.

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 10 The World of Simon

By We searched, fruitlessly, for the tor- Simon Baddeley toises I‟d seen on my last visit, with mum when she came to Corfu in We saw them away round Sunday 2010. It was October. The grass had noon, after they'd reached the end been short after summer. Now this of a long slow queue through air- sanctuary is profuse with greenery; port security. abundant, as is all Corfu and Was it Friday we had a picnic in the Greece, with spring flowers and British Cemetery? blossom.

The bell in the ivy above the gate On Saturdy – “our last day” – we Lunch with Oliver, Guy and Amy at Foros rings as we enter. George Psialas, a guided Guy as he drove us over the little more stooped came out to mountains at Trompetta, down to I had liver, hardly shown the grill, greet us. Could we picnic? the sea at Roda and back into the as I preferred. Lin‟s was better “Of course, of course” he‟d said, foothills of Pantocrator via Loutses done. We shared liver, souvlaki, talking of the storm that, last to Old Perithia to have lunch at roast cheese, chicken pie, giro, month, had broken off branches, Foros (Ψησταριά Φορος, Αηω plates of slim well browned chips, damaged shrubs and gouged ditches Περίθια), where we were served by salads with feta and crispy bread beside some of the cemetery‟s grassy Thomas Siriotis who remembered with small jugs of red and white paths, washing away bulbs. He previous visits and asked after Rich- wine, water and - on the house - to picked Lin a bouquet of red and ard Pine. I told him about Richard finish, moist brown walnut cake. blue to which he added a slightly being back from hospital in Dublin. incongruous twig of palm attached “His liver, yes” “Thanks for bringing us here” said to a clump of butter coloured seeds. “He must not drink any more Guy who paid the bill “We‟d never At Lin‟s suggestion I placed them in wine” I said “How can you do have found this on our own”. a clay pot on Norman Sheriff‟s that?” I noticed that the place we‟re used grave; „Stormin‟ Norman, who‟d “I haven‟t drunk for ten years” he to calling Old Perithia seems now bought Summer Song in Spain in said “Ouzo! It can make you feel to be referred to by people working the early „80s and for a retirement - sick but you can‟t be sick. You want there as Ano (upper) Perithia. Is it from the railways - adventured with to die.” to get away from the connotations his wife Pauline along Mediterrane- of „old, palia‟? That it is not really a an coasts to Turkey and back to I had thought that to eat food with- collection of semi-deserted ruins Corfu. out wine, especially in Greece, but something becoming a village would be an imposition. Perhaps again? As we left Thomas handed not so. As we studied Thomas' us a cloth wrapping ten fresh eggs menu he sketched us on a blank from chickens he keeps at his home visiting card, including Oliver, en- in Loutses tranced by a furry Alsatian puppy that came out to meet us, seeking scraps from our table. “Her name?” “Leda” “So her father is Zeus?" “Of course” He didn‟t say anything about the swan or not so's I could follow. We sat in and out of shade under a vine canopy.

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 11

“Daddy, there‟s a man come to see you and I‟ve shown him into the Bell Hell study. It‟s about the bells and he‟s very angry.” By to be elsewhere on Tuesday evening; Just downstream from the park Dr. Lionel Mann the continuous clangour of the bells there is a long low island in the river, was excruciating. The distant pealing Garrick‟s Ait, upon which some en- Some fifty years ago I was Organ- of bells over a snowy landscape at terprising persons had erected shacks ist and Choirmaster of Hampton Par- Christmas is enchanting, but at a in which they stayed on fine week- ish Church. The church, commis- hundred yards‟ range it is literally ends. Driven to distraction by the sioned by William IV to replace an deafening; even ordinary conversa- persistent pounding of the bells the ancient Templar chapel that was tion is impossible. islanders had crowded into a boat there, stands on Bell Hill about fif- After lunch one Saturday I went and rowed over to the park where teen feet above the Thames, which it across to practise on the organ. I had they were joined by the equally in- overlooks. The few yards across the been playing for only ten minutes censed visitors in an indignation road from Hampton Court Bridge to when the bells started ringing. No- meeting at which they chose one of Staines and a little park, the shady body had told me that a visiting team their number to present their griev- retreat of persons wishing to pass a was coming to ring. I had a large ance to the Vicar. relaxing summer afternoon watching powerful three-manual and pedal Knapp stumped into the study; he the river traffic ranging from kayaks pipe organ, well capable of compet- had one artificial leg, having lost the and skiffs to packed excursion steam- ing with the bells, but I like my music original as a subaltern in Flanders ers. to have variety, loud and soft. I find during the First World War. The tower of the church houses a continuously loud music tiring and “I can‟t think why anyone should peal of eight bells, rung before the objectionable, inartistic. It was a want to make that infernal din on a main services on Sundays and Holy beautiful sunny summer day so I fine afternoon like this.” The spokes- day by a team of local ringers. Occa- switched off, closed up and went out man wasted no time in getting down sionally a visiting team would come to cross the ferry from the park and to business. to ring a complete „change‟, a ringing to stroll along the Surrey towpath to “No, neither can I.” Knapp‟s to- lasting for hours using an ordered nearby East Molesey where there was tally unexpected and honest reply succession of all possible permuta- in the season always a good cricket completely disconcerted his visitor. tions of eight bells. Such changes match to watch. There the bells were They started chatting and discovered bear exotic names as Grandsire Tri- no more than a distant tinkle, the that they were graduates of the same ples, Bob Major, Grandmas Quads or crack of bat upon ball clearly audible. Oxford College. Mrs. Knapp Deep Minor and the successful com- I missed tea and stayed until stumps brought in tea and biscuits and the pletion of one is recorded on a panel were drawn. The bells had long fall- pair passed an hour in companiona- in the ringing chamber with the en silent, probably through some ble conversation. The bells were still names of the participants, quite an fault in the sequence. I hurried back clattering away when the man left. achievement as even one bell out of to the ferry to arrive home in time The disgruntled islanders accept- the prescribed order renders the for dinner. ed defeat and crammed into their whole exercise invalid. After Matins the following morn- boat for the return. About five yards Fortunately the Choir Room in ing I found the Vicar in the Choir out from the island the greatly over- the crypt at the far end of the build- Room recounting his doings of the loaded craft sank under them, leaving ing was virtually soundproof and the previous afternoon to a highly enter- them to flounder very soggily ashore. bells did not interfere with the „Sing- tained audience. Charles Knapp was “If I‟d been really up to my job I‟d In‟ with which I warmed up the choir a very good-natured individual and have stood on Bell Hill with a finger before choral services. However our his goodness rubbed off on to all raised to the heavens and declaimed, local pealers practised for a couple of with whom he came into contact. „„That‟s the wrath of God upon ye,‟‟ hours every Tuesday evening. I lived He also had a delightfully impish the Vicar chuckled. in the Old Grange, just across the sense of humour. The room fairly rocked with street from the church, and that was After lunch he had been taking a laughter. definitely not soundproof. In com- snooze in an armchair in the lounge mon with most of the denizens of when his young daughter awakened Church Street I usually found reason him.

MAY 2013 SINCE AUGUST 2007 PAGE 12

there is no simple division between fluent and non-fluent. There are levels Chaplain’s Chat of fluency depending upon what the task is. It takes me an hour to translate Articles from the chaplain’s col- August, Pauline Pallavicini, former a couple of paragraphs of the instruc- umn in The Corfiot, churchwarden and Corfu resident for tions on a medicine bottle. I can ask thirty years, talked fondly of the in a shop for yellow paint for the (written between 2003 and 2008 unique contributions of previous chap- „dromos‟, but don‟t know enough by Revd. Dr. Clifford Owen) lains. „Each one brought something Greek to stop people parking in the unique,‟ she said, „and in the course of space! I can read on which day and time, your contribution will become First Anniversary where the „prosklese‟ (invitation) is for clear‟.Well it might. It might not! In but take ten minutes to work out exact- (Corfiot, January 2004) the meantime I‟m getting on with the ly what I am being invited to. I have job. put together a Greek letter with help Holy Trinity Corfu has the ad- Twelve months ago I was invited to which says: Dear Mr. Mayor, I thank vantage of not needing immediately to start refilling the slot known in this you so much for your last ten invita- go out in search of people because the magazine as Chaplain‟s Chat. Knowing tions. When my Greek improves I may people seem to come to it. Many weeks nothing of the island, church or peo- be in with a chance of translating your pass where one can get a whole day‟s ple, I decided to play it safe and enti- invitations before the particular event work without leaving the church office tled it „ First impressions of a new boy‟. has taken place. So help me God, and computer. The human traffic is A year has passed and so I can now please! considerable compared to most Eng- reflect with a little more precision. I have asked myself the scary ques- lish churches I know. It is probably A five year appointment is a wel- tion: is there a need for an Anglican something we have in common with come extension from the previous Chaplain in Corfu? I have answered in most European chaplaincies, in that three for chaplains of Holy Trinity the affirmative for two reasons. First, the church functions as an English Corfu, but short compared to my previ- though I am sure the Faith would sur- speaking reference point; a drop-in. ous jobs , which were thirteen years vive and spread without a chaplain, a Nevertheless my wife and I have man- each. In that time span there are likely chaplain is a visible sign of pastoral aged to get out and about, meeting to be major changes both to church unity. A church like HTC has to host a people in their homes and tavernas. and vicar; and in a sense, so it should broad spectrum of worship styles and The Saturday morning walks have been be. A church, like any body of people, the chaplain has to display them in a a delight to meet folk also (though I is a living organism and live organisms unity within himself. He has to provide underestimated the level of physical grow and change. Five years is not the teaching and theological basis fitness that Hilary expects!) long on the church growth scale and so which holds it all together. Second Last year I commented on Greek when I say „one down, four to go‟ I there are reputedly 6,000 English driving and wheely-bins. I have to re- think primarily of setting myself the speaking residents on the island. That vise my comments. The wheely-bins I correct pace, knowing that time and represents a moderately sized small have become dependent upon and I stability are needed for a job to devel- town in England, which would defi- honestly think that the Greek Corfiot op. nitely warrant a vicar and possibly a driving is as good as anyone else‟s. But During my first year I have done a curate. So folks, it‟s sheer numbers of two wheelers still seem to work on a lot of listening to get something of the you that will keep me in a job for the different highway code.; and I have history. I have been fortunate to meet next four years. If I do well there will joined them on my folding bike by Revd. Bill Elliot, a previous chaplain, be successors too! interpreting „monodromos‟ (one way) and also Gwen Pickering, widow of the signs liberally! I was naturally pleased Revd. Rob Pickering, one of the earli- to pass the MOT in the Chaplaincy est chaplains. Gwen made sure that I Ford Fiesta but wondered if it was pos- understood the debt we owe to Major sible to fail! I see that I have complet- John Forte, who effectively restarted ed 13,000 kilometres in the „Flying- Holy Trinity Corfu over thirty years Fiesta' . How many k‟s do other resi- ago. As I listened to their stories it was dents do? obvious that both still retain a pastoral How is my Greek doing? I used the heart for the church here, and their phrase „edging forward‟! Whilst I am obvious concern for individuals proved banned from Brian Church‟s column just how much of their own soul and in the Athens News : „learn Greek in emotions they invested in Corfu. twenty five years‟, I would say that Shortly before she left for England in