Lania Opening Hours:
It is traditional in Lania for everything to be closed
Mondays.
Community Council: Lania, visit the Community Council chairman
(the mukhtar) at his office in the village square most afternoons round
about 3pm.
Lania Community Board Members, Office Tel: 25432315
Andreas Rousias President Tel: 97776330, Soteris Ioannou Vice President Tel: 99463369, E-mail: sioannou@amathushotel.com, Yiannakis Ioannou Tel: 99451181, George Ktistis Tel: 99416536, Yiannoulla Christodoulou Tel: 25432364
Lania Culture Club: held the General meeting of the
members on Sunday 3rd June 2007 and the new committee is as
follows: President: Makis Potsos. Secretary: George
Ktistis. Cashier: Ntinos Sourmelis. Members: Yiannakis
Ioannou , Nikos Ktistis, Lefkos Rousos and
Christos Kontos.
Craft Lessons: Tuesdays at 11am in the Youth Centre behind Lania
football field and Tuesdays at 5pm
Greek classes at the Lania Community/Youth centre (next to the football pitch)
at 12 noon on Wednesdays, at £14 per year (£2 for OAPs ) with Mikaella Nikolao. Email: M.Nikolaou@Christis.com.cy
Social: Drink and chat at Lania Tavern, Fridays from 8pm.
Women’s’ Group,
The women of Lania meet every fortnight, usually Tuesdays at 4pm at the old coffee shop. All women of Lania are very welcome. The proceedings are mostly in Greek with English translation. Please phone Jackie on 25432404 or Spyroulla on 25432370.
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Lania Village - 'Waitrose Magazine article June 2009'. Click here. to view the article.
LANIA ART CLUB MEETING 27 MAY 2009
A group of enthusiastic artists met at the Lania Museum for a lively discussion centered on the concept of making Lania village more attractive. After the previous meeting, when it was decided to paint some of the gates and doors, the meeting was told that this had almost been completed, along with the fish art installation near the Frisi. Plans are well underway for a road sign to direct visitors to the village, together with a house art installation to attract attention. Many people have volunteered to do the painting and generally help with the upgrading of the visual aspect of the village centre. Work has started on the bridge and river near the Park and this should look much better soon. New gardens next to the church have also been started.
The meeting discussed various new ideas to improve the village. Suggestions were sought on how to disguise and/or relocate the large green garbage bins to make them a little less unsightly. Once again the unfortunate state of Doros Tavern and the land opposite, with its derelict machinery causing such an eyesore, came up but with no clear direction emerging on how to improve the situation there. Old photographs of cars and trucks were shown to the meeting with the suggestion that they could be enlarged and displayed in the village just like the huge group photo near Platanos Café which looks so well. It was felt that a small collection of old vehicles located in the large car park at the entrance to the village would attract attention of visitors and maybe encourage them to stop and park there rather than in the village centre. With this being the artiste’s village of course these would not be ordinary displays but rather more artistic and maybe even a little humorous! Artistic benches were also discussed with a suggestion that some really unusual ones could form a kind of Sculpture Park in Lania Park whilst more traditional ones, with poems attached, could be sited in the village centre.
The question of how to attract discerning visitors as part of a sustainable tourist policy was discussed at length. Two main suggestions came up. It was felt that if a series of new, high quality postcards depicting the improvements in Lania could be produced and distributed island wide, they may induce individual tourists to take a closer look at the village. Special edition postcards and leaflets could also be produced for distribution in the village itself. Since most of the visitors from overseas travel by rental car, it was agreed that the concept of advertising on car rental company maps would be explored. It was noted that in the UK, the Waitrose supermarket in-house magazine was due to publish a piece on the village and this could encourage sustainable tourism in Lania. The meeting closed with a feeling of great optimism.
ART FOR LANIA 9/4/09
At a recent meeting of the Public Artworks Group in Lania, the assembled local artistes, together with Muhktar Andreas Rousias, came up with a large number of exciting ideas on how to improve the visual aspect of the traditional village, known everywhere as ‘the artistes village’.
Some ideas are almost ready for implantation, including a huge sepia photograph to be erected on the wall adjacent to Platanos Café. The photograph was originally taken in 1894 on the occasion of the completion of the bridge near the Royal Oak, on the main road. The picture shows a large group of villagers, most of whom have descendants still living in Lania today. Easter decorations are planned on the garden and orange grove next to the Frisi. It is also proposed to hang sliver fish across a pedestrian lane, repaint old doors as well as install benches; some with poems attached, and fit artful litter bins.
The main issue at this meeting was signage; as it is felt that it is vital to get this right on order to attract moderate numbers of discerning visitors to the village. Three suggestions were made. Firstly, it was felt that the direction sign on the main road was not clearly visible, due to various illegal commercial sings obscuring the view and generally confusing the eye. Secondly, it was agreed by the majority that with so many attractions in Lania a brown sign with internationally recognised symbols listing museum, dining, accommodation, and galleries etc would be most appropriate. However, some thought that separate signs for individual businesses would be better, though these are thought to possibly contravene local planning laws. Finally, all agreed that some type of large scale art installation near the main turning for Lania would be an effective way of attracting attention to the village. An installation inspired by the traditional houses of Lania is planned.
MUHKTAR RESIGNS - WEBSITE RE-LAUNCHED
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At a packed meeting in Lania Tavern on Friday 5 December 2008 the President of Lania Community Council, Giorgos N. Sykas, made his resignation speech. He had served the village for over 30 years and overseen many changes.
The meeting continued with a presentation of the re-launched website: www.lania.org.cy which aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the village and its amenities. On the home page the President writes: the amazing climate of Lania and its amazing natural beauty in combination with its traditional buildings, its narrow slab-paved roads and alleys that are filled with numerous flowers looked after by the inhabitants offer an exquisite sight. The tasteful wines and Zivania produced locally and the hospitality of the inhabitants will make you remember your visit to our community for a long time. We will be expecting you in our lovely village, where you will be treated with great hospitality and have a wonderful time.
The meeting concluded with the usual issues over water cuts and crumbling roads and all the typical matters that the incoming Muhktar will no doubt have to deal with in due course.
PHILOSOPHY AND NEW LIBRARY IN LANIA
The popular philosophic chats shall this year be taking place in the lovely room above the Olive Mill on Wednesdays at the usual time of 10.15am. Some kind volunteers have offered to help supervise and operate the LANIA LIBRARY… which shall be instigated there in the same room so that people may begin to donate and borrow what ever volume have been collecting dust at home! Contact Louis Kilonis on Tel: 99604796 for details.
SINGERS WANTED
Following the success of our singing group at the Christmas Carols, we are planning to join in the festivities which take place in the village square on
Easter Monday afternoon, April 28, singing maybe some
folk songs etc. Anyone who can join us would be very welcome and if you would like to sing, please contact me on either 25432154, or Email: glennis@attglobal.net
and I’ll let you know about rehearsals etc. I look forward to hearing from you. Glennis.
CATSNIP COMES TO LANIA - For centuries cats have been an integral part of life
in Cyprus. In fact, the first evidence of cat
ownership in Cyprus dates back to 7500 BC. Following
this tradition, we, in Lania, are blessed with
beautiful and generally very healthy domestic and
feral cats. Both the residents and visitors obtain
great pleasure from their company, but here’s the rub – there are just too many feral cats in Lania.
Did you know that one female produces on average 6
female and 6 male offspring each year. By year 5 this
will have increased the population to a total of
approximately 33,613 cats. Of course, even with the
natural illness and mortality rate, this is just far
too many for a small village to support! In the past,
means have been found to cull the feral population -
many of these methods are just not acceptable, and an
alternative has to be found.
Catsnip was established by two ladies in Limassol
approximately 18 months ago. Already, Catsnip has
neutered 800 cats of the estimated 11,000 feral cats
in Limassol. We are fortunate in that they have
allowed us to use their name, their expertise and
contacts to set up a ‘branch’ here in Lania.
We have just started to raise funds to neuter our
feral cats in the village. Selected cats will be
caught, photographed and their details recorded. They
will be neutered by a fully qualified veterinary
surgeon, cared for whilst recovering and then released
back into the cat community. In this way, we hope to
control the feral cat population and avoid other more
desperate measures being used.
We are happy to report that a very successful start to
the scheme has been made. Enthusiasm is high, and at
the Lania Tavern Disco on 29 December, CYP275 was
raised from a raffle and auction. Very many thanks to
all those who so generously contributed to the Catsnip
funds at this event. In addition, other donations
have been received, including the sale of Catsnip
calendars which has brought the final amount raised to
CYP350, at the end of 2007. Thanks to all for making
this such a successful start to Lania Catsnip.
(Please note that some Calendars are still available
at CYP3.50).
We are greatly encouraged by the support from all
quarters of Lania and beyond. We hope to hold many
fund raising events in the coming year. If you would
like to help us by holding a coffee morning,
sponsoring a cat, or have ideas that would move things
along, please get in touch with Susan or Veronica.
Contacts:
Veronica Houghton: M 99428093, Home 25432421,
Email: acumen@spidernet.com.cy
Susan Costerton: M 99679578, Home 25434538,
Email: paul_costerton@btinternet.com
LANIA GETS A MAKEOVER. You can't move for builders trucks in Lania these days
as construction workers work hard to restore the
village centre. Many of the old houses are being
refurbished with plenty of beautiful stonework on
view. The narrow lanes are being re-cobbled and
certainly add much charm to the place. The old Boys
School and the adjacent old Olive Press are undergoing
major restoration and should be ready for occupation
late in 2008.
News from Lania CB. Posted 13th November 2007.
I can understand that many people wish to see things
moving, or at least to know that the Board is working
on things. I also think that many things need to be
taken up as soon as possible but this needs time and
effort. I can tell you that all members of the
Community Board are aware of those things which need
to improve and are ready to work to really improve
things. The point is that we do not have yet the
mechanism to move thinks fast. We do not even have a
secretary and the computer equipment which we bought
(together with a software package designed for the
Community Board) is still not in use.
The role of the Board.
What to say here? I can say that is very important;
the same as with any Municipal Council in any town. It
Is the local authority with extensive duties. The
Board has the responsibility for public toilets, of
cleaning all public places and fixing faulty streets.
The LCB is not responsible for the road from the
police station to Kato Lania. The responsibility is
with the central Government. We have sent a letter and
reminder asking them to fix the road.
Lanate and hunting.
This is controlled by law and if any individual is not
following the law then the police must be informed.
Fire prevention
This is something that has been discussed many times
in the board. We have asked in the past for a vehicle
to be placed at the police station. The trouble is
that the Government can provide the car only with one
Fireman and the village has to provide volunteers.
Those who will volunteer can be called at any time and
to work for one, two or three days, not only in the
area but anywhere there is fire. Do you know any one
who wishes to do this? The Minister visited the
village this year and he promised to give a vehicle to
each and every village for this purpose. So we have
something on this hot subject.
Coffee shop.
The coffee shop belongs to the Culture Club and the
Culture Club is totally independent from the Community
Board. There was an effort to bring the English
speaking residents into the life of the culture club.
A meeting was organized, a wine night before the
election and some people become members of the club.
This is not enough of course but is something. We can
build on that. People can visit the Coffee shop just
for coffee and then we can reopen this subject.
Communication.
It is true that the lack of proper communication has
and will create a lot of trouble to the life of the
village. In the old days people got the information
personally in the coffee shop. Discussions took place
and public opinion was expressed there! This is a very
basic Democracy which is not sufficient anymore. Also,
the need of this communication is not a need for every
one around. We have a website and we will try to
inform people. I am available to give almost all the
goings on related to the Village committee and the
Culture club.
Plans for the future.
The LCB will try to implement the master plan which
covers many aspects of village life. The old Olive
Press is being restored and will be ready by June
2008. There is a good chance of getting money to
upgrade the Park. The CTO will sponsor this. We will
apply and see. This is for 2008. We are trying to buy
a house next to the Linos. If we manage this, it will
be used for many different purposes.
The New Highway.
Another subject which is become very hot this Summer!
A group against the present route of the road exists.
This group, together with members of the Committee,
visited the Minister of Works. The Minister was
opposed very strongly to the idea of leaving the
present road as it is. He said if the road is a
problem to you, he can change the direction, just show
me where it is not a problem to you. The new route was
proposed to be behind the hill. After that, a
considerable number of people have signed a paper
(personally I have not seen this paper) asking the
Government to leave the plans as they are. The
Community Board is not with one opinion. The same
applies to the people of the village. There are very
strong views for and against the idea to move the
road.
The Minister has changed in the mean-time and so far,
we haven’t see the new plans.
General comment.
Opinions and Complaints can be posted in the box
outside the Office. I wish to say that the LCB is
working in a very difficult situation which was
inherited. I know that this is a very common excuse,
but is true. My mobile is always open for the people
and I wish to know if something is going wrong in the
village or what positive ideas are around. Especially,
I wish to know who is prepared to do what for the
village. If anyone wishes to raise his taxes please
let me know I can very easily arrange this!
Thanks
George Ktistis,
Committee Member LCB. (Tel: 99416536, Email: gktistis@cytanet.com.cy)
Lania Master Plan is now available, in Greek and English, as a Adobe pdf
presentation, by clicking here. Details on the new bypass are still vague.
Almond Meadows, behind the football field in Lania, is a new development
of 18 detached houses. Already, two houses are occupied and more new
residents are on the way. See www.bliss.com.cy for details.
Broadband is long awaited and may come to Lania in 2007 but a lack of
telephone lines to the village may delay things!
Craft Lessons: Tuesdays at 11am in the Youth Centre behind Lania
football field and Tuesdays at 5pm
Greek classes at the Lania Community/Youth centre (next to the football pitch)
at 12 noon on Wednesdays, at £14 per year (£2 for OAPs ) with Mikaella Nikolao. Email: M.Nikolaou@Christis.com.cy
Social: Drink and chat at Lania Tavern, Fridays from 8pm.
Women’s’ Group,
The women of Lania meet every fortnight, usually Tuesdays at 4pm at the old coffee shop. All women of Lania are very welcome. The proceedings are mostly in Greek with English translation. Please phone Jackie on 25432404 or Spyroulla on 25432370.
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