Archived Month: February 03

Thousands enjoy special Thursday night-out!  [28/02/03]

Thousands of Gozitan youngsters packed a huge tent set up at Nadur's Football Ground for "Masquerade: The Official Carnival Kick-Off", organized by the Nadur Local Council in collaboration with J Portelli Projects, Dynamic Sound and june29th.com. The rhythm supplied by DJs J Joy, Malcolm B, Jay Cee and Neville Peak paved the way for Carnival 2003! Thumbs up to newcomer rock act, Fusion, whose debut made "Masquerade" extra special. The mood is now fully set for one of the year's most special weekends! Click here for photos!

Cold weather with some showers for Carnival weekend [27/02/03]

The Nadur Weather Observatory is predicting quite a windy, cold and rainy Carnival weekend, at least until Saturday morning. After that we should have partly to mostly cloudy conditions with a slight chance of a rain shower. "Unfortunately it seems we will not have the ideal weather conditions of the last three Carnivals," Nadur weatherman Joe Meilak told june29th.com. 

While keeping fingers crossed, have a look at the weather conditions during the last 12 Carnival weekends. Click here for more.  

Youngsters to face Xaghra on Saturday [27/02/03]

Nadur Youngsters will play their first of the last final five league games next Saturday, against First Division newcomers Xaghra United. The Youngsters must win to remain one-point ahead of challengers Ghajnsielem FC. This will be the 86th game between the Youngsters and a team from Xaghra. Charlie Grech prepared a few statistics. Click here to learn more.

And here it is: Carnival 2003 [25/02/03]

Carnival Week kicks off next Thursday, February 27th with "Masquerade: The Tent Party" at Nadur's Football Ground. DJs J Joy, Malcolm B, Jay Cee and Neville Peak will certainly put you in a perfect mood for Carnival Weekend. The spontaneous Carnival gets underway on Friday. Visit our Special Carnival Feature and read more about the Nadur Carnival, its History, the Sunday Show, read interviews and enjoy lots of great photos. The Sunday Carnival Show will be available on di-ve.com as from Monday, March 3rd.

Council to take action following june29th.com’s interview [24/02/03]

Following june29th.com’s controversial interview with Dr Vicki Ann Cremona on Nadur’s Spontaneous Carnival, the Nadur Local Council has agreed to set up a study group to discuss and evaluate what should be done to strengthen Nadur’s unique macabre Carnival. Speaking to june29th.com Mayor Dr Chris Said said the Council has also agreed not to put up the floodlights which used to be installed in December 13th Street during Carnival days. Click here for Dr Said's reply.

Naduri young priest appointed Ghajnsielem Parish Vicar [24/02/03]

Thirty-four-year-old Naduri Fr Joe Cardona has just been appointed Parish Vicar at Ghajnsielem. We would like to congratulate Fr Joe and wish him all the best in this new pastoral work. 

Fr Joe Cardona was ordained priest in June 2001 and afterwards spent two years working at St Mary's Parish in Sterling, Scotland.

Mnarja Band in mourning as Honorary President passes away [22/02/03]

Flags are being flown at half mast following the death of Joseph Grech (Gelluxa). Mr Grech was one of the Honorary Presidents of the Mnarja Philharmonic Society. Throughout his life he  constantly helped all Nadur organizations in all their respective needs. 

Apart from his involvement in the Mnarja Band, he was also a special benefactor for both the Parish and the football club. Amongst other things, Grech sponsored the statue of the Longino, the Roman Soldier in the Crucifixion Statue and offered his property at Xandriku Street to serve as the first Mnarja Band premises, before the Club was eventually built at December 13th Street. 

The Nadurin will give their final farewell to Joseph Grech on Saturday at 1515 CET. May he rest in peace.

"Wake Up! You are destroying your Carnival," warns expert [20/02/03]

In an exclusive interview to june29th.com, Dr Vicki Ann Cremona, Head of the Theatre Department at the University of Malta, said the real Nadur Carnival would soon be dead unless action is immediately taken. “You are focusing on an organized Carnival, which is a photocopy, and a bad one at that, of other Carnivals and, without realizing it, you are destroying what makes Nadur’s Carnival unique in Malta.” Click here and read all about.

Beautiful Baveno next in line for Nadur twinning [19/02/03]

The Mayor of Nadur Dr Chris Said was in Baveno between February 13th and 16th and started discussing the possibility of more collaboration between Nadur and Baveno. Dr Said and Mayor of Baveno Dr Paolo Marchioni had very positive talks, which should pave the way for the second Italian twinning.

Baveno is a beautiful locality, situated next to Lago Maggiore in the Northern Italian region of Piemonte. With a population of 4,700 people, Baveno is just 40 minutes away from central Milan and 35 minutes far from the Swiss border. Magnificent mountainous regions surround Baveno. Click here to visit the Nadur Local Council website.

Work on Last Supper Exhibition gets underway [16/02/03]

Busy days lie ahead for our friends at the MUSEUM (boys) branch, who have already started setting up the popular Last Supper Exhibition.

It is not an easy task to transform a common room into a first century Jewish Cenacle. The classroom will soon resemble a big mixed-up jigsaw puzzle, but then, little by little, everything will find its place for the creation of yet another Last Supper Exhibition... so much different from last year's presentation. Click here to read more about it or visit the MUSEUM website, which has just been revamped.

Australian Nadur Association unveils new website [15/02/03]

The Australian Nadur Association can now be found on a new website, designed and hosted by june29th.com. The website aims to inform everyone on the work being carried out by the Nadurin in Australia, while providing all information on the Order of St Peter & St Paul, incorporated in the same association.

Meanwhile, june29th.com would like to thank Association founder and President Peter Paul Portelli and all Association members for their much-appreciated support and assistance.

New additions to Carnival feature [13/02/03]

Check out a new Carnival Photo Gallery as part of june29th.com's Carnival Feature. A new page has also been set up for all our readers to submit their special Carnival photos.

Meanwhile june29th.com is currently working on three great new sections, which should be launched in a few weeks time!

A new party concept hitting Nadur soon [12/02/03]

Get ready for the wildest Carnival warm-up ever. All happening at free entrance on Thursday February 27th at Nadur's Football Ground. The Nadur Local Council has teamed up with june29th.com and is launching "Masquerade: the official Carnival Tent Party". 

One of Malta's top DJs, J Joy, will get you in the right mood, together with Malcolm B, Jay Cee and Neville Peak. Gozo's new band, Fusion, will also be making its official debut at Masquerade. And watch out for female dancers  lighting up the tent all night through. Spread the word... no tent party will ever be the same afterwards! 

Carnival to be celebrated as scheduled [11/02/03]

Carnival will not be postponed and will take place as scheduled, starting on February 28th!

A petition signed by some 80% of carnival float builders last week urged the government to postpone this year's carnival as carnival days will coincide with the last days of the referendum campaign. On Tuesday, however, a statement issued by the Carnival Organizing Committee said that the carnival will not be postponed and celebrations will be held as planned beforehand.

Get ready for one of the most special weeks in Nadur. Visit our special feature and stay tuned for some exciting new updates very soon!

Gozo amazed with Youngsters' supremacy [09/02/03]

A brilliant Youngsters with a super-shiny performance left thousands of people at the Gozo Stadium on Sunday amazed. The Nadur Youngsters went back on top of the Gozo Championship, slamming Ghajnsielem FC with a speedy thrilling play, which undoubtedly was too hot for the blacks to try to handle. The 1 - 0 result could have easily been doubled and even tripled had the Youngsters exploited all forward chances. With a superb lob, Anthony Portelli (Baggio) sent a packed Nadur side in delirium early on the 12th minute. The Youngsters, who played in their classy away red shirts, were supreme throughout all 90 minutes. We would not be doing justice to mention any player: all were brilliant!

Thumbs all up to all Youngsters' players, coach and management for their skillful handling of the match. The Youngsters may not be the oldest club in Gozo - but on Sunday they surely proved to be the best!

Click here for photos at the stadium and here for photos at Nadur.

Nadurin get their voting document [08/02/03]

The Electoral Commission on Saturday started distributing voting documents to all Nadurin who are eligible to vote on the March 8th EU referendum. Police and party agents were noticed walking through all Nadur roads, making sure everyone gets his voting document. All Nadurin, whose name appears on the current Electoral Registry, should get their vote by early next week. 

Meanwhile, the government is expected to decide on whether to postpone Carnival 2003 which this year ends just four days before the EU referendum. This could mean having Carnival being celebrated after Easter. Maltese float-builders believe this year's Carnival would be hampered if it takes place at the peak of the electoral campaign.

One target ahead for Youngsters: victory [07/02/03]

"We are starting our third round of the Gozo Football League with one aim - to beat Ghajnsielem, grab three-points and move ahead to claim the Championship," Club Manager Chris Said told a packed hall at the NYFC Friday rally. President Joseph Portelli, coach Teddie Bajada, captain Mario Bonello, Nursery Manager Joe Portelli and Club Assistant Secretary Joe Camilleri also addressed all those present.

All supporters were urged to give their utmost during all 90 minutes. However, all Club officials urged the Nadurin to give a responsible support, while fully respecting opponents. "This is the way we have always dealt with important games and that's how we want it to be," supporters were told. Click here for photos.

Asked to comment on this top-of-the-game clash, maltafootball.com's chief Antoine Busuttil said he expects a tough struggle between the squad with the best defense (Nadur Youngsters) against the one with the most enterprising attack (Ghajnsielem).

The game against Ghajnsielem is scheduled for next Sunday at the Gozo Stadium. It kicks off at 1500 CET. 

Coldest day for quite a while, says weather-man [06/02/03]

February 6th 2003 was the coldest day at Nadur for quite a while. The maximum temperature on Thursday was only 10.0^oC (50^oF) at 1438 CET. This temperature was the lowest since January 2002. The lowest temperature was only 4.6^oC (40.2^oF) recorded at 1037 CET during a heavy hailstorm, with the hail remaining on the ground for quite a while, presenting a rare wintry scene. This temperature was the lowest recorded since March 1999. Click here for a full report.

All set for Sunday's clash  [06/02/03]

Excitement is now mounting as the Youngsters prepare to face league challengers Ghajnsielem FC on Sunday. The supporters' rally, scheduled for Friday at the Youngsters Club, will start at 1930 CET.

Meanwhile some of Malta's best stadium enthusiast band players will join the Youngsters' special band at the Gozo Stadium next Sunday. The game kicks off at 1500 CET.

"It promises to be a spectacular match," football correspondent Joe Bajada told june29th.com. "Yet the season would be by no means over. Both sides have shown great football and great commitment throughout the season. Both deserve the Championship." Bajada believes the game could be won or lost with a marginal score as both squads are expected to strongly defend their side, while planning fast and skillful attacks.

This will be the 68th league game between the Youngsters and Ghajnsielem FC. Click here for the official statistics prepared by Charlie Grech.

Nadur greets hail on a freezy Thursday [06/02/03]

There wasn't enough to build a snow man, but enough to stay glued to the windowpane watching it coming down! Hail covered Nadur roads and cars on Thursday morning, with temperatures going down to as low as 6º Celsius. The coldest days of the season have been recorded in the past few days.

Very few people are daring to venture out in such cold weather. Meanwhile heaters and air conditioners are on all over. Click here for some pictures.

Rally for all Youngsters' supporters [01/02/03]

Nadur Youngsters will be calling all its supporters for a special rally on Friday, February 7th, two days before the much-awaited clash against title-contenders Ghajnsielem FC. “It’s a game which we must definitely win,” Manager Chris Said told june29th.com. “And we are inviting all supporters for this special rally, in which we will discuss important issues related to Sunday’s clash.”

Meanwhile, Giovan Vella and Chris Camilleri will be back on pitch following a six-week injury break. Paul Camilleri should be the only player not fit to play against the Blacks.

In the last-minute dealings in the transfer window the Youngsters tried to sign Alex Tramboo and Patrick Camilleri from Zebbug Rovers. Ghajnsielem FC were also negotiating with the Rovers to get Mario Azzopardi. However Zebbug Rovers decided not to release any of its players. The transfer season closed on January 31st.

news editor: Pierre J. Mejlak photos: Ryan J. Meilak