MEPA approves Nadur quarry extension [29/04/05]

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority sanctioned an extension to a hard stone quarry in San Blas and approved the utilisation of the disused quarry as an inert landfill site. The quarry is in a remote rural area, about 175 metres southwest of the 17th century Ta' Sopu coastal watch tower. To the west, the site adjoins the Gozo AFM base and to the south Wied ir-Rihan. The quarry has been active since 1976 and its depth ranges between 16 and 30 metres. The permit was granted against a number of conditions including a planning gain contribution of Lm10,000 to be used for urban development in the locality and another Lm20,000 to go towards the restoration of the quarry. MEPA had received several objections to the development from the Nadur Local Council, several residents and Alternattiva Demokratika, Malta's Green Party. The Nadur Local Council is working on a Lm250,000-project to transform the area into a big recreational park. (source: timesofmalta.com)

Bells toll joyously for Pope's inaugural ceremony [24/04/05]

The bells of the Nadur Parish church tolled joyously at midday on Sunday, while Benedict XVI was being inaugurated as the 265th leader of the Catholic Church. Benedict XVI has marked the formal beginning of his reign as Pope by appealing for Christian unity. In the sermon at his inauguration Mass in a packed St Peter's Square, the Pope said: "Let us do all we can to pursue the path toward the unity". He also sent greetings to the Jewish people who he said shared a joint spiritual heritage with Christians. He said his task was not to pursue his own ideas, but to listen to and be "guided by the will of God."

Nadur gears up for unique Carnival [20/04/05]

Nadur, this year's World Carnival City, is busily preparing to host the silver jubilee convention of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC). The convention will be held between May 28th and June 5th. There has been a huge response for this event and a number of hotels in Gozo are already fully booked with hundreds of delegates from European countries as well as nations further afield such as Pakistan, Argentina and Brazil. Five or six groups - ranging from dance groups to samba bands - will be taking part in the event. However, the upcoming convention is not just for delegates, but also a week of activities for Maltese and Gozitans to play a part - either as participants or spectators. Click here to visit the official event website.

Cardinal confirms Nadur-visit despite parish pressure [10/04/05]

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands, Cardinal Adrian Simonis, of Utrecht, confirmed he will be in Nadur late in May to participate in the FECC silver jubilee convention. The Nadur Parish Church was hoping Cardinal Simonis would change his mind and cancel the visit. In a letter sent to Cardinal Simonis the Gozitan parish explained its position regarding the unique carnival held every year in Nadur. A number of local priests sent letters to newspapers and to local authorities claiming there cannot possibly be another Carnival in Nadur. Cardinal Simonis will be leading a Pontifical Mass on June 1st. All local priests are being invited to join him in the celebration.

Fifth LC convenes for first time [01/04/05]

Nadur's fifth Local Council, sworn in on Tuesday, March 29th, met for the first time on Friday, April 1st. Dr Chris Said and Miriam Portelli were reappointed mayor and deputy mayor respectively. Dr Chris Said welcomed new councillors Andrew Muscat, Maria Natoli and Jonathan Buttigieg and presented his three-year program. He explained how Nadur's fifth local council is in for some big challenges. The Nadur LC has promised residents to turn an old quarry in San Blas into a recreational area, to make the picturesque San Blas Bay more accessible and to give a new facelift to Nadur's centre. After commissioning a report on traffic in Nadur, the Nadur LC shall take a number of decisions to better organise the traffic flow in Nadur. The Council also has a long list of environmental, social, cultural and educational initiatives to work on.