An Update from Cynthia Smith re the Cat programme - please read if you can help with the Kouklia Cat issue-

(the picture above is our lovely spider cat - rescued last year)

Thanks to Angela Winstanley of Kouklia Arts for coming on board with our neutering programme. As things have been going at such a pace I hadn't had the chance to put her in the picture about the fund so am going to take this opportunity of updating everyone.
Known as, Mandry's Fund-Cyprus feral cat project, (TNR trap neuter and release) it was started April 2013 to help a heavily pregnant kitten surviving outside Mandria fish and chip shop. My friend Judith Jurner and her friends Anna and Norma instantly donated funds towards getting Mandry and her litter neutered. When we had raised enough money for that we moved onto a colony of feral cats that Judith was feeding in Timi.During the year we raised €1,100 , but needed some exposure about what we were doing. 
In comes Jo Welsby ,vet nurse from the uk who set up a fb page for us as I did not do fb then, she has posted all our pics and stories and is in fact updating the page this coming weekend.
Mandry's fund has nothing to do with the Tala Monastery Cats for whom I raise seperate funds by holding events at my home.
The link to Mandry's fund is https://www.facebook.com/mandrys fund
Please like and share our page 
At the moment we are concentrating on the cats in Kouklia square and the taverna owners have been very responsive to our efforts. 
In an attempt to reduce the kitten population we are neutering these cats (one such Tortie pictured above) at no cost to them as all these cats belong to the village and not to anyone personally. At the moment we have funds availeable but it won't take long for them to dry up if we continue to be so successful in our captures.We have a pay pal account where people can make donations and will be letting you know in future posts of hways in which you can help
Thanks Cynthia.

Today we joined the programme with our first caught cat - who we have been feeding and wormed - named Chalkie. - and narrowly missed another - (as the scars on my arms will testify!)
We have many feral cats in the village, - and with the help and sound guidance ( 'get him by the scruff of the neck Angela') of Cynthia Smith, we atKouklia Artworks are promoting her initiative to humanely manage the feline population. through the capture neuter and release programme .
Chalkie may be disgruntled with us at the moment, but I know will return to us tomorrow unharmed after his stay at the vet's in Paphos, and if he chooses to ever come near me again- he will be treated to some of the lovely sardine which he was aiming for when he entered the trap.

He certainly WON'T be adding to the problem of more kittens who would have no home and require rescuing at a later stage through Cynthia and the Tala Monastery Cat rescue association . http://www.talamonasterycats.com/

Although Villages actually need cats to keep on top of the rat and mouse population, which in turn manages the snake problem, cats are cats, and breeding can run out of control.

If anybody is interested in getting involved, Cynthia runs a Cattery in KOUKLIA, for rescue, and boarding, and raises funds for the programme- Nice one Cynthia.

We are hoping for ' the one that got away' tomorrow !'
http://www.talamonasterycats.com/

This promises to be an interesting week in Kouklia - we are all looking forward to the Zingers Concert in the Square - a Fundraising event for Cancer Support - great Cause - however - the current Kouklia Debacle throws a shadow over preparations for the evening.

Kouklia is full of kindness and goodwill - lets not be wrong about that - I find regular gifts of flowers, fruit, a radio and Zuvanier left for me at the gallery from the lovely guys at the coffee shop - well intentioned and received with humble'ness.
Each morning, so many ' Cali Mera's as I pass on my way to work - lovely lovely people. - and yet beneath lies so much unrest which is likely to do irreparable damage to our community.
Taverna owners are informing me that forward bookings are being cancelled as there is no longer entertainment, and that Kouklia is no longer a safe place to relax and dine with Children.
Whilst everybody is ' doing their best' to sustain the KOUKLIA MAGIC - SOME ARE HARD PRESSED AS THEY SEE THE REAL THREAT TO BUSINESSES THEY HAVE WORKED HARD AT AND INVESTED IN.

The issue is now with the dept of transport or which ever 'owns' the main road through kOUKLIA square - and haste is required if this summer is to be saved at all.

The event on Saturday is an indicator of the spirit of the tenacious people of Kouklia - THE SHOW MUST ( and apparently will) GO ON. !!!!!!!

Further to my last post - I was so proud last night of the ingenuity and tenacity of Local Business.

No longer able to place Traditional Dancing in the square, Maria brought the guys indoors in sweltering heat, to perform for a group who come from CHINA every year, to KOUKLIA, to enjoy the performance.

People peered through windows to get a glimpse, and the guys came out into the square for the fire dance only. Everything was ' done and dusted' and all quiet by 11.00.
Elsewhere around 40 people sat out to enjoy ' the match' outside V bar - very quietly, and other tavernas were fully occupied.

Now we just need to find a way to stop cars, taxis, vans etc blocking off the Gallery, from the square, - we have a nightly blockade at the coffee shop - nobody's fault in particular, just the fact that the roads are open. - SO instead of being busy serving customers, I sit alone staring at ' a car park'.
And, as an aside, one brave lady ran the gauntlet of cars speeeding through Kouklia Square, to escort a small child who was standing in the middle of the road, back to safety. 

Given the current economic situation in Cyprus, who would believe that a SERIOUS threat to livelihoods  in our lovely village of Kouklia would be tolerated.
Who would believe things could change so much from my last post - looking forward to the summer.

A complaint has been made by 1 Cypriot resident about closure of the streets, and noise. He is apparently not open to negotiation or compromise.

The result of this has been an embargo on closure, music, and possibly even tables and chairs on the street, resulting in significant lack of summer revenue for our Tavernas, who are dependent on additional summer tables to boost numbers of summer diners.

( The roads are owned by the police, therefore it is not in the council’s gift to overrule)

This  action is putting many of the Taverna owners ‘ at risk’ and may impact on our own outlet.

However, we do not just accept this situation.

Paper based petitions are circulating the village

There is a FACEBOOK site, set up yesterday, which is gathering momentum - ‘Close Village Centre Of Kouklia during Summer – please ‘like’ and circulate to your own friends.

Please follow the link 
www.facebook.com/pages/Close-Village-Centre-Of-Kouklia-during-Summer/

and 'like'