CIC Meetings in January and February

The Rethymnon branch of the Cretan International Community meets on the first Thursday of every month at Svea’s Konditori, Kapetan Lemonia 3, Rethymnon, from 11am. The January meeting will take place on Thursday 08/01/09, and the February meeting will take place on Thursday 05/02/09. Everyone, regardless of membership status is welcome to attend.

The CIC coffee mornings are a great way to meet others from the international community, and to find out about up-and-coming local events. The local coordinator for the Rethymnon branch of the CIC is Anna Capernaros. Anna may be reached on 28310 57305. The President of the CIC is Eva Smith, her contact number is 6979 775400. You can find further information about the CIC organization itself on the www.thecic.eu website.

Christmas Charity Bazaars: Interim Update

The Charity Bazaars held by both the CIC and Friends of Animals at the beginning of December were well attended — thanks go to everyone who helped to support these worthwhile events. As we were going to press, final tallies had yet to be made of money raised for the causes concerned. We will be providing you with an update (and maybe some pictures, too!) from both bazaars in our next issue.

In Memoriam: Walter ‘Wally’ Edgcumbe

Wally and Malcolm singing

In December, we bade a fond farewell to our dear friend Wally. It is a privilege to have known him.
Ann, Wally’s widow, writes:

“It is with much sadness we announce the death of Walter ‘Wally’ Edgcumbe on Sunday 7th December 2008.
He moved to Crete only three years ago but was known and loved by many, both Greek and Ex Patriots of several countries. Wally had led a very full life, leaving school at fourteen to become a carpenter apprentice, a trade he later put to good use when he joined the Royal Air Force, in which he served for twenty nine years. He worked on Mosquitoes mainly in the early years which, in his opinion, were far superior to the Spitfire. In his spare time he became a boxing champion fighting for the RAF until injuries forced him to stop.
He had many foreign postings and spent twelve years in Cyprus in charge of a workshop in which he had both Greek and Turkish men under him.
It was in Cyprus that he first tried scuba diving and was instantly hooked, going on to form scuba clubs in many RAF camps when retuning to the UK.
On leaving the RAF he became a partner in a double glazing company as the manufacturing director until the recession closed it - as happened to so many companies at that time. He was subsequently made bankrupt but went back to his tools and made many more friends in the Tavistock area in which he was now living with Ann.
He was even asked to become a member of the Royal Marine Association, an honour indeed for a ‘Fly boy’ from the RAF.
He had always wanted to spend his last days in the sun and in January 2006 he and Ann took the huge step and came to live in Crete.
In May of this year he was deeply honoured to be asked by the CIC to lay a wreath, with his great friend Malcolm Burnley, at the annual Battle of Crete Memorial Service at Souda Bay.
He had a very varied life, lived every moment to the full and brought so much love and laughter to everyone, whether he knew them or not.”
‘In a sky full of stars there are always some that shine a little brighter.’

Cancer Support Group

A Cancer Support Group has been formed for people who have been through or who are undergoing treatment for cancer, as well as for someone who has recently lost someone to cancer. These are the needs of the current group. It is a diverse group for now and different groups can be formed later on an "as needed" basis. This is a support group not a therapy group, and confidentiality is a given. There is no fee. Meetings will be held on the first Monday of every month in Georgioupolis, at the Samaria in the square, from 11 AM - 1 pm. Carpooling available from Rethymnon. Any questions or comments can be directed to Chris - 6977559644 or email cparnassus@hotmail.com