Flowers of Crete by Nick Turland and John Fielding

I am about to order copies of the above book for signing at Nick Turland's talk on Saturday, 21st March. The cost per copy of this book will be 65 euros, which includes post and packing. This seems a lot, but for anyone interested in the flora of Crete it is invaluable and a must have! I can only buy in pre-ordered and paid for books, so can anyone who want a copy to get signed by Nick, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. Books can also be ordered and paid for on the night, but these, of course, will not be signed. julia@flowersofcrete.info

FoC Bazaar in Neapoli

The date and venue for the Bazaar in April is yet to be confirmed, but please offer your support by donating items for sale. We are also hoping for a good 'bakes and preserves' table, so if you feel you can contribute, please get in touch with a member of the Committee and let them know.

Julia Jones
Chris Wolfenden
Jane Sharp
Barbara May
Rosemary John

Rare flower out now!

Nick Turland, co-author of 'Flowers of Crete' has asked if we can look out for a very rare flower which is in bloom now and can be found 'somewhere between Pano Pines and Kastelli'. It grows on cultivated land and continues to flower for some years after fields have been left fallow. To see the plant and, hopefully, recognise it, please go to Nick's flickr site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nturland/3187002654/

The plant is called Bongardia and hasn't been seen since Lance Chiltern saw it seven years ago.

If you are in the area and fancy a 'treasure hunt' please look for it and send me a photo if you are lucky enough to find it.

Making of the Cretan Landscape

Jennifer Moody,co- author of the wonderful and informative 'Making of the Cretan Landscape' has generously offered to give a talk to us in Aghios Nikolaos. The provisional date for this talk is 21st July, 2009. More details later, please check back to find out more.

Bazaar in Neapoli

We are holding a fund raising bazaar in Neapoli on 12th April - venue to be announced shortly - and are putting out a call for items to sell. There will be the usual books, CDs, DVDs, produce and bric-a-brac. If you have anything you would like to donate or can help on the day, contact Julia or Barbara May. We really need to get some new leaflets printed in time for the tourist season, so please help us if you can.

Meeting last night

We had an excellent meeting at BioAroma last night, with an attendance of 13 people. Great for a cold, February night. Sakis made us very welcome and everyone was enchanted by the museum and shop. We managed to get through all the business in good time and we were treated to a delicious slice of home made cake and a cup of herbal tea. Anyone who hasn't visited BioAroma has missed a charming and interesting experience. Chris Woolfenden is writing up the Minutes of the Meeting and an outline of these will be on the Blog shortly. If you would like to receive a full copy and our monthly newsletter, please send me (Julia) your e-mail address and we will add your name to the mailing list.

Monday visit to Pezoulia Nature Reserve

It was pouring with rain yesterday when Rosemary John and I went up to Vrahassi to visit the reserve with the intention of working on the species list. During a dry spell we decided to venture out, but when we reached the site it was pouring again. Not having waterproofs, I opted to stay in the car, whilst the other two brave warriors went out into the storm to check on our prized Twayblade. It still looks like a Twayblade and we are almost 100% sure that it is, but there is still the lurking possibility that it is something else. This little orchid won't be in flower until April, so excitement is mounting. Check back regularly to see how it is growing! I admit it doesn't look like much now!

Flowers of Crete Meeting Tomorrow - Agenda

Tomorrow's meeting will discuss the following topics (amongst others) :

Art Competition
Flowers of Crete products
Calendar of Events for next 6 months
Nature Reserve at Pezoulia
Nature Reserve at Houmeriakos
Documentary on Cavo Sidero
New Blog
Environmental week in Aghios Nikolaos
Boat for Nick Turland - any contacts

There is a lot going on and plenty to talk about, so please come along and offer your support if you are in the area.

Soiree at Vrahassi 28th February

Following the success of the first 'International' Soiree of Poetry and Music at the Revolution Bar in Vrahassi, we would like to invite you to participate in the next event which will take place at 7.30 p.m. onwards on Saturday 28th February. The first soiree was a 'knock out' with a succession of excellent offerings from ex-pats and Cretans. Items ranged from classical music to a group rendering of On Ilkley Moor Bah Tat, through solo performances of poetry, country music and prose. The second event promises to be just as entertaining, so come early to get yourself a seat. There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the Grand Draw and a voluntary collection for the work of Flowers of Crete. Entrance is free, drinks at the bar. Don't miss out on a good old-fashioned evening's entertainment. More details from me, Julia Jones, or from Jane Sharp at Vrahassi.

New Prize in the Draw

Margaret Radcliffe of http://www.alternativecrete.com/ has kindly offered a 'reiki' session or a guided meditation session as one of the prizes in the Grand Draw. We are really grateful to everyone who has offered to donate a prize to this event, which is being held to raise money for Flowers of Crete and the new nature reserve Pezoulia at Vrahassi. The Draw will take place after Nick Turland's talk and slideshow at BioAroma in Aghios Nikolaos on Saturday 21st March. Thank you Margaret!

How to find BioAroma, Aghios Nikolaos

Here is a map of how to find BioAroma. It is on the old road that runs parallel to the main road, and is in front of Alfalumin and not far from the garden centre. There are signs to show the way on the main road, but you need to look out carefully for them.

Meeting in Aghios Nikolaos

There will be a meeting to discuss Flowers of Crete and matters arising at BioAroma, Aghios Nikolas at 7.30 p.m on Wednesday, 18th February. There also be a chance to look around the essential oils distillery and to visit the lovely little Cretan life museum. Much is happening at the moment and this will be a chance to get together and talk about various ideas, including the new nature reserve at Vrahassi. Please come along and join us.

Barlia robertiana

Flowers of Crete Monthly Newsletter

If you would like to register to receive the Flowers of Crete monthly newsletter, either by e-mail or hard copy, please send your details to julia@flowersofcrete.info E-mail copies are sent free of charge, but a yearly subscription of 20 euros to cover costs is required for hardcopies sent by regular mail. This newsletter will keep you up-to-date with developments on Crete and also shows a selection of images of native plants and flowers, together with a short description. Hardcopies can also be obtained from members of the Committee of Flowers of Crete at a cost of 1 euro per issue.

February flowers

Examples of flowers in bloom in February. For more images on our Flower Calendar, please visit www.flowersofcrete.info

Talk by Nick Turland on the Endangered Wildflowers of Crete

There will be a talk in Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, on Saturday, 21st March at BioAroma by the botanist and expert on Cretan wild flowers, Nicholaos Turland. Entrance to the talk will be free, but there will be a collection towards the costs of forming a Sylogos for Flowers of Crete and printing costs for leaflets, etc. The talk will commence at 7.30 p.m. and the evening will also include a tour around the essential oils distillery and small folklore museum. If you are interested in obtaining a ticket, please e-mail julia@flowersofcrete.info.

Fundraising Prize Draw

Flowers of Crete

Raffle to raise funds primarily for fencing of the new nature reserve 'Pezoulia' at Vrahassi -
to be drawn at BioAroma on Saturday, 21st March. Any remaining funds will be used to promote the Sylogos and the new nature reserve.

1st Star Prize: A week-end skippered cruise for six people out of Heraklion on a luxury yacht – to be taken the first suitable and available week-end after the draw of the raffle. Courtesy of Yiorgos Nicolaides of Crete-Sailing – http://www.crete-sailing.com/

Further prizes:

A walk for six people from Vrahassi to visit the nature reserve and to see the orchids. Courtesy of Jane and David Sharp, Revolution Bar, Vrahassi http://Anavlohos.com

An original watercolour painting by Flowers of Crete founder Julia Jones of Crocus oreocreticus – symbol of the organisation http://www.flowersofcrete.info/


A meal for two people at Lotus Eaters Restaurant, Elounda, courtesy of Mike and Christine Tolfree

A framed line drawing by artist Jane Vogas

Six prizes of hand-embroidered Flower book marks