Bikers On Our Lady Of Graces Pilgrimage To Żabbar

Sep 11 2023

On Sunday morning in Malta, lots of motorcycle riders and bicycle enthusiasts went on a journey through the roads to reach Żabbar, the place where the old tradition of the pilgrimage for Our Lady of Graces began.

The motorcycle riders started their pilgrimage in Mosta, while the cyclists began their journey in Rabat. Both groups followed a picture of Our Lady of Graces displayed on a van. They finished their trip to Żabbar around 1pm.

This tradition started in 1951 when they celebrated the Coronation of Our Lady of Graces. At first, it was only for motorcycle riders, but soon cyclists wanted to join too, so they had to create two separate routes. Motorcycle riders left from Mosta at 9am from a place called Ġnien l-Għarusa al-Mosta, while cyclists started their journey from Rabat, near the Mdina Gate playground. During their pilgrimage, the participants followed a picture of Our Lady of Graces.

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The tradition began when two members of MUSEUM heard about a motorcycle pilgrimage in Italy to honor Our Lady of Graces and suggested it as a one-time event. However, it turned into a tradition that continues today.

There were times when the pilgrimage had to be canceled or postponed. It happened first in 1976 because of an election, then in 1984 after a tragic incident where five soldiers and two police officers lost their lives in a patrol boat explosion. Most recently, the pandemic also caused the pilgrimage to be canceled or delayed.

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PN Calls For Protest Against Benefits Fraud Racket Tonight

Sep 11 2023

The Nationalist Party has urged the public to gather in protest outside Parliament at 6:30 pm on Monday, expressing their disapproval of the benefits fraud scheme orchestrated by a former Labour Party MP. This call for protest followed a Prime Minister interview in Marsaxlokk, where he defended the government’s stance on the benefits fraud scandal.

The Nationalist Party criticized Robert Abela’s government for persistently supporting this scheme, asserting that it primarily favored the Labour Party in the previous general election.

Highlighting the Labour Party’s reluctance to convene Parliament for a discussion on this matter, the Nationalist Party emphasized the national significance of addressing these concerns, insisting that the government must respond to the public’s inquiries.

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne announced the appointment of a board to investigate the disability benefits scheme, assuring that the board’s findings will be presented for parliamentary debate upon completion.

Recent reports from the Times of Malta unveiled the extensive benefits fraud scheme led by former Labour MP Silvio Grixti. Grixti provided individuals with fabricated medical certificates and documents, enabling them to falsely claim severe disability benefits, amounting to over €400 per month.

Approximately 800 individuals benefited from this fraudulent operation, with police subsequently charging them with social benefit fraud. Grixti resigned from parliament in December 2021 when the case first came to light.

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Former Waste Treatment Site To Transform Into Marsascala Park

Sep 11 2023

WasteServ submits plans to transform the Sant’Antnin Waste Treatment Plant into a green recreational space, spanning circa 23,800 square metres.

The site which houses the Sant’Antnin Waste Treatment Plant is set to be transformed into a green recreational space, in a proposed project spearheaded to give this 23,800 sqm space back to the community.

Most of the operations of this plant were shut down in December 2022. After preparing the designs for this new green open space, WasteServ submitted the project’s development application to the Planning Authority. The proposed plans will be presented for public consultation as part of the permitting process, before the Authority’s final consideration.

The former waste treatment site in Marsaskala will be regenerated into an urban greening space dominated by mature trees, water bodies, various educational facilities and other amenities. An underground parking is being proposed, also servicing Marsaskala with an e-park and ride, encouraging sustainable mobility.

This large-scale green project will be made possible following WasteServ’s efforts to streamline its operations, freeing up the sprawling area to be enjoyed by the public in a project of international standard. This aligns with the ECOHIVE strategy, which aims to significantly improve the Magħtab area. Malta is moving away from its traditional dependence on landfills and towards modern facilities that utilise waste resources in an environmentally sustainable way. Once fully implemented, this strategy will profoundly impact the environment.

WasteServ is also delivering historical records regarding recyclables output over the last two years. Moreover, just this year, an over 35% increase in organic waste has been recorded. Black bag arrivals are at their lowest recorded levels for the last 10 years, with a drastic reduction of 600 tonnes in black bags alone compared to the same period last year.

The Marsaskala project proposal aims to yield a vast environment for local fauna, land-based and fresh water and is also intended to serve as a rehabilitation site for various species. It also seeks to incorporate the educational aspect to continue stimulating the required transition towards a better environment, based on sustainability and circular economy principles.

The significant changes being implemented have already yielded positive results, including the successful rehabilitation and conversion of Wied Fulija and Qortin Gozo landfills into biodiversity havens.

Projects like this new open space in Marsaskala are only possible thanks to the successful implementation of waste management policies, the lack of which would have only implied further landfills and take up of land as has been the past occurrence. WasteServ continues to push forward its green circular economy agenda as it implements the largest-ever investment at half a billion euro in Malta’s waste management infrastructure.

WasteServ thanks the general public for its incessant efforts, which efforts are a vital requirement for the implementation of the ECOHIVE strategy.

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Mellieha Fireworks After Show Postponed Due To Storm

Sep 11 2023

After the planned fireworks for the village feast on the 7th of September had to postponed due to a forecasted storm, Mellieha celebrated in the usual Maltese traditional style last night.

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Fireworks were lit in celebration of the village feast for all those anticipating this year’s edition of the celebrations, after having been deprived because of rain, lightning and strong winds.

Was your village feast postponed or held earlier due to the storm?

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