British Pensioner: Missing in Crete

Photo Credit: Arthur's Family

One month on and the campaign continues to find missing Briton, Robert "Arthur" Jones, a 73 year old from Denbigh in North Wales who was on holiday in the Chania area of Crete. He has not been seen since June 19. His son Jeff flew to Crete soon afterwards and launched a leaflet distribution campaign. With the  help of £20,000 funds raised, he has since generated with the help of friends and family a spirited online effort drawing support from British national media organizations, social networks including Facebook and Twitter. The Jones' have even solicited and received support from Prime Minister, David Cameron.

A major search is already underway by the Greek and UK police. Were you on holiday on Crete on June 18, 2014 in the Chania area and met any Brits? The police continue to ask anyone to contact them, British or other nationality, if they visited the Souda War Cemetery on that day, a Wednesday as it is known Arthur paid a visit.

The search continues for Arthur but no news as of this date.

Full story of British pensioner, Robert Arthur Jones missing on Crete and full contact information if you think you may be able to help, can be found here.

It was no joke. A real krokodilos!

A local Rethymno resident could not believe his eyes when he spotted last week from his car a 2 metre long creature swimming in a local reservoir. It had all the features of a Crocodile. Surely not on Crete?

It turns out the local Cretans knew some wild animal was taking their chickens and sheep but had not reckoned on a croc. But there it was swimmingly happily in a span of water all on its own. Crocs are not native to Greece in modern times. More details in the video and further in the story (Greek with English subtitles).

Changed Contact Info for the British Consulate in Crete.

Brits in Crete has been informed that the British Vice Consulate located in Candia Tower, Thalita Street Heraklion has revised opening hours for us, the general public for the usual consular services. To note, you can make telephone enquiries Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 15:00 hrs. If you dial the usual number 2810 224012, in fact it goes to Athens and then is re-directed to Heraklion. Now if you want to make an appointment, that is down to a choice of just three days - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 09:00 and 13:00 hrs. There is more…..

Matala Music Festival 2014 is upon us, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - June 20, 21 and 22. No matter your age if you like the carefree life and good hard music, then this throw back gathering to the days of the hippies and flower power reprises for yet another year. More than 80,000 devotees of folk, guitar and rock are expected to descent on this south coast beach resort in Crete. The festival motto: "Today is Life, Tomorrow Never Comes". The weather forecast looks to be great - Clear Skies meaning wall-to-wall sunshine. So if you are Living on Crete be part of a week end of a total experience and meet like-minded folks of all ages. Bring your suntan lotion.

Makrigialos, Crete welcomes back the Casa dei Mezzo Classical Festival, Thursday 26 June - Monday 30 June, 2014. This year another outstanding list of invited artists are participating. These include two Brits, Northern Ireland born flautist, Eimear McGeown who is returning for a third year in a row and Scottish-born, mezzo-soprano Linda Finnie who is on her first appearance at the festival. 

Eimear McGeown (Twitter #Eimearflute) has established a busy and varied career since 2005.  One of the highlights was a recent invitation by Her Majesty the Queen to attend a Royal Reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the achievements of young people in the performing arts. Eimear has also earned a reputation on the Traditional Irish Flute and Whistle and was All Ireland Champion twice and her versatility led to her performing in the West End Production of 'Lord of the Rings' in Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Both as a classical and traditional Irish flautist, she has performed for Presidents Bill Clinton, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, Prince Charles and Prince Edward. Eimear is grateful to Camerata Ireland, Accenture, Concordia Foundation and Arts Council NI for their continuing support in her performing career.

International mezzo-soprano Linda Finnie is recognised as one of the finest artistes of her generation. Linda was born and educated in Scotland and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, winning all of the major singing prizes. In 1977 she came to full international recognition on winning the Kathleen Ferrier Prize at the International Vocalisten Concour in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. Linda has performed in all of the major opera houses in Great Britain, significantly with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the English National Opera, and with all of the leading British conductors in concerts, at the BBC Proms and in recordings.