Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1480753
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 OCTOBER 2022 12 COMMERCIAL A string of historical religious street niches within the local- ity of Sliema, bearing a vari- ety of saints', will be restored through the financial assis- tance of the Planning Author- ity's Development Planning Fund (DPF). e project which is being carried out by the Rotary Club La Valette and the Sliema Lo- cal council will see the resto- ration of 15 niches and stat- ues in various street around Sliema. Many of these statues show a devotion to Saint Paul, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Anthony. Over the years many of these statues have been painted over several times or left exposed to the elements, with them showing signs of de- terioration. For this project the Author- ity will be funding just over €34,000. e Minister for Public Works and Planning, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that it was his Government's duty to utilise public funds such as the Devel- opment Planning Fund as this helps to conserve the historical heritage in the heart of towns and villages. Zrinzo Azzopardi thanked the Planning Authority that man- ages this Fund, the Rotary Club Malta, and Tas Sliema Local Council for their initiatives. He appealed to more organizations to follow the same example. Perit Vincent Cassar, Chair- person of the PA's Development Planning Fund said "Niches, or niċċa in Maltese, are syn- onymous with the historical streetscapes of our towns and villages. Our forefathers open- ly displayed their devotion to particular saints by decorating their image in a niche on the façade or corner of their homes. Although today it is much rar- er to find a new development incorporating this architectural element into the building, we are duty bound to safeguard and protect the numerous stat- ues and niches add to the char- acter of our traditional towns and villages." Perit Cassar concluded "We want to thank the Rotary Club La Vallette for taking on this noble initiative in collaboration with the Sliema Local Council. We encourage other similar or- ganisations to follow suit and take up other projects which serve to enhance the quality of life for the locality's communi- ty." Sliema Mayor John Pillow said, "Safeguarding our cul- tural heritage remains on the forefront of the Local Councils agenda. It is for this reason that works are beginning on the first 15 niches around the locality and we will continue to protect these niches around our local- ity." Street niches were introduced in Malta in the time of the Knights when in 1569 Grand Master Pietro del Monte in- troduced new regulations con- cerning what was necessary to build in a city or in a corner. Property owners were obliged to decorate the corners with or- naments such as statues, niches or else with the coat of arms of the respective families. In fact, these architectural re- ligious features were first seen in Valletta and the ree Cities, but smaller towns and villages soon caught on the tradition. e Authority also agree to fund the artistic production of a monument which will be dedicated to the former Sliema Wanders football legend Tony Nicholl. e monument is be- ing commission by the Sliema Wanderers Football Club and the Sliema local council will be placed in Pjazza Sant'Anna at the Sliema Ferries. Undoubtfully, one of Malta's football icons, Tony Nicholl's was greatly admired for his ex- tremely versatile qualities on the field of play. Spanning a 26-year career in top class football, Nicholls was approached several times to sign for the then top division English team Charlton Athlet- ic. He turned down the offers for family reasons. e youngest of 23 siblings, Tony attended Stella Maris Col- lege and started playing for the Sliema Wanderers' senior team in 1931. With the Wanderers he won ten championships, nine FA Trophy medals, seven Cassar Cups, plus one with Valletta as a guest player, and six times the Scicluna Cup. He passed away on the March 11, 1999. Planning Authority to fund restoration of Sliema religious 'nicca's A niche dedicated to Sacro Cuor in Triq Rudolfu