I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Tony C. Cutajar for his continuous support and dedication in putting forward recommendations for further improvements in our town, San Ġwann.

I have seen San Ġwann grow over the last 40 years; however, little space has been left for recreational purposes and for green areas for the local families to enjoy.

Apart from the two proposed public gardens which are in dire straits and need urgent attention, I wish to also refer to the area next to the chapel of Tal-Propostu. The area also covers old dwellings making a characteristic hamlet. This chapel was restored about 10 years ago by the Association of Lyceum Past Students with the help of the local council.

For some reason the association was not allowed to take over the day-to-day care of the chapel. It has now been left to deteriorate as it is rarely used. In the original project it was envisaged that the areas surrounding the chapel, the hamlet and the old street which used to lead from Tal-Balal to San Ġwann would also be landscaped and the stretch of the old street turned into a public garden, including a belvedere of the valley.

I also want to recommend a public private initiative which is already successful in other countries. This is the creation of “plant sheds”, which will be installed in schools, clubs and other local association centres. This project will be mostly managed and taken care of by children attending the various schools and other educational centres under the guidance of the local council. Seasonal flowering plants are sown, which while still at nursery stage are distributed periodically to all local families to decorate the open balconies with them.

This is another way of embellishing our home town. As an incentive towards the project, the local council will donate a prize for the most attractive balconies or façades in town.

These two projects should be taken into consideration so as to make San Ġwann greener and more attractive.