Campaign To Restore Comino Bakery Into Green Community Hub Raises €8,000 So Far
An activist campaign to restore a neglected, historic bakery on Comino into a sustainable community landmark has managed to raise the first €8,000 needed to take the first step.
Hosted on the crowdfunding platform Zaar, Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) aims to raise a total of €30,000 by the end of April, to turn it into a non-for-profit space for environmental education, workshops and nature walks, while also respecting the islands’ status as a Natura2000 site.
The idea was initiated by Martin Galea De Giovanni the organisation’s director, who stumbled upon the old bakery during a camping trip in the 90s.
“We’re so pleased to find the support from the general public and local businesses to help get this project started. Over the past 38 years as an organisation, we’ve learned that the community lies at the heart of everything we do. And, rooted in the bakery’s history is a strong tie with the local farming community who used to live on Comino.”
Maria Eileen Fsadni the organisation’s communications coordinator stressed the importance of involving the community in this green effort.
“It was important for us to offer the opportunity for the community to be involved in the restoration of the historic site from the very beginning, and we believe that crowdfunding for the renovation project will honour the story of the building.”
The building itself has some incredible traditional features, including limestone arches, and wooden beams and the bakery’s historic oven – which is one of very few still remaining – is still intact.
Unfortunately, the rest of the building has suffered from decades of neglect.
“Ceilings have caved in, windows and doors are missing, and it has suffered acts of vandalism,” the organisation lamented.
Plans for the building, which already have Planning Authority approval, will see the historic site restored to its former glory, using original material from the collapsed sections wherever possible and other second-hand materials to keep the impact and sustainability as low as possible.
FoEM is also keen to learn about the bakery’s history.
“We’ve been in touch with a number of people who have memories of the bakery and the small population who enjoyed Comino during the 20th century,” Fsadni said.
With the help of €30,000, Friends of the Earth Malta will tackle only the basics.
They plan to secure the site with windows, doors and basic security in order to prevent further vandalism, install essential facilities, including a simple bathroom and supply some areas of the building with electricity.
The next steps will allow space for informal workshops and a space to immerse in nature. Finally, if they meet the first two targets they would like to responsibly clear the site from the gathering rubble, and rubbish left behind by passers-by.
To donate, learn more about the project or share the story please click the following link: http://www.foemalta.org/cominozaar If you have any trouble donating, have any relevant memories of Comino, or have any questions kindly email [email protected] for further information.
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