News

Formentera schools applauded as pupils envision 'plastic-free nature'

Thursday, 20 December 2018 17:05

foto sense plastic 2 Prizes were dispatched today to the Formentera schools taking part in a contest, Per a una natura sense plàstic, that reflects a dream of seeing a world in which nature is “plastic free”. The contest, which grows out of a partnership between the Formentera Council and Trasmapi, was open to first and second year students of the island's three public schools.

The contest seeks to promote, under the banner “You are an important part of change” (Tu ets important per al canvi), earth-smart recycling practices among young islanders to impact future generations' sense of urgency behind sustainable plastics use and wholesale reduction in everyday life.

Classroom clinics served as pupils' chance to learn about the environment and recycling. They drew in a special workbook and played Kahoot, a game which, to win, participants had to respond correctly to a series of ten questions about plastics.

Three collection bins installed across the island several months ago were relocated to the schools creating the possibility for school children to learn the ropes by using them for themselves.

The end of the contest dovetailed with the bins' rollout across the island and the swappable “eco-points” programme. In the months since it began, our wonder kids have recycled 15,818 plastic bottles and cans.

Quantity recycled (per bin):

• Sant Ferran (Carrer de Sant Jaume) – 4,274 recyclable containers (3,522 bottles/752 cans)
• El Pilar de la Mola – 2,780 recyclable containers (2,315 bottles/465 cans)
• Es Pujols (info stand) – 777 recyclable containers (608 bottles/169 cans)
• Sant Francesc (Eroski supermarket) – 2,270 recyclable containers (1,998 bottles/272 cans)
• Sant Francesc (CEIP Mestre Lluís Andreu) – 5,717 recyclable containers (5,014 bottles/703 cans)

Prizes

Schools were awarded the following prizes:

Most Recycled Material – Mestre Lluís Andreu (1ºB)
First Prize, Kahoot – La Mola
Second Prize, Kahoot – Mestre Lluís Andreu (2ºA)
Most Original Drawing – Sant Ferran (1ºA)
Most Be Blue Drawing – Mestre Lluís Andreu (2ºB)
Motivational Prize – Sant Ferran (1ºB)

The award for most recyclables collected overall went to Mestre Lluís Andreu.

Classes received prizes based on an array of environment-related and green awareness activities, like classes held aboard Trasmapi boats, a day dedicated to “recycling motivators”, a parent-child outing at sea and visits to the recycling plants of Formentera and Eivissa.

Formentera holds drawing for participants in 11th half-marathon and 8K run

Wednesday, 19 December 2018 18:00

foto places mitja marato 2018 2 The Formentera Council department of sport reports that the drawing overseen by local notary public Javier González Granado to determine spots in the island's XI Mitja Marató (“11th Half-marathon”) and 8K run took place on Wednesday.

Sport councillor Jordi Vidal described the raffle format as “the fairest way to make sure everyone who wants to run can do it”. Vidal said the 2019 runs, both scheduled for Saturday May 11, have already received participation requests from 4,693 runners.

Three-thousand spots
Officials drew 2,000 spots for the Half-marathon and half as many for the 8K run. Of the 4,693 obtained, 3,033 were for the Half-marathon and the other 1,660 for the 8K circuit. A computer programme generated the first number in the series used to calculate the participants in each event.

The drawing for Half-marathon runners started at 1,506, meaning any runners with numbers from 1,506 to 3,033 and 1 to 472 were awarded spots. The starting point for the drawing for the 8K run was 146, so winning participants were those with numbers between 146 and 1,145 inclusive.

Individuals whose numbers are among those selected have from December 21 to January 10 to confirm participation. If spots remain at this phase, a new series of numbers will be drawn picking up from where both drawings left off. The second round of drawings and subsequent confirmation will take place January 14 to 21, with additional drawings to follow as necessary. Updated dates will be posted to the CiF website and social media.

Runners exempt from drawing
Any runner who has competed in at least five editions of either run will receive what is termed a “direct spot” and be exempt from the drawing process. These individuals will be sent email instructions during pre-registration about accessing the platform for signups.

Formentera residents are exempt from the drawings as well. Islanders should complete their requests at the CiF sports department, or àrea d'Esports, where they will be given an access code for the registration page.

Fitness centre closes during Christmas holiday

Wednesday, 19 December 2018 11:29

foto-poliesportiu-2018 The Formentera Council department of sport announces that Poliesportiu Antoni Blanc and the swimming pool will close from Friday December 21 to Sunday January 6. The closure will not only give crews the chance to conduct maintenance and other operations that cannot be done when the centre is in use, but it will be used as time-off by staff.

Activities will pick up at the two facilities on Monday January 7. Timetables and details about classes being offered can be found here.

Formentera sees ban on excursions as essential part of 'Maritime Transport Act'

Wednesday, 19 December 2018 15:45

foto consell 2018 President Jaume Ferrer wishes to report that the Formentera Council has submitted representations concerning the regional government's proposed Decret de Transport Marítim, or “Maritime Transport Act” during the period for public hearings. According to the Council chair, the administration's greatest concern lay in “how the act deals with the issue of regular maritime transport” and maintains an “absolute embrace of its prohibition of single-day organised trips to Formentera”.

As part of the appeal, the administration lobbied for an act that includes “guaranteed Formentera-Eivissa ferry connections early in the morning and late at night, a ban on departure time overlap between transport companies and full accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility”.

Ferrer also highlights the administration's full support for the proposed ban on so-called excursions turístiques (“tourist excursions”) and confides that “any walking back of previous requests in that direction is not on the table”. In fact, the CiF chair maintained it was “crucial the Maritime Transport Act put an end to the current situation and offer solutions to the issues of overcrowding that plague the island in summer”. “Taking this act forward makes sense”, says the president, “because it tracks with Formentera's own legislation on environmental and financial sustainability which has already received approval in committee”.

Ferrer hopes the act will be operational before the close of this legislative term, and applauded the administration of Francina Armengol for honouring a three-year-old commitment —to put in place a system regulating entry and egress— which he described as “indispensable for Formentera”.

Father Christmas stops in on Formentera

Tuesday, 18 December 2018 14:06

img festa-pare-noel The Formentera Council's culture and festivities office reports from 5.30pm on Thursday December 20, the Sant Ferran festival tent will be the scene of a children's party and a visit from Pare Noel, aka Father Christmas. Young ones will be treated to entertainment by Piruleto and be able to entrust old Saint Nick with their holiday wish lists. Adults and kids alike will be able to try hot chocolate and sweet coca bread, both gluten- and lactose-free.