By Alix Norman
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme may all be very well if you’re going to Scarborough Fair but, if you’re heading to Platres, you’ll be singing a different tune. Because with the opening of the Platres Lavender Farm, this is a place that’s all about the most wonderful, fragrant and useful of all the herbs. Lavender.
Prized for its properties for close on three millennia, lavender has long been a plant revered. The Phoenicians and peoples of Arabia valued the herb for its delightful aroma and medicinal properties, the ancient Greeks employed the oil as a cure for everything from insomnia to backaches, and even Cleopatra – according to legend – included lavender in her seduction rituals. Now grown all over the world, the plant originated in the Mediterranean. So it’s entirely appropriate that one of our villages should be on its way to becoming the lavender capital of the region. Thanks, in the main to the opening of the new Platres Lavender Farm…
Working in close cooperation with the Platres municipality, the Lavender Farm aims to revive the area’s long-lost reputation for this wonderful herb. Run by qualified clinical aromatherapist Susan Worwood and her husband Vasilious Firippis – both lavender-lovers and long-time residents of Cyprus – the farm is, after months of hard work, almost ready to open its doors to the public.
“This sort of venture takes a long time,” says Susan. “One of the first things we did was choose the land on which to grow our organic lavender, getting the Ministry of Agriculture to verify that there was adequate drainage, that the soil pH was appropriate and that there were no chemicals in the earth. At the same time, we’ve been renovating a local building, right next to the lavender fields, which will act as the Centre for the Farm. But we should be up and running by July, in time for the annual Aromatic and Healing Herbs of Cyprus Festival at the Platres cultural centre. In fact, it’s all coming together nicely, and the idea of Platres as the lavender village is really starting to take off.”
Back in May, Susan helped to organise a planting day, which saw volunteers from far and wide show up to help plant lavender around the village. “Loads of people came to help,” she says. “We had volunteers from Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paralimni helping us plant lavender all round the village. And all the local business-owners helped out, offering lavender specialties at their restaurants and cafes.”
Those who’ve lived in the region for many years, she adds, will recall Platres’ long association with the herb, and they’re very keen to get involved in the activities. “It’s particularly interesting to talk to the older ladies. They remember when lavender grew profusely all over the village, and know exactly how to care for the plants. In effect, we’re just bringing back something that was here before. It’s part of the village tradition.”
But helping out the local community is only a small part of Susan’s daily rounds. It’s the Farm itself which takes up much of her time, and it promises to be the highlight of any sightseer’s visit. Surrounded by fields of organic Lavandula angustifolia, the Farm Centre itself will house the lavender shop, apothecary and distillery, all of which are crucial to the venture. “The distillery,” says Susan, “will be where I distil my essential oils from our organic lavender and other local plants. The intention is to have all sorts of distillation units – from very small glass ones to the larger equipment I use on a daily basis – and visitors will be able to see and smell the process right in front of them.”
The resulting essential oils will then be used in one of two ways: in the products for sale, and in the treatment of those with particular ailments. “The shop,” says Susan, “will sell everything to do with lavender – essential oils, herbal teas, wheat bags and eye pillows, soya wax candles made with my lavender oil – while the apothecary will be the treatment centre, a place for healing. Lavender,” she notes, “is such an incredible herb. One of the only two essential oils that can be used neat on the skin, it’s effective at treating all sorts of things: cuts, bites, rheumatism, eczema, headaches, insomnia, inflammation, rashes, anxiety and even sunburn. We call it the grandmother of essential oils.”
The Farm will also be offering a number of workshops throughout the year; everything from soap making to lavender cultivation, aromatherapy to lavender crafts. “I want to be able to educate people in the natural methods of planting and cultivating lavender,” Susan continues, “especially children.” Which is why the highlight of any family visit to the Farm will probably be the Enchanted Fairy Forest, set in the valley at the bottom of the lavender fields. “I love fairies,” says Susan, “and I know there are lots of them living down there! You’ll be able to tell from their fairy houses and doors and trees, from all the fairy art they’ve made. And we’ll be celebrating them with all sorts of games and prizes, even special fairy birthday parties for our younger guests.”
By July, she concludes, everything at the Platres Lavender Farm will be in place. Ready, no doubt, to host what will quickly become a steady stream of lavender-loving visitors. “It was a big move to make,” says Susan, “but there’s such a great community up here, and we love being part of the lavender team. It’s fantastic to be included in the rebranding of Platres, knowing that the farm is part of a complete project that’s supported by the mayor and the council. And I really do love lavender.” And that’s the essence of it really: the love of lavender. Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme are all very well in their place, but nothing beats the miraculous scent – and properties – of home-grown, organic lavender.
Platres Lavender Farm
Opening to the general public in July. During the summer season, it will be open seven days a week, and entrance to the farm is free. For more information, contact Susan Worwood on 99 956557, email [email protected], visit www.platreslavender.com or the Facebook page ‘Platres Lavender Farm’
