Category Archives: Things to see and do

A good day for Villa Ada

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Villa Ada was opened to the public yesterday. Walking up the renewed road to the Villa revealed the beginnings of the renovation of the garden. The trees are thriving.


The old wisteria tunnel is coming back to life.

Villa Ada is looking good.

A good crowd gathered.

The ribbon was put in place.

The gathered crowd moved inside to listen to the speakers.

 

The officials assembled to cut the ribbon.

The ribbon was cut.

I had a brief look into one of the rooms.

I look forward to seeing it when it has progressed further.

Rita Gualtieri, who has been instrumental in the project for years, says that there will be co-working spaces open to the community, including students. It will be a functional space for all. With internet connection students will have access to training tools and remote work. Adults will find areas of gathering to socio-cultural initiatives.

Congratulations to all involved in this work. The newly revived  Villa Ada is a good addition to the Bagni di Lucca community.

 

Villa Ada opens

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The restored ground floor and garden of Villa Ada will be open to the public to view on Saturday 30th May at 10.00.

Villa Ada is at the end of Via Angelina Whipple in Bagni di Lucca Villa. The ribbon will be cut at 10.30 to open the house and visits will be allowed. Refreshments will be served.

It will be excellent to see one of Bagni di Lucca’s historic houses restored.

Villa Ada is a 16th century estate originally owned by the De Nobili family. It was modernised in the 19th century by British Consul Sir Mac Bean, who added its hexagonal towers. It became community property in 1975.

 

 

New park dedicated to Mario Lena

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A new public park has been opened behind the Palazzo Comunale di Bagni di Lucca. It is a green, open space, with paths leading to the Lima River. The park is designed as a space where people can relax, socialise and will also host cultural activities.

The park is dedicated to Mario Lena, a teacher, poet and mayor of Bagni di Lucca for 10 years, between 1960 and 1970, a crucial time in the modern development of the town.

He was born in Bagni di Lucca on 31st August 1925 and died on 27th January 2023. He was a well known and loved member of the Bagni di Lucca community.

The park was made possible thanks to the contribution of the Fondazione di  Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca and the Municipality of Bagni di Lucca.

I arrived early and grabbed a seat before a large crowd gathered.

The ribbon was cut to officially open the new park.

The mayor spoke to welcome everybody and declared the park open.
Then Priscilla Valentino addressed the group of school children in the audience to tell them about Mario Lena. It is important that his legacy is kept alive. Signore Lena’s two sons were in the audience.

There was a performance by the Kokopelli Association, with Maria Delores Diaz and Roberto Ragghianti, inspired by the relationship between man and nature.

I walked to the end of the park to the path to the river. Young trees have been planted in groups. They will soon grow and provide shade.

The sign naming the park was unveiled.

A small Bagni di Lucca resident watched the proceedings.

The Parco Mario Lena is a welcome addition to Bagni di Lucca. Access to the park is via a small lane beside the Palazza Comunale.

On my way home I ran into a resident I know, who was taught by Mario Lena as a child. He told me he was an inspirational teacher loved by his students. He also praised his time as mayor.

I remember a distinguished, gentle man I often met at our local bar in the morning. It was always a pleasure to speak with Mario.

It is fitting that this special man now has a permanent place in his town where he can be remembered.

 

Saint Zita flower festival

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The annual Saint Zita flower festival is on from today, 23rd April until 27th April in Lucca.

The piazza in front of San Frediano church will be filled with floral displays and the Anfiteatro will have flowers on display and for sale by local nurseries.

Here are some photos from previous years. It is a lovely time to be in Lucca.


A wonderful gift for Bagni di Lucca

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Two delightful newcomers to Bagni di Lucca have given a wonderful gift to the community. David Gebhart and Frederick Rayner, the new owners of Villa Elena have donated a grand piano, which will now be housed in the casino, where everyone will have the chance to see and hear it.

The mayor was at the casino to accept the gift on behalf of the community.

There is a lovely story attached to the piano. David’s grandmother, Lula Ethel Aubrey, wanted David to learn to play the piano, so she paid for lessons for him from the age of 5 to 16.

She also knew he would like a piano of his own, so she paid a large deposit for a grand piano for him 40 years ago. Soon after making the down payment she passed away and David had to continue. He did so within 2 years.

David and Frederick had planned to keep their Dallas apartment and the piano was to be left there. A change of mind meant the apartment was sold, and, as they already had a piano in the new house, something had to be done with David’s piano.

They generously decided to donate it to their new community and the casino was chosen as the best place for it to be, where it could be enjoyed by everyone.

David and Frederick have also contributed to the community with the amazing restoration of Villa Elena, one of Bagni di Lucca’s grand houses. I’m sure it looks better now than it ever did. The work has taken a couple of years, providing work for many local trades people and local suppliers. They are a welcome addition to Bagni di Lucca.

Thank you David and Frederick.