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LET’S get the BRS online. In future this newsletter can come to you by email so why not send your email address to info@brstrnc.com. For those without email, copies will be available from the BRS Hut (Sat) and Pegasos (Fri).

SINCE the last issue of the Newsletter we have had our AGM which, perhaps somewhat controversially for some members, has opened our doors to membership for expatriate holders of EU passports. I am sure the future will show both the benefit and the wisdom of this move and, on behalf of the Committee and myself, I extend a warm welcome to those European expatriates who have joined us.

Elsewhere in this Newsletter you can read of current initiatives and ongoing events the Society is undertaking but for my part I would like to draw your attention to the following:-

Renewal of Subscriptions – the date for renewal of subscriptions for 2007 is now about to expire. Can I please urge those members who may have been away or simply forgotten, to please put their hands in their pockets and do their bit to help keep the ship afloat financially.

The Health Discount scheme – although interest in this has been impressive (we have gone through three reprints of the details) actual take up has been disappointing to the point where we may be in danger of losing the scheme. The Cyprus Life Hospital has arranged an open day for BRS members on June 30 from 2pm to 4 pm. Again can I urge you to attend if at all possible (preferably with your cheque books in your pockets!) or alternatively contact Scott Kennedy (0533 845 7296) at F.M.A to join up.

Environmental Liaison Group – this is a group that had its origins at our 2006 AGM and which the BRS has undertaken to facilitate its actions in whatever way it can. Mike Haigh, its Chairman, has done sterling work in getting it off the ground as his report shows. If there are any of you out there who have any specialist skills that could be of help to Mike or simply have the desire to get involved please contact him. (Tel. No. 821 1898 or 0533 849161)

Finally, the Committee has been wrestling again with the perennial problem of how to keep in closer touch with the membership. One idea that has emerged is the possibility that we might form a Dining Club, meeting perhaps 5 or 6 times a year, where members could meet with myself and any other Committee Members who may be in attendance, over a meal and drinks to exchange ideas and information. Membership of the Club would be free – although the meal would not! – and open to all although attendance at any one meeting may have to be restricted to facilitate discussion. If anyone feels this may be a useful step to take and would like to participate, please contact me on 0533 865 6188.

The Society continues to be active in extending its contacts with both the Government of the TRNC and at the British High Commission. A special thank you is due to Claire Lawley the recently appointed First Secretary Consular at the High Commission who invariably provides us with excellent assistance when requested and keeps us informed of UK changes that may affect the members of the Society.
The Governments of both the TRNC and the UK appear to be following a similar policy of stricter enforcement of the Revenue and Tax laws. In the UK members should be aware of the targeting by the Revenue on interest earned on offshore accounts and the partial tax amnesty offered to holders of such accounts which is due to close on 22 June. Also the Revenue and Customs authorities will require declarations of funds taken out of or into the UK from non EEC countries - this includes the TRNC. Further information is available from our Web Site or by calling at the Hut on a Saturday morning

In the TRNC, Parliament has approved significant increases in the annual property tax and has taken steps to enforce the collection of existing tax laws as they relate to rental of properties and the importation of vehicles. Should you require further information your committee members will be pleased to assist. 

May I praise the immigration department in Lefkoşa now located in their new offices. Some of us remember the early morning starts and the hours spent queuing on the stairs of a dingy office block. Processing now takes on average 30 minutes - well done immigration. Mike Maternaghan coined the phrase 'Get Legal' when advising members to ensure their residency permits were up to date so no excuses now but no doubt there will still be complaints.

STUART BAIRD
GOVERNMENT LIAISON

AS REPORTED in Cyprus Today and on People & Places on BRT 2 May 9 saw 44 BRS members and their families embarking on a captivating 14-day tour to China.

As Napoleon Bonaparte said “China? There lies a sleeping giant. Let him sleep! For if he wakes he will move the world.”

As we found out on our travels, sleeping he is not. Having let the capitalist out of the bottle, the regime relies on nationalism to foster unity and very proud are the people and very keen to show you their country. The Olympic Stadium for example is finished 16 months ahead of schedule.

We visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing which was mind blowing in its size. The Great Wall at Badaling, which was fascinating to see and climb. The Terracotta Army at Xian with the vast underground vaults with the thousands of warriors in their formations was stupendous. Shanghai a city on the move literally as vast development is taking place.

However to me one of the greatest joys was to visit Suzhou, 90 minutes north of Shanghai. Suzhou boasts the prettiest women and certainly some of the greatest gardens in the world. We visited the vast Humble Ministers Garden with its intricate layout of rocks, plants and water and the smaller but equally beautiful Lingering Garden. Our time was much too short there and I strongly recommend that if you visit, linger at least two days to enjoy these tranquil places.

We travelled over 11,000 miles, took six flights, stayed in three hotels over the 14 days. 44 people out, 44 people back, 42 pieces of luggage out and 46 pieces back? All this was down to the excellent group, careful planning and the inscrutable organisation of the Chinese. Next year— there’s the rub, time to reflect and dream

ON July 7 Claire Lawley, the First Secretary Consular at The British High Commission and Roger Woods will be available for queries and advice at The BRS Hut, which is behind the Post Office in Girne, on Saturday from 11.00 am to 12 noon. 

September 13 sees us gathering for a Buffet on the Beach at Mosquito Beach Club. Starting at 7pm it features a three-course meal, coffee and brandy.  Members 25YTL, Non-members 30YTL. 

Mike and Mary Maternaghan will be taking a party to İstanbul between September 16 and 20. For further details contact Mike on 825 2031.

For a thespian evening with TheatreLambousa, join us on October 13 for a revue and dinner at Chateau Lambousa, Lapta. 

On October 30, we will be celebrating a lunch in honour of BRS Life Members, with a special celebration of the 100th birthday of Mrs Peggy McAlpine. More information nearer the date.

We hope to visit our friends in the Karpaz in November and are awaiting news on whether our usual Remembrance Day visit to Waynes Keep is taking place.

Christmas drinks in St Andrew’s Church Hall is planned for December 15.

Lunch in honour of BRS Life Members, with a special celebration of the 100th birthday of Mrs Peggy McAlpine.  Further details to follow

YOU may recall at the 2006 BRS AGM much concern was expressed about the problem of rubbish in North Cyprus. From that meeting the Environmental Liaison Group had its beginning. Since then the ELG has established a number of contacts which include experienced people both here and abroad with long experience who are able to advise on a variety of concerns relevant to the environment.

Some of our contacts are connected with the EU and ECMC (Environment Change Management Committee) in Lefkoşa which is harmonising TRNC and EU Environmental Law. We have the support of the British High Commission which hosted the launch of the Group.

Our first meeting with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was in June 2006, relating to Protected Areas.  We have contact with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources with whom we correspond and have meetings. We believe we can eventually achieve NGO status.

A Master Plan project for the management of all solid wastes in North Cyprus started on March 6 this year. It is funded by the European Commission (EC) and is managed through the European Union’s Programme Support Office, Lefkoşa. The objective is to improve the standards of solid waste management in the TRNC in compliance with the standards set by EU environmental legislation. Work is planned to be completed this autumn.

The TRNC government Environmental Policy Statement of February 15 2006, refers to the involvement of “stakeholders” and the Environmental Liaison Group as one such is working towards assisting with the above scheme and in other areas.

Our present activities include; promoting UK Coastal Management Degree Courses for Turkish Cypriot students, establishing a coastal Protected Area, a Civic Amenity for house holders’ excess waste, and advising on EU and TRNC Environmental Law. It should be noted that the ELG acts as a facilitator and is not a pressure group.

THE Environmental Liaison Group has been asked by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to ask the British expatriate community to conserve water.

In view of the statements appearing in the local press recently it seems that this is most necessary and no doubt we will “do our bit” without any urging.

However just as a matter of interest  - considering the whole island, 70 million m³ of groundwater flows to the sea yearly and 270 million m³ is either pumped out or comes from springs giving total extraction from the aquifers of 340 million m³/year. The annual aquifer recharge has been estimated at 300 million m³, so there would be up to 40 million m³/year of excess pumping over natural recharge. As a result, the total area of Cyprus is experiencing a gradual decline in groundwater, which lowers the water table.

As far as the TRNC is concerned apparently we face an annual deficit of fifteen million cubic metres over the next decade. So put a litre bottle of water in the loo tank, - every little helps!

AS from July 1, 2007, members can enjoy a 10% discount at The Field Village, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. The holiday resort is run by Ron Parker and his wife Jong.

Ron was a resident of the TRNC and used to own the Design by Nature shop near Pegasos Restaurant and used to winter in Thailand.

But the lure of their wonderful 800 square meter house on the edge of Chiang Mai and the doubling of their rent at the renewal of their lease to their shop here has led them to this next project. The Field Village is a boutique resort which is built in the rice fields next to their house. Accommodation is in traditional teak houses on stilts and has all modern comforts.

Although only just opened, some North Cypriot Residents have already been and some more have booked. You can contact Ron by email. www.thefieldvillage.com or info@thefieldvillage.com. In the near future the BRS will be extensively increasing the Discount Scheme so watch this space for details.

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