MEETING
CHALLENGES : February 2010
Statement on Orams case
Vice-Chairman Stephen Day
and Colin Mulcahy, Government Liaison Officer, have met with the
Presidency. The Society was given assurances that the validity of
all forms of title deeds will be honoured by the TRNC. Whilst unable
to give a blanket guarantee of compensation in every case, the
Presidency said that any future Orams style Greek Cypriot court
cases will be judged individually on their merits. Further contacts
with relevant Ministries and agencies are taking place. We also
understand that a ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
on the status of the TRNC’s Immovable Property Commission (IPC) is
expected by the summer, and the Presidency are optimistic of a
positive outcome. The IPC already has 400 claims before it and 86
have been settled.
A positive ECHR ruling
would make this the legitimate and most practical way of resolving
Greek Cypriot property claims. Further announcements will be made by
the BRS as we progress our efforts to protect expatriate interests.
Improving communication
The BRS has made great
advances this year in being responsive to members and improving
communications. Proxy voting at the next AGM, more contact points
for people to join, existing members to renew and seek advice, are
just some examples. Most innovative of all is the first use of SMS
texting on the 1st February. Our special thanks to Trish
Waddington and David Brown for making this possible. Over 300 new
members were advised of the forthcoming new members luncheon. 35
responded back within half an hour. Soon to follow will be the
regular emailing of members with information and details of our
activities. A survey of members asking them how they want to see BRS
funds allocated will be introduced at this years AGM. Expect to hear
regularly from your Society. The BRS is on the move.
BRS in
Karpaz grows
Membership and interest
in the BRS is growing throughout the Karpaz & Famagusta area. Thanks
must go to Karpaz representative Pamela Hedge for this. Up until
recently Pamela relied on a few dedicated helpers. Now a functioning
Karpaz BRS sub-committee is fully operational, working under the
direct supervision of the Society. People can see the Karpaz BRS at
Bogaz harbour on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon, and at Yeni
Erenkoy Tourist Office on Thursday mornings.
New BRS
officers
New Treasurer John
Wenborn is hard at work, improving our accounting procedures and
bringing great expertise to the role. Trish Waddington, our new
membership secretary has put massive effort into providing the BRS
with a comprehensive and updated data base, vital to improving our
communication with members. Margaret Sheard is bringing professional
standards to the role of BRS Secretary. Our thanks to all three for
stepping in to fill the vacancies caused by three of our experienced
and dedicated committee members sadly stepping down. Our thanks to
Brenda Green, Pat Holmes and John Wyn Roberts for their outstanding
past service.
BRS
Lambousa stall success
The availability of the
BRS to the expatriate community has been improved dramatically by
the efforts of Trevor Hughes with his stall at Chateaux Lambousa.
This has added greatly to the visibility of the BRS, supplementing
the services already provided through the BRS hut in Girne and the
stand at Pegasos. All three BRS contact points report growing
membership and renewals.
Join
the BRS
In these uncertain times
it is important that the expatriate community strengthens its voice
in the corridors of power. There is strength in numbers. If you are
not yet a member please consider joining us. The larger our
membership, the louder our voice. Right now, we need that voice more
than ever. Come and join us, you are more than welcome.
Future events:
Saturday 20/2/10: Blood
Donor Day, Girne
Saturday 27/2/10: New
Members Lunch: Pia Bella
Tuesday 9/3/10: Cypriot
Cooking demo by Zekia Altan with lunch, Nitovikla, Kumyali.
Saturday 17/4/10: AGM at
Pia Bella Hotel, Girne
Saturday 24/4/10: Blood
Donor Day Yeni Erenkoy
Thursday 6/5/10: “Truth
about the Cyprus problem” talk by Col. John Hughes-Wilson
The Cave, Nitovikla,
Kumyali.
Friday 18/6/10: Summer
Dance, Deniz Kizi Hotel
Friday 9/7/10: Sunset
cruise on African Queen, from Girme harbour
Friday 24/9/10: Supper by
the sea. Deniz Kizi Hotel
Thursday 28/10/10: Visit
to Karpaz
Other events to be
announced.
Contact us:
British Residents
Society, PO Box 167, Girne, Mersin 10, Turkey.
Website: www.brstrnc.com
Email:
info@brstrnc.com
Committee:
Chairman: Morton Coles
Vice-chairman: Stephen Day
Tel: 0392 821 1438 Tel:
0542 874 5667
Email:
lemons@kktc.net Email:
steveday@sunnycyprus.net
Secretary: Brenda Green
Govt. Liaison: Colin Mulcahy
Treasurer: John Wenborn
Publicity: John Oram
Membership: Trish
Waddington Pegasus Rep: Mike Maternaghan
Social events: Julia
Price Welfare: Prue Lundie
Sub-Committees:
Karpaz contact: Pamela
Hedge Welfare assistant: Karen Wenborn
Tel: 0542 889 2327
Chateaux Lambousa Rep:
Trevor Hughes