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BRITISH
RESIDENTS SOCIETY
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT 2009 - 2010
Following the tragic events and
difficulties of 2008-2009 this year has been one of development
and expansion for the BRS. Our membership has topped 1300 and
continues to grow helped by the establishment of a subcommittee
in the Karpaz, organised by Pamela Hedge with assistance from
Michael Hedge, Dave Eacock, Gary Jones, Yvonne Veasey and
others. Weekly surgeries are held on Saturday at Boĝaz and Yeni
Erenkőy on Thursday.
Trevor Hughes has established a
most successful BRS presence every Saturday at Chateau Lambousa
and in 2010 it is intended to add further points on which Terry
Hill and Chris Elliot are working.
The year started with a need to
address several issues. Meetings were held with Peyman, the
President’s office and representations made to the Attorney
General re the problem caused by the lack of a law permitting
changes to the Constitution. I am pleased to report that we have
now had confirmation that we can progress on the basis of the
2007 constitution and later I hope you will adopt some changes
to facilitate future progress.
The change of Government meant
completely renewing our contacts and Colin Mulcahy, our
Government Liason Officer, Stephen and I had frequent visits to
Lefkoşa. Good links have been established and, as we also
maintained close contact with the Presidency. Whoever wins the
election on Sunday our concerns will be listened to.
Liason was also maintained with
the BHC and UKCA in the South, with Embargoed and with the
Beşparmak group. Present with us today are Ertoĝrel and Doĝruen,
members of the BRS and also of the Association of Turkish
Cypriots Abroad with whom we want to build relations.
Through the generosity of an
anonymous benefactor we were able to engage Professor Tolman to
intervene in the Orams case and although ultimately it did not
influence the outcome it gained the BRS respect and highlighted
the need for a better method of solving the property issue which
we now have following the ECHR ruling on the IPC.
In response to members’ requests
we introduced comprehensive Health and Travel Insurance schemes
which are proving popular and Chris Elliott has been busy
expanding the Discount List. It is genuinely possible to save
large amounts so please do use it. The latest version is
available here today and also on line.
During the year David Brown has
worked hard on the software running our Database, web site and
communications and is now in the final stages of implementation
which will, among other things, enable members to renew on line.
We have received excellent
coverage in the press this year and Stephen has also been active
on TV and radio.
Although we did not have a major
fund raising project in 2009 we have continued to support the
Turtle Project and we were able to refit the blood bank
facility. Our continued support of the blood bank enabled 250
units of blood to be donated and Karen Wenborn has been of
tremendous help to Prue Lundie in tracking down blood needed in
emergencies. Prue has also had translated the complete
Government price list of all medical and dental procedures and
this is available for reference by members in the Hut.
The usual variety of social events
were held, all of them sell outs, and Julia Price and John Oram
are working on introducing new activities and venues assisted by
Terry Hill. Look out for the BRS darts and dominoes team!
Today we are trialling proxy
voting for the first time and you will also find questionnaires
which I hope you will use to give feed back to the committee so
the BRS is truly your society.
During the year Pat Holmes and
Brenda Green stood down from the committee. Both of them have
given many years of service to the BRS and in recognition of
that the committee have made them Honorary Life members. I would
also like to present them with a token of thanks, so please come
up ladies!
John Wyn Roberts who was elected
last year also had to stand down due to ill health and with
three vacancies we advertised and held an open evening. This was
well attended by volunteers wanting to help the BRS and as a
result Margaret Sheard was co opted as Secretary and has brought
the benefit of her vast experience to the committee and Trish
Waddington was co opted as Membership Secretary. She has worked
tirelessly to ensure the introduction of the new database and
SMS/email system.
John Wenborn replaced John Wyn
Roberts and John Oram as Treasurer and has made great
improvements to the accounting and reporting systems. He will
present the fruits of his labours shortly. The open evening also
found David Brown who I have already said is doing a lot of work
for us and I am delighted that he is standing for the committee.
I have a very sad announcement to
make and that is that the current vacancy on the committee has
been caused by the resignation of our past Chairman Mike
Maternaghan due to the serious illness of his wife Mary. He has
been a tremendous source of help and encouragement to me and
will be sadly missed. I am sure you will be pleased that the
committee have decided to make him an Honorary Life Member.
I would like to make special
reference to my deputy Chairman Stephen Day. I have enjoyed
working with him and his experience has been of immense value to
the Society.
Looking now to the year ahead the
treasurer has devised a legacy scheme which has been approved by
our Legal Advisor and this will enable members to make either
Pecuniary or Residuary legacies to the Society. Details are
available today from John Wenborn.
We have wanted for some time to
improve the facilities provided for members and Altinkaya have
just offered us accommodation to provide a Social Club. This
will fit with work Terry and Chris are doing and details will be
announced shortly.
Finally with the Presidential
Elections on Sunday and the ongoing talks re unification there
is going to be an important role for the BRS to fill in ensuring
the interests of ex-pats are fully represented.
If you have any questions for me,
Colin Mulcahy or Stephen Day we will be pleased to answer them.
Thank you.
Morton Coles |
