Dear Members
Although I have been
Treasurer of the BRS for the last two years I feel I should
introduce myself, and perhaps fill in a little background
information as your new Chairman.
My husband Morton and I
first came to the TRNC for a holiday in 1995 and found this to be a
very relaxing and welcoming place to visit. Over the next few years
we came more and more frequently and eventually purchased land and
built our first house here in 2000.
We sold both our
businesses and retired here in 2004.
Many of you will know or
remember Brian Balls, the owner of the Green Jacket bookshop, and in
2006 with Brian’s retirement and subsequent return to the UK were
able to purchase his lovely home in Lapta. We have spent the last
two years renovating the property and thankfully Brian was able to
see the completed project shortly before his sad death earlier this
year. We feel very lucky to live in such a lovely place surrounded
by so many kind and helpful locals who make us feel so welcome in
their beautiful country.
My career background has
always been in the fields of taxation and accountancy, having
started my working life with the Inland Revenue. I did however
change sides and worked for both Deloitte and Grant Thornton before
setting up my own taxation and accountancy practice in Derbyshire.
It is an honour to be
elected Chairman of the Society and hope that I can repay your trust
in me over the next year.
My first duty on taking
up my role, certainly not one for which I would have wished, was to
attend the funeral of Alan Aldridge. Alan had to resign as Chairman
last year as a result of his health. Alan was a truly kind and
dedicated man, and is missed by all who knew him. He was an
inspirational source of guidance and wise council to me and I miss
his happy smiling and fun loving presence at our Committee meetings.
On a much happier note a
few weeks after the AGM I was privileged to welcome our 1000th
and 1001st members for the year, Mr and Mrs Martin
Banasko from Merseyside. The Society was created in 1975 and
membership has increased steadily over the years and has been
hovering just below the magical 1000. It was wonderful to be able to
be involved in welcoming Martin and his wife on board. I am pleased
to say that each week at both Pegasos and the ‘Hut’ we are still
signing up new members.
Please come and meet the
team at either Pegasos on a Friday or at the ‘Hut’ on a Saturday. We
are always happy to meet our members and to assist if we possibly
can with any of your queries. I cannot promise to be at both venues
every week but do try to get to both most weeks and would like to
meet as many of you, both old and new, as I can during the coming
year.
Yours
Eleanor Coles
