British High Commission Talk Mon 23rd March (Lapta)

[Jonesy299]

The Royal British Legion Kyrenia Branch is holding its bi-monthly Branch Meeting Mon 23rd March at the North Shield Bar (Chateau Lambousa) beginning at 7pm.
On completion of formal proceedings Mrs Christina Smith, Vice Consul to the British High Commission, has been invited to give a talk on the role of the BHC in relation to UK visitors and residents (including the TRNC). This is a good opportunity for members to engage with RBL business and get important updates and for potential members to see what we do. It is also a chance to listen to an interesting talk (no doubt followed by a lively Q&A session) whilst enjoying a drink at the bar. Members and non-members are welcome.

[waddo]

Wonderful, I do hope that Mrs Christina Smith gets her passport checked and scanned by the obnoxious Greek police on the way back across! But then a CD plate often overcomes such minor difficulties in life.

[meldy]

Waddo, will she be crossing? The BHC is in the north.

[tomsteel]

meldy, I think you'll find her residence will be in the RoC, and paid for by UK tax payers, plus her perks, albeit there is a part, part time office in the TRNC controlled area of Lefkoşa. As her presentation is after the 1900 hrs start of the RBL bi-monthly meeting, I doubt she will leave from the office to attend, ergo she'll pass through a crossing point with her security detail in tow. I wonder what questions she'll actually be prepared to answer truthfully and frankly? What real purpose does the BHC actually serve to UK expats here? I'm not usually cynical, but if the UK Government needs to save money - cut this luxury, which produces nothing of real value.

[Jonesy299]

Come along to the meeting and listen to the talk and pose your questions - that's why this event has been arranged.

[karmels]

meldy.
The BHC in the North is a lock up, it has a UK caretaker who opens up every morning at 06.30 for the staff. The main BHC is not far from the Ledra crossing, if you turn right when you have cleared the border it is up this road which also goes to Central Prison.

[Jonesy299]

Don't forget to put a reminder in your diary about the RBL Kyrenia Branch Meeting - and a chance to get an update from the British High Commission. Have a drink at the Chateau Lambousa's North Shield Pub and meet some new friends / old friends and listen to a presentation that may be of use (and a chance to ask questions).

[waddo]

karmels, Are you saying that the normal BHC we used to be able to use at the end of the Deraboya is now shut down and everyone has left for the sunny shores of the RoC?

If so then it means if you have no valid passport there is no way to cross over to contact the BHC to get a travel document or any other help then. Good of them to tell us that they pulled the plug!!! The Empire crumbles..........

[karmels]

waddo.

No, I was answering a statement that the BHC in the north was not the main BHC. The one in Shakespear Ave is a lock up and always has been since 1974 when it was then the main BHC in Cyprus. I used to work at the BHC in the North, the caretaker is always a retired UK civil servant who lives in, he opens the place in the mornings and closes at aprox 14.30 in the afternoon. There are no BHC staff live in.
The main BHC in the South has a security guard at night were Shakespear Ave does not.

[waddo]

So the one in Shakespear is just an empty house that is tended to by odd staff then? Have been there to two different Band Concert nights and know the guy who seems to organise the running of them but did not know that nobody worked there!!!

[karmels]

That,s correct waddo, the main building used to issue passports and issue visas until they built the annex that we use today.

[Jonesy299]

Don't forget to put this date in your diary and hopefully listen to an interesting update from Christina Smith PLUS come along and see what your local Royal British Legion have planned for this year. Come and have a drink and meet some new friends if you are newbies... and come along and take part if you are a member (and have your say).

[Jonesy299]

Don't forget to put this meeting and talk in your diary - even it not currently a RBL member why not come along and enjoy the event (no pressure!!)

[Jonesy299]

BHC Vice-Consul Christina Smith attended the RBL Committee meeting yesterday and gave us a flavour for the relationship being developed between the British High Commission and UK nationals based in North Cyprus - lots of interesting stuff will be covered during her presentation Mon 23rd March - she may have some breaking news on the UK NHS availability to North Cyprus residents so plenty of local interest.
Why not come along and put your questions to her - both RBL members and non-members are actively invited to attend.

[3dognight]

Hi Jonesy 299, are you saying that non-members are able to attend the RBL Branch Meeting, as well as attend the talk afterwards?

[Jonesy299]

Yes - the RBL Branch Meeting event is open to all as it may encourage new members and you meet old friends / make new ones plus the talks are meant to be of general interest - a talk by the BHC is bound to be of interest and is definitely worth attending. See you there!

[Dalartokat]

BHC Vice-Consul Christina Smith attended the RBL Committee meeting yesterday and gave us a flavour for the relationship being developed between the British High Commission and UK nationals based in North Cyprus - lots of interesting stuff will be covered during her presentation Mon 23rd March - she may have some breaking news on the UK NHS availability to North Cyprus residents so plenty of local interest.
Why not come along and put your questions to her - both RBL members and non-members are actively invited to attend.

Is anyone going to share the "breaking news on the UK NHS availability to North Cyprus residents" from this meeting and any other snippets from the presentation by Christina Smith?