From left to right

Tim Morgan-Vice-Chair of ATA, Hasan Cadiş -Technician, Ahmet Sakinoğlu – Director of the Lapta Old People’s Home,                      

ATA members Hatice Kerimgil, Mandy and Norman Norton ,

The Anglo-Turkish Association is continuing to help its ‘Good Causes’. This time they donated a hoist to the Lapta Old People’s Home. ATA Vice Chair Tim Morgan, and members Hatice Kerimgil, Mandy and Norman Norton visited the Home to meet the staff and residents as well as to look around the Home and donate a much needed hoist. 

The Director Ahmet Sakinoğlu greeted the group, showed them around and gave information about the Home. The home is the only State Old People’s Home in the TRNC and is under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour  and Social Security and is frequently inspected by the Department of Social Security 

As well as the Director there are three nurses, one physiotherapist, eight carers, three kitchen staff, four cleaners, one technician, one person in charge of the depo, one gardener and three security guards. The home has newly installed security cameras which record pictures and sound continually, making the Home very secure. 

A dietician not only prepares a general menu for the residents each week, they also take into account special dietry needs. The meals are then prepared and cooked in the Home’s kitchen.

The staff work on a rota basıs and there is always one nurse and two carers on duty who administer medication and look after all the residents needs.

There are twenty three residents at the moment, three of whom are younger residents with special needs, who will soon be transferring to a specialised facility.  

Each resident has their own room with a bathroom, air-conditioner and television. The mens and womens rooms are separated with the exception of married couples. 

There is a common room where the residents can have their meals and watch TV. There are also rooms for the nurse and physiotherapist and a staff room where those on duty over night can rest. The residents have access to a craft room where The home though funded by the State is always open to donations of all sorts. 

Many of the residents have mobility issues so need support and some are fully bed ridden for various reasons. The directorthanked the ATA for their much needed donation and said that the hoist will be of enormous benefit to the Home as it will now be much easier for carers to look after those who are bed ridden and will also be more comfortable for the residents. It will also mean bed ridden residents will be able to go outside. 

ATA member and former nurse Mandy Norton said that the Home had a very relaxed feel and the residents looked relaxed, happy and well cared for. She said she was impressed with the way the staff ensured that the medical and other needs of the residents were met and the way the staff were looking to access modern equipment in order to provide the best care they can for the residents.

Tim Morgan Vice Chair of the ATA expressed his pleasure at continuing to find and give to local’ Good Causes’ and said that the hoist would be well used by a number of  residents to both make their lives and the lives of the carers better. 

Although to home is provided with everything it needs they always welcome support from the community. Members of the public wishing to donate to the Old People’s Home or other institutions supported by the ATA, should get in touch with the ATA. 

ATA Contact details:

Web Page : www.angloturkishassociation.com

E.Mail : angloturkishassociation@gmail.com

Phone : Tim Morgan – Treasurer: 0533 864 9192 

See our facebook page for more pictures

Please note our membership clinic at the Olive Press this Saturday (7th February) will be for one hour only between 09:30 and 10:30.

Also the clinic at DenizBank, Girne will reduce from two a month to one a month being held on the first Wednesday of each month between 10.30 and 12 noon. This takes place with immediate effect and the next clinic will be Wednesday 4th March.

Please see our website for more details:

February’s social gathering will be a Turkish Breakfast at The Green House Restaurant, Küçükerenköy. 

In an enviable position on the main Girne – Tatlısu road, The Green House is part of the Royal Green Garden Centre. The restaurant offers a range of European and Turkish dishes, but the Turkish breakfast, or ‘serpme kahvaltı’, is a speciality! 

After the breakfast, the manager of the garden centre will show us round and talk about gardening in the TRNC, and will also be available to answer questions.

Location: The Green House Restaurant, Küçükerenköy. 

Date: Saturday 28 February 

Time: 10.30 for an 11.00 start.

Price: 700TL for members, 800TL for non-members

 *Price includes a donation to ATA charities.

If you would like to attend, please reply to:

events.ata.trnc@gmail.com

Please include your name and any the names of othersattending with you, **and a phone number**. 

CAR SHARING: Please indicate if you intend to drive to this social gathering by car, and would be prepared to offer a lift to a person who cannot drive but would like to attend this social gathering (state how many people you could offer a lift to and where you live).

Many Thanks

Please note we have been advised by PrimeMed (Dr Turk) that his discount for ATA members will now be 10% with immediate effect. Please see our website for this and any other updates: https://angloturkishassociation.com/discounts/

The Vakıflar Wheelchair Basketball Team which is supportedby the ATA is playing Türkiye’s Kocaeli Spor in the 6th weekof the Türkiye Wheelchair Basketball League 1 .

The team has won four out of the past five matches and aretop of the league.

The match will be played at 12.00 on Saturday 31st January2026 at the Lefkoşa Atatürk Spor Salon. 

The match will also be broadcast live on BRT-2.

The team has announced that everyone in the TRNC is welcome to this free match

Back By Popular Demand! The Kyrenia Ship II

The ATA is extremely fortunate to host, for the second time, one of the original dive team, Owen Gander, who will give guided visit, talking about the Kyrenia sunken ship, and the dive. It will be held in the dedicated museum in Kyrenia Castle.

The second visit will take place on Thursday the 12th of March at 2.00 p.m. meeting at the Ticket Office. The price will be 200 TL, which will include the 50 TL for access to the whole castle for those who would like to take advantage of the visit.

There is very limited parking in the immediate area of the castle, but the main Girne municipal car park is close by, obviously car-sharing is important where possible. It is anticipated that there will be groups of people going for coffee/drinks in and around the harbour area after the visit if you wish to do so.

Spaces are very limited so, if you would like to attend, please reply to:

events.ata.trnc@gmail.com

This includes people who are on the stand-by list; even though your place is reserved, you must re-confirm your attendance.

Please include your name and any names of others attending with you, **and a phone number**.

CAR SHARING: Please indicate if you intend to drive to this social gathering by car, and would be prepared to offer a lift to a person who cannot drive but would like to attend this social gathering (state how many people you could offer a lift to and where you live).

Many Thanks

With effect from 28 January, we will be holding a new Membership Clinic on the last Wednesday of each month, from 10:30 to 11:30, at Tim’s Café, Ozanköy (opposite Erdener Supermarket).
✅ Join as a new member or renew your membership
⏳ One- or two-year options available
💳 100 lira per year
We look forward to seeing you!

January Social Gathering

Please book through events.ata.trnc@gmail.com

The ATA is delighted to be returning to The Green Lotus for an early dinner featuring the Chinese Sunday Lunch menu. This follows our previous well-received visit there!

The meal will start at 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday 28th January 2026 

This event offers excellent value — enjoy a three-course meal for just 1050TL which includes a donation to the ATA.

The menu will be:

STARTER

A selection of 7 starters including:

• Crispy Duck Roll
• Spring Roll
• Sushi
• Their delicious Asian salad 

For vegetarians there are separate starters including:

• Sichuan tofu
• Seaweed salad

MAIN COURSE

A choice of:

• Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Chilli Pork
• Chicken Curry
• Beef in Black Bean
• Chicken with Ginger and Garlic
• Black Mushrooms and Broccoli

• Accompanied by Egg Rice and Steamed Rice

When booking please state if you wish to opt for the vegetarian option and which main course you would like.

Please state your name and other names of guests who will be joining you. Also a telephone number so that we can contact you.  Places are limited so early responses are welcome!

CAR SHARING: Please indicate if you intend to drive to this social gathering by car, and would be prepared to offer a lift to a person who cannot drive but would like to attend this social gathering (state how many people you could offer a lift to and where you live).

PLEASE NOTE: should you book to attend this social gathering and subsequently cancel after the advertised cut-off date for the social gathering, YOU are liable for the full payment price of the social gathering, which is to be paid at the associations next membership clinic. We will not accept bookings from those who persistently cancel. 

YOUR ATA NEEDS YOU!

The ATA is a totally voluntary organisation benefitting local good causes. It thrives because of the work our volunteers do.

If you enjoy the visits, talks, walks, social meals and discounts we need your help.

Currently, we need someone to learn to use SendPulse mail to send  out bulk emails. (Tim says it is simple!)

Could you help manage the discount providers list ?

Have you any ideas of restaurants who could host future 28th meals?

All of these roles would be shared with others. You don’t need to be on the island full times. “Swallows” we need you too!

If you want to know more, please let us know as soon as possible. 

Reply to this or chat to other volunteers at an event or clinic.

The concert @ St Andrews church raised 12,600 TL for the Anglo-Turkish Association North Cyprus. Follow the link for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17SUQr3NbV/?

Make a note of these events.

15th January – 2pm  Visit to Sunken Boat with Owen Gander. In the late 1960s, Owen was one of the original team of divers who raised this cargo ship. It is the oldest known merchant ship. We will have access to artifacts not on public display.

28th January, Social Gathering – Green Lotus, Alsancak. Chinese meal

9th February Chris Lightfoot’s talk “Musings of a Metropolitan Museum Curator” a light hearted view and not to be missed.

28th February Visit to Bandabulya for tasting. The Girne Bandabulya should be reopened as a market for women’s cooperatives.  We plan a tasting or  meal in the area.

March TBA Dr Robin Snape on SPOT. The talk will cover the history, the current project and its place in Mediterranean and international context.

28th March Social Gathering Meal We are looking for suggestions from members

Full details to follow on each in the new year.

Responses and queries to: events.ata.trnc@gmail.com

Follow the facebook link to see photos

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D458AWpcu/?

Due to unforeseen circumstances the membership clinic scheduled Tuesday 25th November at The Greenhouse are & Restaurant in Kucuk Erenkoy will not go ahead. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused

If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2025 you can do so at any of our social gatherings and other clinic times can be found on our website:

Thank you for your understanding