The Royal British Legion will have a huge presence in the TRNC in the coming weeks as the 2016 Poppy Appeal kicks off in earnest on Thursday 27th October in line with other RBL branches worldwide. The appeal, the branch’s biggest fundraising campaign of the year, covers the period of remembrance and lasts until the day after Remembrance Sunday which this year falls on Sunday 13 November. 
Members of the public wear the paper poppy on their chest as a symbol of Remembrance: to remember the fallen Servicemen and women killed in conflict. Full lists of the planned activities for this year’s Poppy Appeal period is outlined below, but please especially note the alterations to this year’s Poppy Ball entertainment:
Thursday 27 October – Official Poppy Appeal launch in Girne town centre outside the Belediye office where our branch Poppy Appeal officer Adele Thomas will be present with several other ladies to offer you the first chance to purchase your 2016 poppy. The stall will be manned between 11am – 3pm so please stop and say hello.
Thursday 27 October – An ‘Alternative Quiz’ night at the Fez Restaurant in Çatalköy will be held to celebrate the Poppy Appeal from 7.30pm onwards and is limited to 80 entrants. This popular event sells out every year due to the madness and 
mayhem of the quiz presented by Steve Jones. Tickets are on sale at the Fez and Best Seller Bookshops (Karakum & Alsancak) or can be ordered by emailing: charitygala@rblkyrenia.com or by ringing Paul on 0533 856 3891. The ticket price of 30TL includes a chicken & chips supper plus your donation to the appeal. A 34 seater coach has been arranged for west side travellers, just contact Brian (0533 8411 882) to book a seat for 15TL.
Saturday 29 October – This year’s ever popular Poppy Walk will take place at the usual venue of JK’s Bar in Lapta. Registration is on the day only and commences from 9.30am. The 10km walk starts at 10.45am with the 5km walk stepping off at 11am. The route is away from the main road, flat, scenic and bracing so get you’re walking boots on and join the throng. Entry is 15TL and there will be bar snacks and drinks available as well as live music from DJ Pete Murray.
Thursday 3 November – a second Poppy Appeal launch in Girne town centre outside the Belediye office where our branch Poppy Appeal officer Adele Thomas will again be present with several other ladies to offer you another chance to purchase your 2016 poppy. The stall will be manned between 11am – 3pm so please stop and say hello.
Friday 11 November – The Annual Poppy Ball will take place at the Savoy Ottoman Palace hotel in Girne with pre-dinner cocktails on the pool terrace from 6.30pm. This is the premier event of the year for the branch and all branch members and guests are encouraged to attend. Heeding last year’s feedback there is a totally revamped menu and following the withdrawal of Tuxedo Junction 2 first class acts have been booked; Gareth Severn, who is an extremely popular professional tribute act in both the north and south of the island. 
His energetic acts include tributes to Robbie Williams, Frank Sinatra and Ska. He also provides an ‘Iconic’ tribute show that covers classics from Sinatra to Queen, Dr Hook to Pink Floyd etc. Gareth will provide background music as guests take their seats, a gentle music set during dinner, and 50 minutes of his ‘Iconic’ act before the Ersen Sururi band takes over. They are a 5 piece brass/jazz group drawn from all over the TRNC with a lively singer in accompaniment who is guaranteed to get you on the dance floor. So get your glad rags on for this black tie event and book as soon as possible; £40 (or 160TL) for members and £45 (180TL) for non-members which includes a 3 course dinner and unlimited premium drinks. There are fantastic prizes to be won in the speedy auction and money box..Tickets only available from the Saturday morning RBL stall or the 2 Bestseller Bookshops (Karakum and Alsancak). For enquiries only phone Racheal on 0533 883 8166 or email: teamlyes@gmail.com
Sunday 13 November – The annual Remembrance Sunday service will be held at the old British cemetery in Girne conducted by the RBL Kyrenia Branch Chaplain, Reverend Wendy Hough, and will commence at 12.40pm. Seating is available but will be limited due to priority being given to UK based Cyprus veterans and wreath layers in the first 3 rows. Members and guests are encouraged to wear regimental accoutrements, ties etc. This year we have 46 UK based Cyprus veterans booked in for the weekend which is an amazing turnout.
Sunday 13 November – the Post -Remembrance Service lunch will once again be held at the Ship Inn, Karaoğlanoğlu, between 2pm – 5pm. Tickets are limited to 175 due to spacing and can be purchased at the RBL Saturday stall, the Bestseller Bookshop Alsancak, and the Çatalköy branch of Creditwest bank every Thursday between 11am – 12.30pm. Tickets are 45TL and include a 3 course lunch. There will be a 20% discount on beverages at the bar. For more details contact the Branch secretary Pamela Padden on 0533 873 6876. Edward Barrett and Mike Ennis will be on hand to orchestrate the old time music.
