The Royal British Legion, Kyrenia Branch, are approaching a very busy time with the Poppy Appeal in sight, and we have received news of some of their forthcoming events in September.
We have also been advised that unfortunately the Poppy Ball which was due to be held on 2nd November at the Savoy Ottoman Palace Hotel, Girne, has been cancelled for this year.
Below are some of the RBL events for your diary.
1) The Royal British Legion Kyrenia Branch is hosting their Annual Alternative Fun Quiz and Stupid Bingo Night at the Fez Restaurant, Çatalköy on Thursday September 14 starting at 7:30pm. All proceeds will go to this year’s RBL Poppy Appeal. Tickets are 30TL and include a chicken & chips supper. They are on sale at Best Seller Bookshops in Karakum and Alsancak and also The Fez Restaurant. Or call Paul on 05338563891 or email: charitygala@rblkyrenia.com
2) Due to unforeseen circumstances, the RBL Theatre Players are sorry to announce the cancellation of their performance of The Three Musketeers on Wednesday 6 September at The Wild Duck Café in Lapta. Those with tickets for this performance will be offered alternative nights or a refund. The performances on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th September remain unaffected, and tickets for the Thursday performance are still available from the usual outlets and on the door. The RBL Theatre Players are sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment caused due to this cancellation.
3) 17 cyclists from the RBL Poppy Riders are finalising their preparations for the ‘Touch the Roof of Cyprus’ challenge which is scheduled to take place over 3 days between the 21 – 23 September. A daunting event will see the riders attempt to cycle to the top of Mount Olympus in the Troodos Mountains and the group have been in serious training 3 times a week since January having clocked up several thousand miles each in that time. Team leader Martin Derbyshire, who led the hugely successful tour around the island of Cyprus in 2016 which raised over £24,000 for the RBL Poppy Appeal, said: “This is a seriously difficult challenge that we have set ourselves and it has been a long, hot and difficult summer with far more hills having been scaled in training than last year. We are grateful for the sponsorship received in order to complete the event from; The George, Creditwest bank, the Wild Duck Café, the Olive Press Bowling Club, the Fly Inn, Ozzie’s Place, Montenegro C Bar and last but not least the Bellapais Gardens hotel. This has allowed us to purchase much needed clothing and equipment and also contributed to our accommodation bills and other running costs 
allowing us to concentrate fully on the task in hand.”
The team are scheduled to depart from The George in central Girne at 10am on Thursday 21 September riding to the foothills of the Troodos via the Bostanci crossing point and staying overnight in the village of Kakopetria. The next day sees the attempt to reach the summit just shy of a 13 miles continual uphill climb before returning to Kakopetria overnight, then returning to a grand finish at the Olive Press Bowling Club in Lapta at 2pm on Saturday 23 September. There are a limited amount of tickets for the post ride BBQ at 55tl available at the Club on a first come basis, but supporters are still encouraged to turn out for the post ride party whether eating or not with DJ Dave Mancini set to keep everyone rocking through the afternoon with fun and games until 7pm.
Mr Derbyshire continued: “I am extremely proud of the team’s dedication and efforts in 2017, the heat and wind do not lend themselves to easy cycling in Cyprus and when you take into account the average age of the team is in the early 60’s you can see why we are looking for the general public to sponsor us for the 2017 Poppy Appeal.
