Sadly due to other commitments, we were not able to attend this year’s Army Benevolent Fund Charity Concert at Shakespeare House in Nicosia on Friday 17th May but our friend Richard Chamberlain attended and he shared his thoughts and photos of this wonderful evening in an article click here.
This event proved to be a resounding success and the organiser Jonny Kay had the following to say about the event he had organised and the pictures shown are courtesy of Richard Chamberlain.
The concert was attended by over 400 British Expats from both North and South Cyprus, and was host to over 13 Nationalities and around 50 serving members of the United Nations including the UN Force Commander Maj Gen Cheryl Pearce AM – making it a truly International event.
The Concert hosted over 25 VIPs from the world of politics, the British Armed Forces, the business world and other Embassies.
The Akrotiri Military Wives Choir
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force
Maj Gen James Illingworth & Bob Howard
The event was also attended by Mr Bob Howard – A WW2 D Day veteran who was presented with a plaque by the Commander of the British Forces in Cyprus Maj Gen James Illingworth.
The Defence Advisor of the British High Commission Nicosia, Colonel Martyn Forgrave read out a brief history of Bob’s Army career.
The event was hosted by Jonny Kay the event organiser who was assisted by a small but important number of volunteers.
The British High Commissioner Mr Stephen Lillie CMG gave a small welcome and thank you speech to everyone supporting the event.
This Year for the time in the concerts history the event was generously sponsored by both Turk Bank Nicosia and Mr Sabri Abit of Bellapais Gardens Restaurant and Hotel. Turk Banks Chairman Mr Hakan Bortecene and General Manager Mr Erhan Raif both attended the event as guests of the British High Commissioner Mr Stephen Lillie CMG
An auction was hosted by Mr Steve Jones who managed to whip the guests into a “ping pong” of bidding. The auction was eventually won by Mr Peter Lock who made a very generous bid of 610 Euros and won 2 return flight tickets to Istanbul, a weeks stay at an Apartment near Taksim Square, a bottle of wine and a box of Turkish delight as well as – 12 Months Home Insurance, Travel Insurance and 12 Months Emergency Health cover. These prizes were very generously donated by, Mr Piers Oakey, Dawn and Steve Jones and Azant Insurance and Real Estates in Alsançak
Raffle Prizes included, a number of Wine, Food and Jams hampers, a 12 Months Home, Travel and Emergency Accident Insurance package, meals and overnight accommodation at Gillams and Bellapais Restaurants and a two night stay at the Pia Bella Hotel.
3 ABF certificates of recognition were awarded on the night to Jonny and Maggie Kay, Piers Oakey and Mr Sabri Abit, they were presented by the Honorary President of the ABF in Cyprus, Lt Col (ret’d) Geoff Fryatt MBE.
For the many people who were not able to attend the event we are including below a flipbook programme which you can read online or download as a PDF file for future reading and enjoyment..
