● ATA trip,
MEMBERS of the Anglo Turkish Association of Northern Cyprus (ATA) explored the history of the Lefke region during a recent coach trip. On arriving in Lefke, while enjoying coffee and refreshments overlooking the Güzelyurt Bay, members were given a talk about the area and its copper mines. “Although the copper mines ceased working in 1975, there is still a lot to see in the surrounding countryside and they visited the abandoned CMC buildings and reservoir,” the ATA said. “In Lefke they were able to see The Coronation Monument, Colonial Buildings and Ottoman Houses with lunch taken at a new boutique hotel – Konağı Guest House. ATA members were the hotel’s first customers and enjoyed delicious homemade food and fresh lemonade. “After lunch, visits to the Pirpaşa Mosque and Vizier Osman Paşa Tomb were followed by a visit to the House of Sheikh Nazım to see his tomb, where they were welcomed by the current Sheikh Mehmet ‘Adil, the eldest son of Sheikh Nazım and the 41st leader of the Naqshbandi Tariqa.” ATA members Karen and Garry Jordan said: “The day out was one of the most interesting and informative we have been on with the ATA. We’ve been to, and seen things today that we would never had been able to on our own or never knew existed.”
Event organiser Debbie Bird said: “Being able to take members to places of cultural interest they wouldn’t normally think of going to, such as the Sheikh’s tomb, learning about the CMC and doing it all in a friendly social way is what the ATA is all about.”