Welcome to the last Fethiye Times News of 2018. The next issue will be on Monday 7 January 2019.
News
Three rail workers held after deadly high-speed train crash in Ankara
Three state railway employees have been detained in Turkey on suspicion of negligence after a collision involving a high-speed train killed at least nine people and injured 84 – an incident that will add to fears that the country’s infrastructure is deteriorating.
The commuter train heading to the city of Konya ploughed into a service engine carrying out a track inspection and then crashed into a pedestrian overpass at a station in Ankara at about 6.30am local time on Thursday.
Turkish television showed emergency workers at the scene in snowy conditions trying to free people from carriages trapped beneath the wreckage of the overpass at Marşandiz train station, about five miles from Ankara’s main station.
Three engine drivers are believed to be among the dead and at least three of the 206 passengers onboard remain in a serious condition in hospital. Read more…
Source: The Guardian
Local residents fear more floods this winter
In January we brought you an update on the flooding problem in the areas of Mavi Kent, Sağlık Sitesi and Çiçek Sitesi in Kocaçalış.
Over the last few weeks, local resident Dave Gardner, has been in touch with Fethiye Times to bring us up to date with the situation as another winter approaches. This is what Dave told us.
“I moved to Turkey from Scotland in September 2009 and moved to Kocaçaliş in June 2014. We liked the area because it was quiet and our home was next to a lake and wetland area with a variety of different species of birds, fish and other wildlife including herons, kingfishers, bats,owls, pigeons, egrets, mullet, carp and other fish.
We were told that the lake and wetland area would not be built on and that it was a protected wildlife area. We were also told that the area did not flood now as MUSKİ kept the river open.
After moving to Koca Çaliş we found out this was not true, we have been flooded in our home many times. The most recent time was on 30 December 2017. It rained for two days and the canal overflowed because DSİ (State water Department) had not kept it open and clean.”
Dave, along with local residents, has now been campaigning for four years for the following to happen:
- Get MUSKİ to build a permanent effective breakwater in the sea at the outlet of the river at Kumluova Sokak as a matter of urgency with a promise that they will keep the river open by excavation prior to the breakwater being in place.
- Get DSİ to dredge the rest of the canal and to give a promise to keep it open in the future. They also need to build higher and wider bridges to accomodate the flow of the canal. (They did say that they would do this but we need confirmation.)
- Receive an assurance from the authorities that the lake and wetland area in Kocaçaliş will not be built on.
Dave also told us “DSİ eventually cleaned most of the canal last month, also making it a bit wider. They also promised to assess if they need to widen the bridges on the canal. A few days ago, however, we noticed that the canal water level had risen after some rain.
It has taken me most of a year since more than fifty homes were flooded on 30 December 2017, to get DSİ to clean the canal and we are now at risk of suffering further flooding this winter.”
The Istanbul International Environment Summit that took place from 6-8 December had a very special guest speaker …Fethiye’s very own Mick Scarsbrook (Mick Amca).
Speaking at a session on Friday, Mick talked about ways to reduce plastic pollution and improve recycling facilities. Have a look at the video and let Mick tell you for himself.
Mick also met first lady, Emine Erdoğan who was also speaking at the summit, calling for a change in consumption habits to reduce waste in the fight against environmental pollution.
Transformation for a Liveable Environment
The theme of this year’s summit was “Transformation for a Livable Environment.” Held by the Istanbul municipality, it brings together public institutions and organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), industrialists, urban planners, academics and related sector representatives. Participants discuss environmental action plans, waste recovery, waste energy generation, global climate change, environmental visions of governments and cities, conservation of biodiversity, coastal cleaning, environmentally friendly solutions and future perspectives in workshops and panels.
An exhibition accompanying the summit showcases projects for environmental protection as well as souvenirs made of recycled material, electric garbage disposal vehicles and so forth.
Little did Mick know where his original video, highlighting the issue of rubbish in Fethiye, would lead…
Subscribe to Mick’s YouTube channel
Facebook: Türkiye’yi Temiz Tutalım
The Fire Tones make a bid for No.1 in the charts
The Fire Tones are a group of Fire Service Personnel from fire stations around the U.K. who have come together to release a charity Christmas single in aid of The Firefighters Charity and The Band Aid Trust.
Their aim is to raise money for their firefighter charities and the brave men and women who put their lives in danger day-in, day-out
To get airplay on the radios and be in with a chance of beating X-factor (And their millions) to the Xmas No1, their video needs to go viral.
They need our help!
Please, share and like this video and help this song to go viral and get this year’s Christmas No 1.
Buying the song is best. Either online or in HMV. Buy a single here: https://thefiretones.com/
Playing it on Spotify also helps too 100 plays = 1 single bought. If you don’t have Spotify, playing it on Youtube helps a little too.
Most importantly, sharing and asking your family and friends will help them reach as many people as possible.
It’s a great song, a great group of singers and a great cause!
Sport
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the sport updates.
Fethiyespor
Fethiye played the final match of the first half of the season yesterday. They drew their home match against Bandirmaspor. The final score was 1-1.
Fethiyespor end the first half of the season in 16th position on the league table.
The next league matches are:
The second half of the season starts on the 20th January 2019.
For more information about Fethiyespor please visit Fethiyespor Yabancilar on Facebook.
Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor Basketbol
Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor won their away match against Kepez Belediyesi Spor Kulübü on Saturday. The final score was 42– 82.
For more information about Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor please visit them on Facebook.
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 6.75 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 6.75 TL.
The US Dollar bought 5.36 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 5.30 TL.
The Euro bought 6.06 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 6.03 TL.
ISource: FxexchangeRate.com
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
