DIDIM’S pledge to Ataturk and Turkey has taken new strides this last week.

Firstly, a 60m flagpole, which will bear a 15m by 10m Turkish flag, has been hoisted close to the Peace Garden, in Altinkum, opposite the Family Door and Seaview Restuarants.

The road was cordoned off briefly while the pole was erected.

Meanwhile, the new replacement statue of Ataturk was installed at the top of Ataturk Boulevard.

A new 5.5 metres high and 2.5m wide statue, (8m high including the pedestal) was installed on the junction opposite the former Law Courts and the turn for Yenihisar. Sculptor was Eray Okkan. It replaces the last one which had been criticised in some quarters.

It replaced the last one which had been criticised in some quarters of the Turkish community.

Meanwhile the bottom of Atautkr Boulevard has seen major road works with the laying of flood alleviation pipes which head through Dolphin Square and to the beach. These works will be ongoing for the rest of the winter.