Talking Round North Cyprus

Just how effective is the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus? Samuel Lewis-Blanc is back chatting about his role with them and about his new podcast Cyprus Untold

Sam Lewis-Blanc and his family lived inside the Buffer Zone in Nicosia while he was the first continuity liaison officer to Turkish Forces for the UN 2019-2021. He provides a fascinating insight into many aspects of divided Cyprus.

Daz Barton was a British soldier serving across many conflicts. He worked with the UN on the Green Line in Nicosia. He’s lived in both the south and north and has an interesting perspective on life in Cyprus.

From working in the NHS and UK prisons such as Holloway and Wormwood Scrubs, Claire Lamb has thrown herself into local life in the TRNC. She chats here about her now famous Table Top Sales raising money for Tatlisu dogs.

Aubrey Beckham came to the TRNC just for the weekend but that was 12 years ago. She loves life in North Cyprus but it was difficult at first as the local Brits at the time weren’t very welcoming.

We’re back after our Christmas and New Year break. And our first guest of 2024 is editor in chief of Cyprus Today, Eltan Halil, who is feeling positive about this coming year for the TRNC.

You’d think that if you were moving to a new country, and decided to open the only bowls club in North Cyprus, you’d have done it before. But no. Martin Appleton tells us why and how he’s done just that.

Roger and Sara chat about the new Ercan airport; UNDP Cyprus and children taking over parliament.

Ralph O’Neill experienced many areas of conflict around the world as an army medic. He reflects, this Remembrance weekend, on his career and why he chose North Cyprus as his home. *There is some graphic description in this episode *

Roger is in England and Sara is in Jersey at the time of recording. They discuss the new Ercan airport and the view of the Israel Gaza conflict from TRNC perspective (among other things). Enjoy!

Jemma Neely visited the TRNC on holiday and stayed for 12 years. She lived in quite rough conditions and spent all her time looking after stray animals, particularly dogs. She’s leaving N Cyprus and reflects on her time..

Willy Lindt worked for the UN in Cyprus in 1964 but could see the Turkish Cypriots were already being heavily persecuted. He tried to help but ended up in prison in Sweden. Hear his amazing story.

Sara visits Gul Ciplak (The Artist) in Dipkarpaz to find out about her holiday lets and paintings and catches up with Mike and Veysal from Eagle’s Nest a year on. Plus The Russians are coming… or here already in large numbers

Sara grabs a quick week at her apartment in North Cyprus and catches up with some previous podcast guests - “The Artist One” and “The Eagle’s Nest One”. Plus of course her co-host Roger Bara - in his pool!

Listen here to our guest Peter Wills, who lives in the TRNC, and encourages film makers to come to the island. But his background is very diverse and he famously missed out on hiring The Beatles!

What would you do if you needed part time, or full time care, in the TRNC and had no family to help? They are only 6 care homes in the TRNC and they’re not fit for purpose. Professor Hatice Jenkins is working tirelessly to get the government to address this growing problem but we all need to help because sadly, one day, you may need someone to look after you.

Sarah Woods is the author of over a dozen travel books, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. She writes for national newspapers and travel magazines and has appeared regularly on TV and radio. So, of all the places she could have chosen, why has she chosen to live in North Cyprus?

Born to Turkish Cypriot parents in London, Fez grew up in the UK, only moving to North Cyprus once married. She worked hard to make it her home and now works with children inspiring them to be better people. She’s passed this on to adults though her volunteer work with Tulips Cancer charity. Enjoy her zest for life!

Former accountant and former hairdresser Nigel and Paul Woollaston-Evans gave up their careers to move to the TRNC where they now help others with their health and well-being. We’re also told they host great parties!

As President Erdogan is re-elected in Türkiye, how does that affect the TRNC going forward? We get a full insight from Cyprus Today Editor in Chief Eltan Halil

If you ever have a question, or want help, on life in North Cyprus then Issy Atahasan is your man. He was invaluable during the pandemic in keeping people informed of regulations and his work hasn’t stopped. He told us why he does it and about his charity work

This episode is slightly rude! Roger’s equipment let’s him down so he and Sara end up chatting bollocks (quite literally!)

Barry Miller had been living in the TRNC for around 10 years and has moved into a house in the country. He thought at one point, during the pandemic, he’d leave but he tells Sara and Roger he couldn’t be happier.

Irene Scott retired to North Cyprus with her daughter and granddaughter. She picked up a stray dog from the roadside and nearly 10 years later she’s set up her own Little Ranch Rescue. She looks after and then rehomes stray dogs. Hear her story as she chatted with Roger and Sara

Well known author Malcolm Hollingdrake’s first novel was set in North Cyprus. He lived in the TRNC in the ‘80s and remembers it fondly. You can get his book “Bridging the Gulf” on Amazon

Conrad arrived in the TRNC two years ago, from Namibia, having never visited before. He has now had to return to South Africa. He reflects on life in the TRNC.

A short, sombre episode as Roger and Sara discuss the devastating impact the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria have had in the TRNC. Our thoughts are with anyone affected.

From Playboy Bunny girl to Bayrak International’s Radio Angel, via Australia, America, S Africa and the USA, Denise Phillips tells her story of finally putting roots down in the TRNC.

Buse Celebi is a lovely, young Turkish Cypriot woman who runs the family hotel - Celebi Garden Hotel - that sits on the cliffs of Mehmetçik village overlooking the valley and the sea. It is the pioneer of sustainable tourism practices in the TRNC.

Sara and Roger are live at the Iskele Xmas Eve Swim where they meet new friends and the lady who started Tulips Cancer charity. Plus Xmas Eve night at the Celebi Garden Hotel in Mehmetçik

Helen trained as a nurse but set up her own company providing medical expertise to the film industry. Married to Turkophile Norm, she too now loves living in the TRNC.

Norm Russell is a real Turkophile and, being able to speak Turkish in his early days in the Met Police, led him to the TRNC, where he eventually chose to live.

From cooking for Royalty to retiring to the TRNC, Paul Wells tells us that he enjoys not eating gourmet meals all the time and how he’s loving life in North Cyprus.

Sara chats about being on the Graham Norton show and Rog tells us how he’s doing after his cancer op. But our main guest is Vikki who runs the entertainment venue The Black Olive in Alsancak TRNC

We’re back after a little break. Roger tells us about his prostate cancer treatment and Sara chats about working for the BBC in London the day of HM The Queen’s funeral.

Host Roger is on his holibobs in England so we are replaying one of our very interesting episodes - how Conrad fled from Namibia to the TRNC.

At 8 years old, Alper Mehmet arrived in England from Cyprus speaking no English. He eventually joined the Foreign Office and became the first British Ambassador with foreign heritage. Part 2

At 8 years old, Alper Mehmet arrived in England from Cyprus speaking no English. He eventually joined the Foreign Office and became the first British Ambassador with foreign heritage.

Giving up life on the island of Jersey and taking a leap of faith to live in the TRNC, Martin Palmer, a retired manager at Jersey Post, and his wife Glenda couldn’t be happier.

From serving in the army to working in finance to running a popular restaurant in North Cyprus, Mike Whitehouse tells us about The Eagle’s Nest and his plans for the future.

There are three things certain in life. Death, taxes and Janet Mcghee being at Bogaz harbour raising money for N Cyprus cats! She tells us about her life in the TRNC.

James Clark has made the TRNC his home and started two thriving business - both quite different. From jeeps and wine to becoming a celebrant.

Determined lady Sara (another one!) moved her family from Kazakhstan to TRNC 3 years ago and has set up her own business. Hear her story as she chats with (the other) Sara and Roger

Sara and Roger chew the fat about stuff in the TRNC! Another coalition failure, future guests and why we enjoy this country.

Fancy a pork sausage? Then you’re in luck as Zanan pork farm, just outside Nicosia, is a brand new farming venture in the TRNC. Roger went to meet Ulkem and Aras Yeşilada and some pigs…

Ipek Ozerim is the editor of the online English speaking Turkish Cypriot newspaper T-Vine. She chats with Roger and Sara about her Turkish Cypriot roots and her passion in protecting and promoting the TRNC.

Head into Famagusta Old Town and opposite Othello’s tower is Champion Inn tourist shop run by the very friendly Huseyin Ummanel. He tells us about fleeing from his family home in south Cyprus to make a new life in the North.