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.

From picking up the violin at an early age in Belfast, via Trinity College of Music in London, from string quartets to backing the likes of Peter Gabriel, Lesley Locke has brought her wonderful talent to North Cyprus. Host Roger Bara finds out what brings her to the TRNC.

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!