Does Anyone Remember Newman’s Farm in Kyrenia, North Cyprus?
Since publishing this article new information has been obtained and a revised edition published. To see the up to date version click here
By Margaret Sheard
Sometimes you come across something which seems to have a fascination and you want to discover more about it and this happened while I was talking to Hasan and Tomrul at Dizayn 74 Pottery. We got into a discussion about the local area and a farm was mentioned. This was Newman’s Farm which was run by an Englishman, Paul Newman and his family.This is now the site of the Chinese House Restaurant on the Karaoğlanoğlu road. Some years ago a daughter of the family was researching her family history and came to North Cyprus to find out about Newman’s Farm and her relatives who had lived there. She approached Hasan and Tomrul to see if they could give her any information and they told her what they knew and directed her to speak to someone in Yeşiltepe but they have no idea of what further information she may have gleaned from that source.
I did a little research myself, as I remember when I told the Chiropodist I used in Wales that I was coming to live in North Cyprus she told me that she came to Cyprus with her parents and was based in Limassol in 1960 and they came to the North on holiday, staying at a NAAFI run hotel in Kyrenia. She well remembered Newman’s Farm as a lovely place where you could buy fresh milk (unheard of at the time) and really good afternoon teas, she also said she could remember a beautiful orange and lemon tree in the garden and wondered if they were still there. I remember thinking then that I was not aware of a farm anywhere around but of course it was long gone by the time I came here. I also found a few references to Newman’s Farm on the internet, mostly about the lovely cream teas and also one that stated there were about 20 Jersey cows, which were not a very familiar sight here.
I wonder of any of our readers who may h
ave been here in the 1950’s or 1960’s remember anything about Newman’s Farm. I found a lovely picture on the internet of a building covered with what looks like bourganvillia, it looks a lot different to the building which stands there today. I have also since been provided with some photographs of the farm, as it was, by the present proprietor of the Chinese House Restaurant which now stands on the site.
Reminisces from someone who visited Kyrenia many years ago. “Newman’s Farm for example, where we could have boiled eggs, bread and butter and cups of proper tea, in lovely old fashioned surroundings. With cows (Jersey’s I think) out in the yard. A very special experience especially when feeling a bit homesick. – Honest I didn’t dream it.”
Extract from story about a visit in 1957 – “We visited Newmans Farm, also run by a British family.It was the only farm on the island with real cows.We luxuriated in the shade of oak trees and drank glasses of cold milk, sitting at wooden benches.I took photographs with my new 35 mm camera, colour slides that are today stored with dozens of other somewhere in the loft.”
So, if anyone remembers Newman’s Farm I would love to hear what you can recall about it.
I well remember Newman’s Farm when serving in the Royal Signals in 1958.The only dairy farm in Cyprus.To my delight when visiting Buckfast Abbey a few years later I passed another Newman’s Farm in Buckfastleigh,and spoke to the owners ,who turned out to be the same family!
Great to hear your news Peter. There are a few pictures on the internet of the farm and a few people around who have vague memories. It would be great to learn more and if you can help, that would be great. Thank you again for visiting our Web Blog.
We didn’t’ have a farm in Buckfast, my parents ran the local Post Office and village store.
Thank you for your comment. I will be in touch separately as already advised.
When doing National Service in the Army I was posted to Cyprus during the troubles in 1956. I was a medical officer in the RAMC and dealt with many casualties. One safe place to relax in was Newman’s Farm. They served delicious milk shakes and lovely boiled egg teas. This was served out of doors under trees and near the herd of cows. There was always the farmyard smell which was such a welcome addition to the tea! I became engaged to my wife (a nurse)while in Cyprus and at times we both enjoyed being at dear old Newman’s Farm. We are still married after 55years and have such happy memories of Newman’s Farm. John Lunn e-mail. drjohnlunn@gmail.com
Thank you John, it’s great to hear from you and learn about your experiences at Newman’s Farm. We would love to learn more and from another comment we learned there is a farm in Buckfastly in Devon and it would seem this is owned by the Newman’s family. If you know of others who can provide additional information or perhaps even photos we will be pleased hear more for this recovery of history and heritage.
From
Joy Ziya nee Evans
23rd April 2013
I was in Cyprus in 1958-1960 with the NAAFI during the EOKA emergency.Newman’s Farm and Milk Bar was a really special place for afternoon tea and milk shakes.I was a frequent visitor and remember part of the treat was to visit the cowsheds.The animals looked so healthy and well cared for.
Somewhere at home I have a photo of me taken at the milk bar,and when I get home I must seek it out from among the boxes of old pictures.It is good to reflect on that time and the many wonderful memories of the old Cyprus which to me was a magical place way back then.
I would love to read comments from anyone who was here during that time.
Hi Joy. It is so nice to hear from someone who remembers Newman’s Farm and we would love to see your photograph. If you can recall anything else please write it down as I would like to try and add to what has already been written if I can obtain any further information. Do you remember Paul (Charlie) Newman for instance and perhaps his family. I Look forward to hearing from you again. Regards Margaret
Hi, my name is Patricia Newman (Pat) I am the Grand daughter of Philip Newman. My Grand Father & Grand Mother bought the land and built Newman’Farm
I am so pleased to hear from you and hope you will be able to fill in some of the gaps so that I can possibly do an update to the previous Newman’s Farm articles. I will email you separately in the next day or so.
Regards Margaret
As you know I am thrilled to have heard from you. Will be in touch soon.
Hello Margaret,
I run The Round Tower in Kyrenia and met the grand daughter of the Newnham’s some time ago. She recognised the Poem The Olive Tree which was written in calligraphy by William Dreghorn. The scribe is “A British Resident” whom she said was Paul Newnham,, her grandfather. I shall be in Devon during the next two months and will visit Buckfastleigh to meet the family there. Mr Newnham also wrote small booklets about Kyrenia castle and other historic sites. Copies are on display in The Round Tower but not for sale.
Hi Linda, Thank you for your comment. I will be in to see you in the near future and perhaps we can share notes about Newman’s Farm. Perhaps I can have a look at the books written by Philip Newman (I now understand it wasn’t Paul). I am now in touch with the grand daughter and hope to be able to get the correct story which will make another great article.
I used to visit Newmans with the RAF Mountain Rescue for a much needed cold drink from 1957– 1959 after a hard days training before returning to RAF Nicosia
Thank you for the comment. I have written to you by email.
Hi Margaret,
My name is Lara Newman and I am the great granddaughter of Philip Newman. My father was born on the farm and I am coming to visit Cyprus in January to visit the site. I was hoping you might be able to email me and let me know any further information you have discovered and anyone I may be able to speak to whilst I am over there who remembers the farm.
Lara
HI Lara. Lovely to hear from you and we will be pleased to get as much information as we can together ready for your visit. I will write to you separately by email.
Hi Margaret. There are a lot of stories about Cyprus but your persistence on this one is finally coming to something, well done.
While doing National Service in the Army, I was posted to Cyprus during the EOKA terrorist campaign in 1956. One “get away” from it all was to visit Newman’s Farm. There we could have a delicious cream tea and cold milk shake kindly served. The cows were in a dusty pasture close to where we had our tea – out of doors of course. It was all such a wonderful break from what was happening during most of our time in Cyprus. We loved Newman’s Farm! John Lunn
Hello John, I think you have commented before about Newman’s Farm and it is lovely to hear from people that actually remember it. I have now made contact with a grand-daughter and also great grand-daughter of the original people who started the farm and now have information which will enable me to make a lot of corrections to my original article. Plus I am hoping to be able to publish a lot more to do with the original Newmans. I may have asked you before if you have any photographs from the time you visited and if you have I would love to see them, as would the present family.
After Christmas will look up old photograph albums of my time in Cyprus and see if one of Newman’s Farm and if so will get copy for you. Happy Christmas! John Lunn
Thank you John, look forward to hearing from you if you find anything from the old days. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Hello. My name is Paul Hencher. I lived with my parents and sister at the end of Snake Island Lane, the turning for which was near Newmans Farm, where we would quite often go for cold drinks (our favourite being the milk shakes made with milk from their herd of Jersey cows.) My sister, Christine, and I attended the Army Children’s School during our time there, ie 1956 – 1959. I have a couple of photos which I would be happy to forward, but not sure how to attach them here.
Thank you for your comment, I have written to you by separate email. Look forward to hearing from you.
HI. Yes i remember Newmans Farm, as a member of the Wiltshire Regt, We called in on a regular basis for cold milk drinks in 1957, we were out training early mornings in Company strenght and looked forward to the break for real Jersey cold milk. Regards Dennis
I used to go there with my parents in the 1950s. I still remember it and use the memory in some of the stories I write about Cyprus.
I am replying by email