The friend of Northern Cyprus shares its Daily News of Life and Times around the world
By Margaret Sheard …
I downloaded the new book by Bryan Hill entitled Brandy Sours and have spent some happy hours reading this very entertaining story of life in Cyprus for Bryan and Irene Hill for a 7 year period and their adventures through all the ‘red tape’ as well as happier times exploring the island and making friends.
By Bryan Hill …
With retirement fast approaching, I thought ‘Is this all there is?’… we were not ready to just drift into old age. We wanted ‘a big adventure before dementia’ so my wife Irene and I took a leap into the unknown, sold our house and business in Devon and moved to TRNC where we lived for nearly eight years from 2004 until 2012.
By Richard Chamberlain …
I was only 18 years old when I arrived in Cyprus on 28th May 1954 and landed at the old Nicosia International Airport. There were about 100 soldiers on the old propeller aircraft. On the way to Cyprus we had to land at Valletta in Malta to refuel. 
The planes in those days could not make it to Cyprus without refuelling on the way. All the soldiers had to take their boots off before getting on the plane so as not to damage the carpet with their hobnail boots. We had to sit with our boots on our lap!
When we arrived at Nicosia Airport, there were army lorries to take us to Ayios Nicholias (4 mile point) just outside Famagusta. I was a wireless operator in the Royal Signals Regiment and was billeted with all the other wireless operators.
As soon as I arrived, the Sergeant in Charge told me to get ready to march in the Queen’s Birthday Parade which was in about a week’s time. In the next few days I was marching up and down the parade square with the other soldiers. After about 3 days, the Sergeant in Charge told me I had not had enough practice at marching like the 
other troops so I could have the day off. I was pleased because I could go down to Famagusta Town (near Maraş) to photograph the Queen’s Birthday Parade with the camera I had taken with me
After the parade I went round the old town photographing almost everything I could see. It was all so different to me being in this lovely country away from the small town where I lived in 
England. I could not believe my luck being sent to this magical island! After that day in June 1954 every time I went anywhere I took my little film camera with me to capture as much of the way of life of this beautiful island and the Cypriot people as I could.
The army had a photographic “dark room” in the town of Famagusta so in the evening I used to go and develop the film I had taken to see what the photos I had taken during the day were like. Then I used to print them. Readers of this have to realise that there were no digital cameras then, only film cameras.
I took many photos but the one I am most pleased with is the one taken on the old Famagusta city wall of an old cannon and the historic city of Famagusta. I used this photo for the cover of my book of photos of Cyprus which I have published.
When I returned to England after my 2 years army service had been completed, I put the photos and negatives away because I didn’t think they were of much interest at that time. 
More recently, as Cyprus is more in the news, I have put all the photos together and published them in a book entitled “Cyprus Scenes and Way of Life in 1954”. It has proved to be very popular now that the photos are like modern history and show how things used to be in Cyprus 63 years ago. I have sold and given away about 1,000 books up until now and have just had another 1,000 books printed. They are available in black/white at 40TL and colour at 70TL and can be purchased from The Round Tower, Best Seller Bookshops in Karakum and Alsancak, or by telephoning me on 0533 859 7663.
When I returned to England I resumed as an apprentice in the printing industry for another 3 years. I also continued with my love of photography. I have re-visited Cyprus many times, still taking photographs of this lovely island. Finally, I have moved to live here.
I have now tried to visit all the places I photographed in 1954/55 and taken the photos again showing the differences, if there are any. I have now published another book with some of the 63 year old photos alongside the photos taken more recently. 
Sometimes there is a big difference and sometimes there is hardly any change at all. This book is also available from The Round Tower, Best Seller Bookshops and by telephoning me.
I am now 82 years old and love living in Cyprus. I don’t want to live anywhere else. I still have my lovely old camera with which I took all the black and white photographs of Cyprus and now of course modern digital cameras.
When I pass on, I will request that my old camera, plus film, be buried with me in case there is anything to photograph in the next world!!
By Margaret Sheard……
When visiting the Gardens of Irini a little while ago to attend a photography exhibition of Jay Wadams, he told us of the book which was to be published for Deidre Guthrie who had come across the writings of her father John Guthrie and which she was very keen to have published for others to read about her family’s life for many years in Bellapais. Deidre can still be found at the Gardens of Irini where you can relax with a cooling drink and a snack high up in Bellapais in her delightful garden.
On Thursday 8th September 2016, the book “A Bell in Bellapais” was launched at Bestseller Bookshop in Karakum and Deidre was there to carry out book-signing for the many people who had arrived to acquire a copy of the wonderful story told by her father.
We were greeted by Jay Wadams and Markus (Max) Betzmeier-Wadams who had been very involved with the preparation of the book. Max told me that they had recently set up a publishing house, MBW Publishing Enterprises, in their hometown of Munich, Germany, and they were so pleased to have the opportunity of handling Deidre’s book which is their first enterprise and they will also shortly be printing a cookery book currently being written by Jay. Good luck to Max and Jay with their new enterprise.
Jay welcomed the large group of people who had come to the book signing and introduced Deidre who read a short passage from the book and this was followed by a Bellapais resident and author, Paul Davis, who also read two further passages. Jay is a wonderful photographer, as we have seen from his exhibitions, and he had produced with Max an image of the cover of the book which they presented to Deidre.
We noticed a portrait of John Guthrie and asked Deidre 
about him. She told us he was born on South Island, New Zealand which he left at the age of 18. The picture showed him at the age of about 24.
As is normal at this type of event, there were many familiar faces and a lot of conversation and Deidre was kept very busy signing many books for a large number of people.
I am just starting to read the book and am sure it is going to be very enjoyable learning of the Guthrie family’s life in Bellapais all those years ago. My review of the book “A Bell in Bellapais” will follow in the near future.
A Bell in Bellapais is available at Bestseller Bookshop, Karakum and through Amazon UK.
By Margaret Sheard…..
Jarra Brown has been promoting his book “46 Miles” in the UK but he found time in his very busy schedule to undertake a book-signing here in North Cyprus at Best Seller Bookshop in Karakum on Monday 14th September.
We have given some promotion to the book previously and went along to Best Seller Bookshop for the signing and to see how the book was being received. While at the book shop there was a steady stream of people coming in to purchase a signed copy of the book and Jarra had a video showing the processions through Wootton Bassett in the UK, which I must say I found very heart wrenching.
Having read some extracts from the book when doing the cyprusscene promotion I found myself near to tears and although I am looking forward to reading the book, which I know is an account of the way in which the fallen servicemen were brought 
home with dignity, I also expect to shed some tears at the sensitive way in which it has been written. How on earth Jarra dealt with this on such a personal basis is unbelievable.
When Jarra Brown hears church bells he cannot fail to be reminded of the hundreds – 345 to be precise – of service personnel who passed through the beautiful rural Wiltshire countryside into Oxfordshire. These men and women were not hiking across its green pastures or sitting on top of the number 55 bus, instead they were lifeless, resting inside a coffin draped with the Union flag. By the end of August 2011 the bells of St Bartholomew’s Church in Wootton Bassett had tolled more times than the residents of this once peaceful town cared to think about, for each chime represented the moment the 
police convoy accompanying the hearse from RAF Lyneham entered the High Street.
A moment frozen in time, a moment when the residents of this town came to show their respects, a moment that couldn’t have been more fitting even if 46 Miles had been choreographed. There was no call to arms by the Town Crier, just a spontaneous, modest and unprompted response to those who had paid the ultimate price in the name of duty.
46 Miles is not a book about the politics of war, the whys and wherefores of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, or indeed the hidden agendas and government strategies. It is about a town which captured the hearts of our nation and whose emotions rippled the entire 46 mile journey of honour, dignity and respect into Oxford. It is dedicated to those 345 people who, having signed up to serve their Queen and country, paid with their lives. Wootton Bassett, who nurtured the grieving on every occasion, wanted to let the nation know that these heroes will never be forgotten.
About the Author
A former Army Commando soldier, Jarra joined the police in 1990, 
serving 22 years and retired in March 2012. He was the instrumental link between the Police and the military over the repatriations through Wootton Bassett and was awarded the MBE in the 2011 New Year’s Honours List.
Jarra will be giving a presentation at the Royal British Legion, Kyrenia Branch, meeting on 14th October at Le Chateau Lambousa in Lapta and we would recommend people to go along and hear what Jarra has to say. Immediately following the presentation Jarra will be jetting back to the UK to continue with promotion and book-signing at many places throughout the country. Jarra will be donating funds from the proceeds of his book to “Scotty’s Little Soldiers” a charity dedicated to supporting bereaved British Forces’ children. While we were at the Book Shop, Jarra also suggested displaying their RBL collection box for people to make a donation to RBL if they so wished.
We wish Jarra every success with his book. He told us that many people urged him to write this when they were aware of what a beautiful story it is and although he was a little apprehensive at the start he found that suddenly the words just flowed and so the story was created – a very fitting tribute to those 345 people who passed through Wootton Bassett.
Following Jarra Brown’s radio interview with Denise Phillips for her Main Event programme on Bayrak International Radio, Jarra wrote an article about this experience which included the music he had chosen and also a video, together with a review by Denise Phillips of the interview which she found very emotional and moving. To see this please click here
More photos of the book signing of “46 Miles” by Jarra Brown MBE at Best Seller Bookshop in Karakum.
By Margaret Sheard….
We are now into another New Year – 2015 and I have put up my lovely calendar “Yesterday and Today” produced by Richard Chamberlain with some of his wonderful photographs which were taken in Cyprus in 1954 and 60 years later in 2014, of the same scenes. January is showing Kyrenia Harbour, then and now.
Although I looked at all the pictures when I bought the calendar I am going to resist the temptation of going through it again so I will have a nice surprise each month when I turn the pages. This is a 15 month 
calendar so I have 15 lovely “then and now” pictures awaiting me.
If you haven’t yet displayed a calendar on your wall there are still some of Richard’s calendars available at Best Seller Bookshops in Karakum and Alsancak, Ozankoy Bookshop and the Round Tower, or you can contact Richard’s daughter Lynne on 0533 832 7792.
So why not have some photographic memories of North Cyprus to look at when making a note of things to do throughout the year and into 2016.
By Carole King and Sue Tilt
Barbara Burton has very kindly volunteered to organise a Christmas Card Making Day for us at the Ozankoy Bookshop.
It will be held on Wednesday 15 October at the Ozankoy 
Bookshop and will be in two sessions. First session 10.30am to 12.30pm and the second session 14.00 to 16.00.
Lunch is available on request but please ring Barbara on 0542 865 7916 to order.
Materials are provided, but if you have a cutting board could you please bring this along. Guidance will be provided for beginners.
If you enjoy card making, please come along and support this event for Tulips Pink October.
Best wishes
Carole and Sue
By Margaret Sheard…..
I recently wrote an article about a new bookstore on the main Bellapais Road near the traffic lights which was written from an account of someone who had visited.
I was anxious to see for myself what the bookstore 
had to offer and being in the area last week, I took the opportunity of calling in to meet the ladies, Ayşe Yemen and Ayça Sogür Çıralı. It is a lovely place to visit and browse around, it is not huge inside but plenty of shelving for the many books on offer and outside there is a nice covered seating area where you can relax in the comfortable chairs and have a snack and a drink. There is also a small children’s area where they can play in safety while Mum and Dad browse around the books or sit and have a bit of relaxation.
Books not on the shelves can be ordered so if there is something special you would like, just place your order and leave the rest to StreetArt.
The ladies do their own cooking on the premises and also will deliver meals locally, together with books which have been ordered. What a nice touch to their service and it certainly keeps Ayşe and Ayça busy. In fact Ayça was dashing off to deliver some lunch while we were there.
As well as books, food and drink there is an added bonus of entertainment on a regular basis and we are showing below the posters for Arkin & Ibrahim who perform every Saturday at 9pm and there is also entertainment on Wednesday evenings every week at 9pm. Niyal Özturk will be giving a special performance on Friday 26th September at 9pm.
By Margaret Sheard
The traffic lights at the Bellapais junction in Girne is a normal route we 
take when we are out and about and waiting for the lights to change I noted with interest the demolition of an old building and the appearance of the new StreetArt Bookstore and Cafe which opened earlier this year.
Our friend, Heidi Trautmann, had a book launch at StreetArt shortly after it opened and she has also interviewed the proprietors, Ayşe Yemen and Ayça Sogür Çıralı. The full article appears in Heidi’s website but we have been given permission to use some of the content to advise our readers of this new exciting venture by Ayşe and Ayça. In order to not spoil the enjoyment of reading the whole interview I am giving a small amount of information here and would urge you to read the whole article on Heidi’s website by clicking here.
StreetArt Bookstore and Cafe is situated on the right 
hand side of the road just after the traffic lights when travelling from Girne to Bellapais. There is an off-road parking area and an outside area with a lawn and seating with colourful cushions and umbrellas where you can relax and have a cool drink and something to eat from the menu, which is prepared daily by Ayşe and Ayça. There is also a children’s play area and Ayşe and Ayça recently organised a birthday party with a cake and balloons for their young visitors. When you have had enough of sitting around, that is the time to go into the bookstore and browse through the growing selection of books in Turkish and English. If there is a particular book 
someone wants they will endeavour to get it for them and they also will deliver books to their customers as well as food ordered from their menu. An excellent service.
This is the first Turkish Cypriot bookstore on the northern side of the Kyrenia mountains. There are regular readings of newly published books and also literary meetings and the ladies are also introducing events with music and other types of entertainment for their customers’ enjoyment. A recent event can be viewed on the poster below.
StreetArt Bookstore and Cafe is open Monday to Saturday from 8.00 – 22.00 hrs. You can find them on Facebook – click here – where there is a regular update of books coming in, of reading events and also….very tempting….a photo of the dish of the day. You can call them on the following numbers:
Tel: 0392 815 16 05
Mobile: 0533 857 51 52
www.streetartcyp.com
We will be writing more soon about this exciting new bookstore/cafe and look forward to giving you more information about StreetArt activities.
By Mary Day
Every now and then you get a little surprise a case of expect the unexpected, well I was pleasantly surprised when I met a gentleman by the name of Kevin Mcbride.
Kevin is a reasonably ordinary man, no different from any other person you may come across on your daily travels and is a father of three children and grandfather to eight. 
I would describe Kevin as very much a man’s man and very much into following football and playing pool.
Kevin and wife Jan moved to Cyprus from London in September 2012 bringing with them their two much loved family pets Jess and Molly two jack Russell cross Chihuahua’s or ‘jacahuahua’ as Kevin and Jan like to call them.
Kevin holds a little secret within as he has written a children’s book and a very good one at that, one that I have had both the privilege and pleasure of reading.
On meeting with Kevin at his home in Catalkoy it was quite clear to me that the dogs seem to have taken on the same comical character of Kevin and after reading his book and then meeting the two dogs I almost felt that he was speaking for them as he had done so in his book, maybe it was just me and my imagination but there was a wonderful chemistry and great understanding between Kevin, Jess and Molly and I really do believe that although Kevin has written the book he was merely the writing tool for Jess and Molly and it was a case of if only the dogs could talk this is what they would say .
A little snip from Kevin’s book:
Jess, don’t run off! I’m scared! It’s so big out here! Don’t be silly there’s nothing to be scared of. I’m the queen of the jungle!
The book is based on the move from the UK to Cyprus from a dog’s view or should I say two dogs’ view, it is based on the wonderful adventure that the two dogs faced as they received the news that they would be moving to a new home so far away.
I asked Kevin how he came to write the book? He said “I managed large building jobs in the UK it was very stressful, when I came to Cyprus I will say I was a little bored, I was just in the garden one day, the dogs playing and running around and I said to my wife Jan that I could write a book about those two and that was it I did”.
The book is ideally suited to 3-7 year olds but I think adults will love it equally and enjoy reading it to children.
I asked Kevin if he had tried to get it published. He said ”I have sent it to my friend Stuart in the UK, he loved it and said it was brilliant and that he has a few contacts in publishing that he 
will get advice from and I will meet with him in November, but who knows what will happen we will have to wait and see”. Kevin’s daughter Tracy said “I loved the book I thought it was fantastic”.
I asked Kevin if he had thought of doing more books, to be honest I am excited by and look forward to reading the next adventures of Jess and Molly myself. Kevin said “My friends have said that I should write more but I have not really thought about it they said it could be a series of books, I think I would like to write more of them “.
A modest man afraid that his ex-work colleagues in the UK may see his book and make fun of him about it, Kevin does not see the talent that he holds and he gave me the impression that he is almost embarrassed by the fact that he has written a book. He does not seem to recognise that everyone who reads his book absolutely loves it.
On a final note all I can say is “look out for, The adventure’s of Jess and Molly”, not only will your children love it I am sure you will too”.
