Talking Round North Cyprus

If you've ever had to visit the Kolan hospital in Nicosia, you may well have met Laura Perkins. She has the amazing ability to simultaneously interpret between Turkish and English. She tells us how she moved to Turkey with no Turkish but now lives happily in the TRNC

Nige Whinnett is a retired RAF police dog handler and has set up a business in the TRNC helping people train their dogs. He chats with Roger about life in North Cyprus and gives some top tips on handling dogs.

Sara and Roger discuss the possibility of bringing back a national airline and how the Greek Cypriot Mayor of Nicosia has stood in solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot Mayor of Lefkosa.

Little did Gary Pearce know that, when he was offered a week’s trip in the early 1990s to the TRNC to see if he wanted a job in the betting industry, he’d still be there today. But he is, and he tells us all about it.

What do an international music festival, Barcelona FC academy and Coronation Street all have in common? Listen to this episode to find out and we want your thoughts on it all. Plus, our thoughts are with those involved in the maritime disaster off the coast of Girne.

Did you fill in a survey about what it is like to live, as a foreigner, in the TRNC? It was put together by TFR and the results are out. Roger chatted with acting chairman of the TFR Caroline Houghton and Welfare and Cemetery coordinator, Jessy Ben-Dov to find out what the survey says..

Paul Bennett is keen to make a permanent move from the UK to the TRNC so he's putting it to the test with a year's trial - building his business and making new friends before bringing his family over. He tells us how his trial is going and whether he thinks he might stay....

Claire Morley (The Action Woman One) and Julie Freeland didn't just walk 33.5 km (20.8 miles) in 13 and a half hours - they played 4 rounds of golf - 72 holes. They tell us how their challenge went and how much they raised for local charities.

Our friend Peter Wills sadly died in North Cyprus a short time ago and so we wanted to pay tribute to him and replay the interview we did with him in 2023 where he tells us of his extraordinary and varied life. Rest in peace Peter.

Everyone knows Issy - from his translations of government policies during covid to his tireless fundraising. But if you didn’t know him before, this is your chance as he chats to us about what he’s up to after leaving Heartbeat charity.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are winners of the 2026 CONIFA European football Championship. Roger explains what this means for the TRNC who don’t often get the chance to play internationally.

What's a well known chef, who's worked in Michelin starred kitchens, doing foraging in the North Cyprus countryside? Joe Bartlett has moved to the TRNC and has brought with him his passion for using local, natural ingredients in his supper parties. We caught up with him to find out how life is treating him?

What do children from a primary school in Leicester have to do with North Cyprus? Well, their incredible headteacher is a proud Turkish Cypriot and took them to the semi finals of Britain's Got Talent on live TV. Hear from Halil Tamgumus - affectionately known as Mr T - about his Turkish Cypriot roots.

From Scotland to North Cyprus via journalism, wedding planning and becoming an author, Claire Morley seems to relish a challenge. She went to the Philippines to help with disaster relief and wrote a book about her time there. She is now the first lady Club Captain of Korenieum golf club and is embarking on yet another challenge.

From behind a Post Office counter via insurance, David Hillier now runs a very popular bakery in Alsancak near Girne (Kyrenia). He tells Roger and Sara about running a business in North Cyprus and how his goods are Baked with Love.

Tucked in the hills between Çamlıbel and Güzelyurt in North Cyprus lies one of the island’s most mysterious and eccentric landmarks:  The Blue House , or  Mavi Köşk . This striking 1957 villa wasn’t just a summer retreat—it was the private hideaway of  Paulo “Byron” Pavlides , a Greek Cypriot lawyer, businessman, and alleged arms smuggler with deep political connections and an even deeper love for...

Vicki Karaca ran the well known Black Olive venue for a few years but has decided to give it up. But, as Roger found out when he finally managed to chat with her, she is still a very busy lady in the local community. Hear what she is up to now in this latest episode of our podcast.

As scary and unprecedent events erupt in Iran, and across the Middle East, we hear in this episode from an Iranian student, based in North Cyprus with his family, about how they are struggling and his hopes for the future of his country. WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions.

This episode is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Talking Round North Cyprus podcast. It's our 124th episode and in that time we've chatted with some great people - all of whom have a link to the TRNC. Roger and Sara pick out just a couple of their personal highlights but there are so many. Thank you so much to all of you who have been on or who regularly listen and support us. Hopefull...

Barry Miller retired to the TRNC ten years ago and is a big supporter of local football team Iskele. He travelled all the way to Lapta to watch them play only for it to be rained off. But, every cloud has a silver lining, and he spent time with co-host of this podcast Roger Bara who chatted to him about his love of the local game.

Podcast host Sara gives you a tour of The Gillham Vineyard hotel - an exclusive boutique hotel and winery nestled in the hills above Girne (Kyrenia) in North Cyprus. Hear from the manager, about the unusual wine spa and the excellent wine tasting on offer. https://gillhamvineyard.com/

Hosts Roger and Sara are together in North Cyprus bringing you this episode. They chat about Christmas and New Year in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus - what they've been up to as expats - Roger is living the good life as a retiree near Kyrenia and Sara has an holiday apartment in Iskele.

Teresa Cefa is a busy lady. She has been running a wedding planning business in the TRNC for a few years but is now also an event coordinator for Heartbeat - that raises thousands of TL to help those with cancer. Roger caught up with her in a bar.... of course he did!

How tough is it to run a popular restaurant business in the TRNC with the cost of living rising all the time? Roger went along to chat with Emma Elmaz, who runs the Wild Duck near Lapta with her husband, to find out.

Roger and Sara catch up after Roger’s trip to the UK. Did he have to run through Istanbul airport again?! And how much did Kurt Duffield raise for the local cancer charity? Listen to find out!