 
MR GIORGHIOS LOIZOU
Date of birth: 1 December 1929
Place of birth: Koma tou Yialou, Famagusta
Year of arrival in the UK: 1950
I was born in Koma tou Yialou, a village from where many emigrated to other lands, but especially to the UK. I took a ship in January 1950 bound for Italy and then onto England, where I was met by Michalis Hannides, who brought me to Southampton - ‘my new home’. I had no difficulty in adjusting to restaurant life here because I was working as an army cook in Cyprus. Six years on and with a partner, I opened a restaurant. Later I had one of my own.
I married a girl from my village. We have three children. My daughter married a young man from Sweden. They have a house there. One of my sons has a garage and the other works with computers. Although my children speak Greek, they feel English. I also have two brothers and a sister. The eldest is married to Michalis’ sister. That is the reason why I asked him to send me an invitation. Such an ‘invitation’ guaranteed the recipient work and lodgings. It was a legal requirement.
When I arrived in England, I was surprised by the high number of poor people that could be seen. In Southampton we have a church and a school. We often visit Cyprus. I also went to my village but was saddened because it appears that everything has been destroyed.
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