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My information tells me that the first Akanthiotes came over to the U.K in the early to late 30’s.
I would appreciate any information about early arrival of Akanthiotes in the U.K.
My aim is to built a Database about all Akanthiotes who lived in the U.K(either living or deceased) and about the ones who still live here. For this purpose I have designed survey-forms that you can complete and send them of to me.
Akanthiotes like all other Cypriots, came over to the U.K to work for a little while, save some money and then return back home. They all had different reasons for doing so. Some just got married and because times were hard in Cyprus, they will both come over or the husband would come to the U.K
work save some money and return back to Cyprus. Others would come over to work and send some money back home for their loved ones, to their parents to buy the “ brikia” for the sister, what ever the reason, some will come to the U.K and never get the chance to go back home.
During the wartime years the U.K was going through some hard time as well. The few Akanthiotes that were already living in London were all living close to each other and looked out for each other, so they weren’t altogether lonely. Letters took over a week to arrive and there was no way they could pick up the phone and chat to their loved ones in Akanthou, nor could they jump on the plane like nowdays and go there. It took over a week to get to Cyprus, by train and boat.
They earned very little money working in restaurants, cafes, factories and most of the women worked in clothing outlets.
Most of the Akanthiotes like many other Cypriots lived in the West End of London. The was quite a community there, even in those days. They did have some sort of a social life too. The men had “ Nicoletto’s “, the old coffee shop in Goodge Street ( Glory ) and also the “Tria” round the corner. They all used to meet in those places and if anyone did not show up for a day or two they would go looking for him, that’s how much they cared. There was also the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood (the Adelphodita). It is not clear if the “Adelphodita” was there before the war( this is where your information will be useful), but it was certainly very popular after the war. Children were taken there a couple of times a week to learn to read and write Greek and after they would have a drink and a “ kourapie “ (made by Mr. Pittas) in the coffee shop there. The “Adelphodita” was in Greek Street, in Soho, London.
If you have any more information please e-mail me with your updates & information.
Another topic we can cover is: What was life like for the kids growing up in a strange land and how was it for the first English born Anglo-Akanthiotes kids. These kids were brought up the strict and traditional way by loving parents from Akanthou.
You could be one of these kids, or you could be one of these parents.
Why don’t you send me your stories. You can either e-mail me or send them by post to :
Pantelis Pantelides
Anglo-Akanthou Aid Society, 628 Holloway Road, N.19, London
I wish to thank Joanna. Joanna has given me most of the above information and the photograph.
At Anglo-Akanthou Aid Society we are thinking of publishing a quarterly angloakanthou newspaper with all the community’s news, forthcoming events and community announcements. For us to do so we need your addresses so please complete our survey-forms and send them back to us. Please note that the forms are in two parts. Part 1 is about yourself and Part 2 is about your spouse. Click here to go to FORM
The above photo was taken on the Acropolis in Athens. It was 1937 and these Akanthiotes were on their way to the United Kingdom with the hope of finding a better life than the one they left behind.
The British when thwy saw these people must’ve thought that these men looked like the “Mafia ! ”
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