London Greek Radio

London Greek Radio (LGR) celebrates 29 years as a licensed radio station this month, just weeks after its 35th unofficial anniversary.

On 8th October 1983, LGR began transmitting to the Greek and Cypriot community, as a pirate radio station and officially joined the FM airwaves on 13th November 1989.

In the mid-1980s, tens of thousands of people signed a petition demonstrating the need for LGR to have a real presence within the community.  The signatures were handed to the relevant authorities which subsequently contributed to the station being licensed by the radio authorities.

The book, ‘London’s Pirate Pioneers’ by Stephen Hebditch tells the story of the capital’s pirate radio stations and the people who helped change the British broadcasting system.

He writes about LGR’s undeniable legacy in the eighties and the intense pressures it faced to shut the station down.  However, London Greek Radio became Britain’s first-ever licensed ethnic radio station upon being awarded its license.

Over the years, London Greek Radio has become steadfast to a wide range of listeners; from maturing-settlers-to-the-UK to the coming-of-age of British Greeks and Cypriots – connecting listeners to their roots through a carefully balanced programming of music, speech, entertainment and news.

Today, in addition to serving communities on 103.3FM, LGR has been taken into 21st-century broadcasting by joining the Digital Radio platform.

LGR can now be heard in four major cities on DAB+ (digital radio), namely London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, crossing into Scotland.

Furthermore, listeners extend worldwide at www.lgr.co.uk and the station has a free app for mobile devices which listeners can download from the App or Play stores embracing the ‘on-the-move’ audience.

LGR’s newly appointed Managing Director, Tony Psillou, said, “More listeners are discovering the ever-growing London Greek Radio family every day, not only Greek-speaking listeners but English, Jewish, Albanian, Arab, Bulgarian, Turkish, Russian and many more that frequently tune in.

He added, “LGR is undergoing a revamp with fresh ideas to attract an even wider audience.  Exciting times ahead ‘onwards and upwards’.”

LGR’s Chairman John Kyriakides, added, “With LGR’s edgier playlists of the biggest Greek and Cypriot tunes, Modern Laika, Greek Pop, Entehna, Golden-Oldies, Alternative, Folk and Current Chart Hits, we continue to serve the listener.

“It’s this enigmatic reason that the station remains the preferred choice in most Greek and Cypriot homes, offices, shops, factories, workplaces, vehicles and venues.”

On FM, Online, on your Mobile and On Digital Radio, This is LGR (London Greek Radio) ‘THE HEARTBEAT OF THE GREEK COMMUNITY‘.

Happy Birthday LGR!

THE RESULTS ARE IN! THE UK CYPRIOT COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN ON CYPRIOT CITIZENSHIP AND BREXIT

The opinion poll indicates clear interest from UK Cypriots to obtain Cypriot citizenship – 81% saying they were “highly likely to apply for Cypriot citizenship”.

UK Cypriots overwhelmingly support the UK remaining in the European Union (83%) and think there should be a referendum on the final deal with the EU (83%).

Federation President, Christos Karaolis, said “This is the first national, representative opinion poll of the UK Cypriot community on these crucial issues. We’ve heard our community’s voice loud and clear and this will guide our advocacy on Brexit and Cypriot citizenship.

The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK has conducted a national, representative, opinion poll on two timely and important issues for the UK Cypriot community. These issues regularly feature in conversations amongst our community and people often express strong opinions on both topics. The conclusions of the ‘Cypriot citizenship & Brexit opinion poll’ can be read below, including a summary of the verbatim feedback.

Commenting on the results, Federation President Christos Karaolis thanked those who had participated and said that, “UK Cypriots have had their say on two very important issues to our community. We’ll use the community’s voice to advocate to the Cypriot Government on the issue of Cypriot citizenship and build on the conversations we regularly have with them on this topic. The Brexit opinion poll results, overwhelmingly in favour of remain and a referendum on the final deal between the UK and the EU, enable us to make accurate and factually based representations to the UK Government and Opposition on behalf of the UK Cypriot community.

Cypriot Citizenship

In all of 2015, the year before Britain voted to leave the European Union, there were only 30 applications for Cypriot citizenship at the Cyprus High Commission in the UK. After the EU referendum, the number of applications has increased by 670% to ~200 in the UK Consulate between January and July 2018. The opinion poll highlights that there are many more UK Cypriots that are interested in obtaining Cypriot citizenship – 81% responded that they were “highly likely to apply for Cypriot citizenship”. It also indicates concerns about a lack of information in the community about the process of obtaining Cypriot citizenship with two-thirds unclear about the eligibility criteria and 80% unsure about the process and documentation required. Despite the significant efforts and measures taken by the Cyprus High Commission to address the application process at the Consulate, the Interior Ministry of Cyprus could do more to streamline and expedite the criteria and process.

The verbatim feedback, whilst highlighting the significant interest in applying, also revealed key themes that needed to be addressed about the “difficulty” and “confusion” surrounding the application process.

Brexit

The results of the Brexit opinion poll show that an overwhelming majority of the community (83%) is in favour of remaining in the EU. In addition, 12% of the community is in favour of the UK leaving the EU and 5% do not care. The community is just as decisive on whether there should be a referendum on the UK’s final deal with the EU – 83% of respondents said that there should be a referendum on the final deal whereas only 14% believed that there should not be.

The key reasons our community gave for supporting remain are focused on the economy, free movement, fear of racism and the benefits of European collaboration. For Brexit supporters, the key reasons focused on concerns around immigration, democratic deficit and the handling of financial crises in the EU in recent years.

Bank of Cyprus announced on Friday 23/11 it had completed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary bank in the UK, Bank of Cyprus UK Limited and its subsidiary Bank of Cyprus Financial Services Limited, to Cynergy Capital Limited following the receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals from the Prudential Regulation Authority and the European Central Bank.

The decision to sell the UK Group was in line with the Group’s strategy of delivering value for shareholders and focusing principally on supporting the growing Cypriot economy, the bank said.

The sale consideration amounted to £107 m (€120m) comprising £103m base consideration plus a purchase price adjustment of £4m.

Half of the base consideration together with the purchase price adjustment was received upon completion and the remaining half is deferred over 24 months, without any performance conditions attached, the bank said

In addition, the Group and BoC UK have signed a cooperation agreement, under which both organisations will cooperate in a number of key areas going forward, including continuity of servicing for existing customers.

The Management and Staff of London Greek Radio would like to invite you to their pre-Christmas Dinner & Dance, 2018. The festive season kicks-off with live music and food on Sunday 25 November at 6 pm. We are also excited to announce entertainment for this evening includes the renowned Cypriot singer Konstantina, for a 1-night exclusive performance. Not to mention live music by Elizabeth Chapman, George Gregoriou on bouzouki, Nikos Savvides on guitar and Giannakis on the keyboard.

LGR Dinner & Dance 2018…

Events like this offer the chance for our station to come together with the community and enjoy a fabulous evening. Moreover, through these events, we are able to renew and build a good relationship with both our listeners and the companies which work alongside us.

In 2018, our time has also been spent putting together events, such as this one, where all members of our community could come and celebrate our culture together.

Join us at The Penridge Suite, 470 Bowes Road, Arnos Grove, London N11 1NL. Doors open at 6pm, dinner will be served at 6:45pm.

Tickets are £35 & £40. For more information and Tickets please call London Greek Radio on 0208 349 6950!

We look forward to seeing you all there.

This event is sponsored by:

A.C.B.O Accountants in North London Business Park;
Barry Pylio – of Food Lovers Cooking Show;
Property Centre – Property, investment & management in Southgate & Bayswater;
Raphaels Bakery & Patisserie in Cockfosters;
S. Aspris & Son, wine, beer & spirit merchant;
SIX PAYMENT SERVICES a member of G.A.P. Vasilopoulos Group, the new safe payment solution;
The Highland Angus Steak House in Southgate;

Experienced London estate agent, Karl Knipe, with over 30 years’ experience in the industry, is hosting the LGR’s series, “The Property Show.” Karl, partner of Kings Group (15 branches across North London, East London, Hertfordshire, and Essex), discuss a variety of issues each month, ranging from house prices and Brexit, to stamp duty, and the buy-to-let market, as well as, wealth management. Karl is joined by experts of various sectors in the industry.

Our specialist guests in the seventh one-hour episode;

Stuart Mackay – Kings Group

Stuart has been with the Kings Group since 2007. During these 11 years, he worked predominantly in the Edmonton area and has become as synonymous with Edmonton as, The Green itself….! In 2018 Stuart was nominated for an individual award for Customer Service at the prestigious ESTAS (Estate Agent of the Year Awards)!

Philip Waterfield – Strettons Chartered Surveyors

Philip is a Director of Strettons, a well-established north-east London based firm of Chartered Surveyors and Auctioneers. He has been with the firm for over 30 years, he first debuted on the auction rostrum in 1994. Philip has been running the auction team for the past 10 years, and overseas the sale of about £80 million property a year, comprising a wide range of land and buildings in London and around the UK, and sometimes further afield, including Cyprus where Strettons have held several auctions.

Stuart Collar-Brown – Pattinson Auctions

Stuart is a Business Development Manager at Pattinsons, the UK’s fastest growing online auctioneer. He has been with the firm since June 2018, he works in property auctions for the past 11 years in London, the South East, and Bath. Stuart has been involved in the sale of over 3,000 auction lots, across the length and breadth of the UK, including public toilets and a country mansion – and everything in between!

Paul Cacciatore – Conveyancing Consultant at Boulter & Company Solicitors

                                                        Wednesday 7^th November 2018 at 7:00 pm  

                                                                        DON’T MISS IT! CALL IN

Konstantina

London Greek Radio are excited to announce that Greek singer Konstantina will be performing live at the Penridge Suite on 25th November 2018.
♫♬

Join us for our dinner & dance featuring a live performance by Konstantina & her musicians. Including George Gregoriou on bouzouki, Nikos Savvides on guitar & Giannakis on Keyboard.

♫♬

It’s a night not to be missed!

Tickets are £35 & £40. For more information call London Greek Radio on 020 8349 6950!

Address: 470 Bowes Road, London, N11 1NL. Door open at 6pm, dinner will be served at 6.45pm.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

♫♬

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of London Greek Radio’s co-founder Akis Eracleous on Thursday 18th October 2018, at the age of 66.

Akis Eracleous was from Famagusta, born on the 26th of December 1952 and came to the UK at an early age, where he attended Islington Green School in London.

In 1983, Akis felt there was a need for a Greek radio station to give a voice to our community. No one could have imagined the success of London Greek Radio (LGR) as a pirate/unlicensed station. Thanks to his devotion, determination and continuous battles to keep the station on air, LGR became the WORLD’S first Greek Radio Station to obtain an FM licence in 1989. This was achieved after Akis sold KISS FM, as he believed that providing the community with a platform was integral.

Akis was one of the iconic presenters during the 1980’s and quickly found fame within the Greek and Cypriot communities. He continued his work when LGR was licensed in 1989, serving as a Director, Managing Director, Station Manager, Shareholder, but most notably, hosting the long-running mid-morning show, “Ligo Prin To Mesimeri” on weekdays. Akis championed the modernisation of the station to bring it into the 21st century. He was a mentor to the upcoming younger generation of presenters and helped them to establish themselves as household names within the Greek and Cypriot Communities.

Akis, also known as ‘George Power’, found fame on the British soul scene in the 1970s and 80s as a resident DJ at Crackers Nightclub on Wardour Street and The Electric Ballroom on Camden High Street. George was an essential and influential DJ on the London Club Scene. Making a name for himself at the legendary Crackers on Friday afternoons and Sunday nights, George had a massive following from the regular “soul-boys” to the trendy celebrities – even Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) was spotted in the club. His Roller Disco’s at the Electric Ballroom on Wednesday nights with Paul “Trouble” Anderson and his Double Disco on Friday nights with Gilles Peterson were a huge success in the mid-eighties. It cannot be understated how important George was to London’s clubs in the 70s and 80s. In 1993, he founded the “Nice ‘N’ Ripe” record label, which is renowned as one of the leaders in the birth and growth of the scene called “UK Garage”.

In 2012, whilst leading LGR, Akis re-branded his 1970s ‘Soul Crackers’ and created Crackers Radio, online and on DAB, which he continued to manage until his sudden, unexpected death.

He was the original founder of the famous Kiss FM and presented shows on many radio stations, including Invicta Radio and City Sound Radio. During the occasions when LGR was taken off the air, he launched Sunshine Radio, an English-language service on the Cote D’Azur in the South of France. He was truly a pioneer of British radio. The legacy left by Akis Eracleous will live on.

Akis was a loyal loving family man, lifelong Arsenal fan and passionate season-ticket holder. His unique sense of humour and vibrant laugh will be remembered by us all forever.

The management and staff at London Greek Radio are all deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Akis’ passing and sincerely express their deepest and sincere condolences to his wife Julietta, his sons Emilio and Marko, his daughter Eva, his sister Androulla, his nephews Marios and Venizelos and his family and friends.

Details of the funeral will be announced soon.

May he rest in peace.

The Ministry of Transport in Cyprus has issued an announcement giving instructions to passengers affected by the cease of operations of Cobalt air Ltd.

According to the announcement, passengers that were due to fly on the 17th or 18th October 2018 on the cancelled Cobalt air flights, are kindly requested to secure a single one-way Economy Class ticket for their repatriation. Passengers will have to present the evidence of their booking (boarding pass, receipt) to the Accounts Department of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.

For more information in regards to how and when the claim will be made, a subsequent press release will follow.  Alternatively, passengers that were due to fly on the cancelled flights of the 17th and 18th but have not yet issued any tickets may call at any of the telephone numbers below to assist them in issuing a one-way ticket for their repatriation.

All other passengers, Cypriots and non-Cypriots, who were due to travel up to and including 24th October 2018, and wish to return to their place of residence, are kindly requested to call the numbers below to secure a single one-way ticket in economy class for their repatriation.  The cost of their repatriation will be covered by the Republic of Cyprus:

Top Kinisis: 00357- 22869999

Orthodoxou Travel: 00357- 24841100

Passengers who purchased tickets by Debit or Credit Cards can contact their Banks for information regarding possible reimbursement.

The Ministry of Transport would like to clarify that the above arrangements do not constitute legal obligations of the Republic of Cyprus, but they are undertaken in an effort to facilitate the stranded passengers.

Additionally, the Ministry would like to stress out the fact that the above arrangements do not exempt Cobalt air Ltd from any liabilities against their customers

LGR Events Presents a tribute to legendary singer Stelios Kazantzidis for one night only, on Friday, 19th October from 7 pm, at the Cypriot Community Centre, Earlham Grove, Wood Green, London N22 5HJ.

Entertaining on the night are Savvakis Skouridis (vocals), Kitsio (bouzouki), Niko (keyboard), Mario (drums).

SOLD-OUT. Thank you for your tremendous support.

Kebabs or souvlakia and drinks on sale at low prices.

Music, dancing, in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere!

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Sponsored by Avalon, kitchens|bedrooms|bathrooms, Varosi Lettings and Estates in Tollington Park, Finsbury Park with over 450 properties in North and East London areas, and Pure Cyprus Restaurant bringing you authentic Greek cuisine in Goodwin Street, Finsbury Park

“THE PROPERTY SHOW”

 

Experienced London estate agent, Karl Knipe, with over 30 years’ experience in the industry, is hosting LGR’s series, “The Property Show”. Karl, partner of Kings Group (15 branches across North London, East London, Hertfordshire and Essex), discuss a variety of issues each month, ranging from house prices and Brexit to stamp duty, and the buy-to-let market, as well as, wealth management. Karl is joined by experts of various sectors in the industry.

Our specialist guests in the sixth one-hour episode;

John Toth; Partner in the Trusts and Estates Team at Ashfords solicitors. John advises on many aspects of private client work such as the creation of Wills, lifetime tax planning for individuals, preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney, also advises the estates of deceased persons on the best way to realise assets, negotiates with HMRC to ensure that the correct amount of Inheritance Tax is paid, drafts new Trusts and advises Trustees on complications which arise with their trusts and how to remedy them.

Simon Todd; a Chartered Tax Adviser with over 25 years in professional practice. Prior to founding, Engaging Tax, he was Head of Tax with the wealth management arm of a premier global wealth management firm. Simon has a thorough and detailed understanding of Income and Capital Gains Tax Planning and structuring for UK resident individuals, as well as those who are resident but non-domiciled. Simon’s particular expertise is managing the past, present and future tax consequences of esoteric investments such as film finance partnerships and a variety of property based structures.

Bobby Bhuiyan; Financial Adviser for Thomas Oliver LLP, part of the Openwork network. Bobby protects and enhances his clients’ wealth, helping them to find solutions to their financial needs. He specializes in 4 key areas; Tax efficient investment planning, Lending services, Protecting clients assets with Trust planning and life insurance, Connecting people who need specialist advice.

Wednesday 3^rd October 2018 at 7:00 pm

DON’T MISS IT! CALL IN