despina and Meryem

Despina and Meryem are next door neighbours in Camberwell, South London. Despina is originally from Cyprus and before she retired, worked in a clothing factory in Aldgate. Meryem is also from Cyprus. Her family run the M&M fish and chip shop in Camberwell. Despite being both from the same country, these women have very different backgrounds. Despina is a Greek Cypriot whereas Meryem is a Turkish Cypriot. In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus after a coup and there was much bloodshed. Many people on both sides of the conflict were displaced and since then, there has been a great deal of animosity between the two sides.

The country is still divided with the Turkish side in the North and the Greek side in the south. Despite this, back in Camberwell, these two neighbours are best of friends. Despina was there helping out at the birth of Meryem’s kids and they are both always in and out of each other's houses. Despina was having her kitchen refurbished when I took this shot and was just popping next door to Meryem's to fill up her kettle as her water had been turned off. Both women love living in Camberwell, they told me that there have been a lot of changes in the area but in their street, there is a great sense of community and that many of the neighbours are friends. There may be an ongoing dispute back in Cyprus, but here in Camberwell, it’s all peace and love. It’s not often you can say that about South London.