Happy New Year from Wolodymyr

[Wolodymyr]

Hello, and a Happy New Year to all.
My name is David Wolodymyr Bilyk, 52 yrs old. Born in England of a Ukrainian father and English mother,
I found this forum while trying to learn more about my father's roots, and it seems a nice place to be so here I am.
I never learned the Ukrainian language properly, and although I can read (without understanding), write and recognise a few words, putting together a limited sentence is about all I can do. I can also sing a few Ukrainian songs, and love the folk and choral music whether or not I understand the words.
My father is 85 years old now, and we have contact with family in Kostopil near Rivne, and various family members have visited us over the years. He has visited the Ukraine twice, once with my mother before she died, and more recently on his own.
Anyway, that can be my introduction, and I will post more in the appropriate forums.

Wolodymyr

[Gotno Gizmo]

Welcome to this comparitively friendly and interesting forum site, especially if you have a link or interest in Ukraine. I have just returned from Ukraine to England. As I haven't yet requested a residency visa yet, I can only stay for up to 90 days. After leaving I can't return to Ukraine for another 90 days.
I'm surprised at the number of British subjects linked to Ukraine either through parental origin, or through being married to a Ukrainian citizen.
I hope you will enjoy participating in this forum as much as I do. Happy new Year!

[Wolodymyr]

Thank you, do I call you Gotno? I wondered about your name, then twigged, what gizmo don't you have?
I have had a couple of opportunities to visit Ukraine, but was never able to take advantage. I am happy though that I have met some of the family, and that my father has been able to go, maybe later.
Regarding the number of British people with Ukrainian origins, around 30,000 Ukrainians came to England, having been displaced from their homes in WWII, now of course, there are comparitively few of those native immigrants left, but must have given rise to plenty of British born second generation offspring.

Wolodymyr