| William,
who was born in Jamaica in St Catherine, and Naomi, from the parish
of Manchester, were married in Jamaica in 1954. A year later William
left his farm work and his livestock for a life in England. His younger
brother who had emigrated earlier encouraged him to join him in Gloucester
where they could share a house.
William
sent for Naomi
Naomi,
a post messenger, agreed to stay in Jamaica until her husband established
himself in England. After five years working in a foundry, William
sent for Naomi to join him.
I
remember my first meal in England. My husband prepared fresh
mackerel for me and I had a drink of stout to finish it off.
I arrived in the summer of 1960 and he came to collect me. We
took the train to Gloucester and I commented:'What a lot of
factories'. He just smiled and told me that they were houses.
 |
| Naomi
Patterson |
"I
remember my first meal in England," recalls Naomi. "My
husband prepared fresh mackerel for me and I had a drink of stout
to finish it off. I arrived in the summer of 1960 and he came to
collect me. We took the train to Gloucester and I commented: 'What
a lot of factories'. He just smiled and told me that they were houses."
Now
William has retired from British Rail and Naomi from Gloucestershire
Royal Hospital but both are very active.
Naomi
is involved in many community projects and also acts as a volunteer
worker for the Black Elders Luncheon Club, while William finds enjoyment
working his allotment. Both spend as much time as possible with
their children and grand-children.
Naomi
smiles and recalls: "When I arrived more than 40 years ago,
I simply didn't realise that I was so far from home. I had taken
the plane and it took only one day to get here. However it took
two to three years to accept how far from home I was. Still I have
no regrets. God has been good to us."
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