Tribute to Doreen and Cecil, our next door neighbours. Doreen and Cecil were the parents of my friend Wendy who I met when we were just a couple of years old and they happened to live next door. They came from England in the mid fifties to Campbell’s Bay. They lived in a very small Bach while their house was being built with few comforts, like running water or heating. It’s hard to talk about them individually as they impacted my life together as kindly parents of my friend and welcomed me in joining in their family life at times. I soon learnt that whatever Doreen and Cecil turned their hands to they did to a high standard. They introduced me to shell collecting and we spent many happy hours combing beaches for new and rare shells. Doreen of course catalogued her collection meticulously and her attention to detail was second to none. At one stage Wendy and I became obsessed with covering objects/ jars etc with shells stuck on. I remember being so wrapt when Cecil made beautiful wooden boxes for us to cover as a present for each of our mothers. I was also fortunate to be included in several family holidays and by this time Keith was the cute younger brother. What impressed me was how practical, innovative and resourceful were Doreen and Cecil in providing everything needed for camping. Cecil had spent years remaking an old Bedford Van that was fitted out splendidly for trips away. Another memory I have is the way Doreen and Cecil worked away on their half acre garden. I remember my dad being amazed at what they did to build up the soil which was basically clay. Soon they had a soil capable of producing many different vegetables. It wasn’t long before they were experimenting and growing exotic fruits and vegetables which we had never heard of before such as tomatillos. Doreen grew the most prolific flowering Hoya plant I have ever seen. Their living room was also host to many green geckos which were caught locally in those days. I have great gratitude for the kindness that both Doreen and Cecil, and Wendy of course, showed me after my mother died when I was 11years old. They opened their home to me so that for some years I would regularly share afternoon tea with them. The ritual at 4pm of sharing a big pot of tea and biscuits all sitting around the table talking about our day’s news helped me not feel so lonely at a hard time in my life. It cannot have been easy for Doreen as a very young women to be landed in a new country, not knowing anyone, where there were so few facilities. Gradually she developed her capacities and skills and bit by bit her confidence, for example I remember it was a big day when Doreen got her drivers’ licence and she never looked back. In fact they were a couple ahead of their time, he was the one who made dinner, a rare thing for a man to do in the fifties and sixties. Cecil was also the instigator of the teamaking and he was always cheerful and upbeat. He was also one of the kindest people I met and someone who I never felt judged by, a truly lovely and highly capable man. I feel very fortunate to have had my ongoing friendship with Wendy and to have had the Edwards family as my next door neighbours for all my growing up years.

Tribute from Janiss Flannery (nee Giles) I remember your mum as a very gentle and kind family-oriented lady ....as well as gracious and resourceful. I remember your parents' winemaking and the fruit trees in your yard.

Tribute from Tony Ansell, nephew of Cecil and Doreen I was fairly young when Cecil and Doreen went to New Zealand but remember their bungalow in Northwood which the other side of the old airfield that was close to my house. My main memory was of you father’s racing yacht X24 (Windflower?) which I was lucky enough to go on a few times especially on trips up the river Medina to the Folly Inn Regatta. This was the main event for the residents of Cowes as Cowes Week was for the visiting toffs!

Tribute from Ian Jolliffe, nephew to Doreen and Cecil. Marjorie was Cecil’s sister I have a vague memory, which I now call my first memory of Doreen and Cecil and you [Wendy] emigrating 1958/59?. They visited Belle Vue road and my memory is of saying good bye in the hall there – guess it was an emotional moment for the grown ups! I do recall all the airmails Doreen wrote from both of them to Marjorie and exchanging Christmas cards ourselves with her . Then there were the photos. Looked a lovely life growing food and fishing.. They made Marjorie very welcome when she had her adventurous trip to NZ and I have the album of photos from that. Sadly I think this news marks the end of that generation.