Ascension : Message: Christine Winter
Submitted by The Islander (Nathan Prince) 08.05.2008 (Article Archived on 22.05.2008)

Return To Ascension - I left Ascension as a 6 year old via the Pier Head terrified by being told to grab the robes and swing onto the boat. That was 1964.

It was a different story arriving back on 23rd April 2008 by a Tristar aeroplane - what a beautiful sight met my eyes from the air. The island seemed much greener than I remembered, 44 years ago the only green spot was Green Mountain. Water was also rationed as it hardly ever rained yet in the 10 days of our visit it rained quite a few times - although for not very long.

My father Clifford Jones was the Chief Engineer on the island from 1957 to 1964 for Cable & Wireless.  He showed a DVD of the Cine films he had shot during that period over two nights in The Saints Club in Georgetown.

The changes in 50 years: 50 years ago there was a working farm on Green Mountain that supplied milk from the cows, a piggery, chickens, (no shortage of eggs!) sheep, vegetables and salad was also grown, (I remember naughtily helping myself to carrots out of the ground). And there were no mosquitos!

What is the same:  The warmth and slow rythmn of life. The Swimming Pool in Georgetown where I learnt to swim.  The Church, the Exiles Club, the house where I lived as a child.  I would like to give special thanks to Reg and Karen (No. 57 Georgetown)) for letting me enter the house where I lived. It was just as I remembered - not the furnishings of course! but the views from the windows.  I felt very priveledged.  Thank you.

I also want to thank others who made our stay so enjoyable, Peter Corker for the eggs, Phylis Corker for the her hospitality and the wonderful home cooked meal she provided. Coral, from Solomons Shop who generously gave us some wonderful tasty fish, and Peter Fowler for taking my husband out on his Fishing Boat so he could take photographs of the island. 

Thank you all for your friendliness and generosity of spirit.

With Greetings
From Christine and George Winter,
and Cliff and Roma Jones.