Fidler in the Hood: A celebration of a life well lived
At least 500 people at the full-to-capacity Ronnie Baker Hall was a testament to Liz's popularity in the community - not only at the village, but Margate itself.
GREETINGS, friends. Hopefully, everything will be back to normal after the upheaval of the past couple of weeks. The memorial service for our late, beloved Liz Curran was certainly something to remember.
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At least 500 people were at the full-to-capacity Ronnie Baker Hall to say farewell to ‘Flora MacDonald’. A testament to Liz’s popularity in the community – not only at the village, but Margate itself.
Poignant farewell
The service was conducted by Pastor Denise Adam Barnard, with eulogies from friends and neighbours, including Liz’s good friend Carol Neilson. CEO Andrew Crooks paid final tribute on behalf the village.
A short history of Liz and her late husband Jim immigrating to South Africa was read out, including their stint at the popular Sunlawns Hotel in Margate, which brought back fond memories for many.
It would appear many had a tale or anecdote to tell of the ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown’ (one of Liz’s favourite movies), a soubriquet made to measure for our Liz.
Fittingly, the service was more a celebration than one of sorrow and that’s the way Liz would have wanted it. Or, as she would conspiratorially say “Rob, this is between you and me; keep it under your hat, okay?”
By the time the secret was under the proverbial hat, half the town and village already knew. That was our Liz – and we all loved her for it. You are ‘Going Home’ now, and we will miss you – you were a one-off.
Visitors arrive
Our period of mourning for Liz was somewhat curtailed with the arrival of Jenny Kilshaw and Georg Muller from Howick – three days too early.
No matter, there’s always a warm welcome and a bottle of wine in store for everyone. Georg last visited us some two years back and featured in the Bonus in August 2016.
The couple met at the old Transvaal Yachting Club, Hartbeestepoort Dam. As commodores of the club, it was inevitable that they spliced the knot.
He is originally from Hamburg, Germany, and ‘reet Yorkshire lass’ Jenny arrived in 1965, but with a posh accent.
She completed her training at world-famous Guy’s Hospital, London, following a family tradition in the nursing profession, dating back to the Great War (1914-18).
Defying the odds, young Jenny Lorrimar decided to give it a go in the old Rhodesia, and took up a post as senior nurse at, wait for it, Enkeldoorn, of all places.
Not the bright lights of the old Salisbury or Bulawayo, but some blink-your-eye-and-you’ll-miss-it dorp in the middle of nowhere. From London to Enkeldoorn; something of a culture shock.
The cry went out: “Enkeldoorn? You won’t hear a word of English there; are you mad?”
Maybe a touch of madness helped, as Jenny remained in the Rhodesian Midlands for seven years, overall enjoying every moment.
It must have, because she eventually married section officer David Kilshaw, member-in-charge, BSAP Featherstone. They raised two children, Christopher and Frances.
Tickey draai
Her first day in Enkeldoorn kicked off with an Afrikaans-community local wedding and Jenny becoming something of a flower girl. The wedding party celebration in the evening was more of a ‘tickey draai’ barn dance, a far cry from Hammersmith Palais, London. Only in Africa!
Eventually she made her way south, first to Durban, as a theatre nurse at Addington Hospital. Opportunity knocked in those good old days and she was offered a senior marketing position with an international pharmaceutical company in Johannesburg.
She climbed the corporate ladder and became marketing director. Not bad for a girl from Hornsea, East Yorkshire. She has had several opportunities to return home to ‘Blighty’, but still remains here in this crazy, mad-cap country.
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She and Georg are well and truly established in Midlands Meander territory, based in Howick. However, they both admit they miss the ocean and have developed a soft spot for the Hibiscus Coast.
Yorkshire pud
Jenny’s children, now grown-up and married with children, are successful in their own right.
‘Topper’ (Chris) is a visual effects graphic artist in the film industry and was part of the production team for the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series of movies.
Frances and granddaughter Imogen are following in the family tradition as professional nurses.
Jenny, by the way, is a photographer par excellence and has won many awards for her work, particularly wildlife photography – worthy of an exhibition. Plus, her legendary Yorkshire puddings are world-class.
Till next time, see you. Rob.
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