News of Tristan da Cunha Islanders Abroad

Joyce's Birthday Party in Dorset

Tristan islanders Joyce and Donald Hagan have been spending the northern summer in England with relatives, especially their daughters Marion and Rosemary who live on Portland and Southampton respectively. They were special island guests at the Tristan Association Annual Gathering held in Southampton in April.

It is the first return visit to the UK since Donald and Joyce left England after their volcanic exile in 1961-3.

On Saturday 11th August Joyce celebrated her birthday and whilst having lunch in Weymouth met her pen pal of 29 years Thelma Hayter for the first time.

Thelma emigrated to the UK from South Africa in 1938 and has returned on numerous occasions. When Joyce took daughter Debbie to Cape Town for medical treatment in 1978 she was asked by the late Eddie Viljoen (former factory manager on Tristan) if she would like a pen pal in England, explaining that an old friend of his was looking for someone on Tristan to write to. Joyce agreed and they have corresponded with each other ever since. Thelma was invited to Marion's house on Portland after lunch for drinks and a slice of birthday cake.

Photographs and story from Brian Rogers, who with his wife Jessica were part of Joyce's birthday gathering :

Top : Joyce and Thelma above Weymouth beach
Middle : Donald and Joyce Hagan at Marion's house with the cake
Bottom : Thelma toasts the friend of 29 years she has met for the first time

Happy Birthday Joyce!

	Joyce's Birthday Party in Dorset Tristan islanders Joyce and Donald Hagan have been spending the northern summer in England with relatives, especially their daughters Marion and Rosemary who live on Portland and Southampton respectively. They were special island guests at the Tristan Association Annual Gathering held in Southampton in April. It is the first return visit to the UK since Donald and Joyce left England after their volcanic exile in 1961-3. On Saturday 11th August Joyce celebrated her birthday and whilst having lunch in Weymouth met her pen pal of 29 years Thelma Hayter for the first time. Thelma emigrated to the UK from South Africa in 1938 and has returned on numerous occasions. When Joyce took daughter Debbie to Cape Town for medical treatment in 1978 she was asked by the late Eddie Viljoen (former factory manager on Tristan) if she would like a pen pal in England, explaining that an old friend of his was looking for someone on Tristan to write to. Joyce agreed and they have corresponded with each other ever since. Thelma was invited to Marion's house on Portland after lunch for drinks and a slice of birthday cake. Photographs and story from Brian Rogers, who with his wife Jessica were part of Joyce's birthday gathering : Top : Joyce and Thelma above Weymouth beach Middle : Donald and Joyce Hagan at Marion's house with the cake Bottom : Thelma toasts the friend of 29 years she has met for the first time Happy Birthday Joyce!