The St Cyprian's flame still burns brightly after 60 years

PHOEBE WHITEHOUSE (Sales, 1946) of Surrey writes: “In July I had the great pleasure of spending the day with my bridesmaid, Nesmay Laing (Martin, 1947). She had been treated to the trip of a lifetime for her 80th birthday by her eldest son David who was officiating for the South African sailing team and taking part in the International Mirror Worlds events with his 12 year old son Rory in Pwlheli in Wales. Nesmay’s birthday was spent in Stornaway in the Hebrides where David and his wife Mandy arranged a trip to the bird sanctuary on the Isle of St Kilda. My daughter, Moraig Cranswick, Nesmay’s goddaughter drove me to the Pwlheli Sailing Club where we sat in the club lounge talking non-stop from 10 am to 4 pm. We found Nes an inspiration. In spite of the loss of her farmer husband in 1987, the loss of her farm and all the horror of Zimbabwe, she hones her many talents being an accomplished artist and chorister and a good cook to contribute to her community. With her daughter Marynell she runs a delicatessen bakery producing samosas keeping Harare fed! I last saw Nesmay in 1949 when she was personal secretary to Lord Longford in London. Our time at the sailing club was like yesterday. What a girl and a St Cyprian’s Old Girl at that! “

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