Description:My name is Mavis Alexander and I come from Jamaica, from a district called Watt Town in the Parish of St. Ann. I came to England in 1961. I remember leaving Jamaica and boarding a British Airways plane on Sunday at 8pm and reaching the UK on Tuesday 27th in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. I had a connecting flight which had to stop in Bermuda. I was very sad to leave my mum, dad, sisters and brothers in Jamaica but when I look back now, I know that it was worth it. I am glad that I came to the UK and managed to get work.
I can remember my first day in England. It was nice because I came in the summer. I can also remember the first winter here and my first thoughts when I saw the snow. I wanted to play in it and I thought it was so cold. I was really glad for the fireplace in the house.
I lived In Huddersfield for 27 years and worked in the cotton mills as a weaver for J. Brokes Ltd. Afterwards, I moved to Birmingham in 1986 and have lived here now for 22 years. I keep myself active and enjoy my adult education and my holidays.
Photograph courtesy of Veena Gogna