| William, who was born in Jamaica in St Catherine, and Naomi, from the parish of Manchester, were married in Jamaica in 1954. A year later William left his farm work and his livestock for a life in England. His younger brother who had emigrated earlier encouraged him to join him in Gloucester where they could share a house. William sent for Naomi Naomi, a post messenger, agreed to stay in Jamaica until her husband established himself in England. After five years working in a foundry, William sent for Naomi to join him. 
I remember my first meal in England. My husband prepared fresh mackerel for me and I had a drink of stout to finish it off. I arrived in the summer of 1960 and he came to collect me. We took the train to Gloucester and I commented:'What a lot of factories'. He just smiled and told me that they were houses. | | Naomi Patterson |
"I remember my first meal in England," recalls Naomi. "My husband prepared fresh mackerel for me and I had a drink of stout to finish it off. I arrived in the summer of 1960 and he came to collect me. We took the train to Gloucester and I commented: 'What a lot of factories'. He just smiled and told me that they were houses." Now William has retired from British Rail and Naomi from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital but both are very active. Naomi is involved in many community projects and also acts as a volunteer worker for the Black Elders Luncheon Club, while William finds enjoyment working his allotment. Both spend as much time as possible with their children and grand-children. Naomi smiles and recalls: "When I arrived more than 40 years ago, I simply didn't realise that I was so far from home. I had taken the plane and it took only one day to get here. However it took two to three years to accept how far from home I was. Still I have no regrets. God has been good to us." | 
