Oct 2021
Barbadian Gerline followed friends to the UK in 1950 for a new life overseas
Black History Month at OSJCT
Ninety-five-year-old Gerline, who lives at Isis House in Iffley near Oxford, has clear memories of coming to the UK in 1950. The Barbadian has never forgotten her roots despite living in predominantly white British communities.
Gerline was following the advice of friends and the support of her mother when she embarked on a six-week boat crossing on the ‘Monserrat’ in her mid-twenties, to try out a new life overseas. She landed in Southport and took up various jobs as a cleaner, a nanny and a glass cleaner in her first few years living in Lancashire. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Gerline didn’t move to London, but stayed in the north, which had very few black people.
Although Gerline came from a large family, and has six siblings, she never married and was the only member of her immediate family to come across to the UK. Gerline remembers her heritage and culture by enjoying traditional Barbadian foods, root vegetables like okra with steamed or fried fish.
Another link to home for Gerline is the Pentecostal custom of worship which she took part in growing up in Barbados. She remembers singing and dancing at church when growing up. However, Gerline’s mum prepared her for the UK by arranging for her to be confirmed in the Anglican church, which meant that she could practice her Christian faith when she came to the UK.
Emily Fenn, Activities Coordinator at Isis House said: “Gerline is a wonderful resident, she is very happy to reminisce and tell stories about her homeland, and her experiences as a young person settling in the UK at the time of the Windrush movement from the Islands. We often arrange some singing and dancing in the home, and Gerline is one of our most enthusiastic residents to take part.”