An Island Wedding

Steph and I met Mike and Derrian last year on the RMS when we sailed back to the UK. They had been working on the island for a couple of years and had decided to get married on the island on their return.  I met Mike again soon after I returned to the island in February and we have become good friends and together with Neil who was Best Man for the Stag Night and who was to give Derrian away we have enjoyed several walking and sailing trips together and of course the odd beer.

The build up to the wedding began two weeks ago when Derrian was due to arrive back on St Helena. Neil, Mike, I and Anne sailed out in her boat to meet the RMS carrying a large banner welcoming Derrian back to the island.

Last weekend was the stag night when a large group of Mike’s friends, islanders and ex-pats joined in a pub crawl taking in nearly all of the island pubs.

Sadly I was on-call for Maternity that night and had to follow with a personal supply of non-alcoholic beer. Fortunately the only lady due to deliver in the next 6 weeks had delivered that morning so I was not tied too closely to the hospital.

The evening included the usual rituals of drinking games, rugby songs etc. and ended with a BBQ and a bun fight in the rain.  Wisely Neil had arranged a minibus to ensure that everyone arrived home safely.











The wedding was delightful. The service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral and conducted by the Bishop of the S Atlantic. Bishop John as he is better known is a familiar face and frequently joins us on Friday nights at Donny’s Bar.

Not surprisingly none of Mike or Derrian’s family had been able to come over from the UK so Neil switched roles, having been Best Man for the Stag Night and took on the role of bride’s father. The church congregation consisted of a large gathering of friends and islanders who all knew one another well. The service although held in the cathedral and conducted by Bishop John in the full regalia of his office was a wonderfully relaxed and informal.

The reception was held at the Consulate Hotel in the centre of Jamestown

and lasted well into the evening. Once again I was on-call for Maternity fortunately it was another  quiet day but I had to be content with non-alcoholic champagne.

Sadly both Mike and Derrian have now completed their contracts on the island and will be packing their bags for a honeymoon and a return to the UK. They will both be greatly missed.

And finally  ...   we have potatoes again.  After nearly three months the RMS has arrived with 13 tons of fresh potatoes. There not in the shops yet but I've seen them on the quay so hopefully tomorrow!