Honeymoon at Queen's Cottage in Silver Sands Jamaica in 1955

Prem,

I've been keeping up with the info you've sent Paul Rivers and can give you a little background on the honeymoon which my wife, Pamela, and I spent at the Queens Cottage in 1955.

At that time the development of Silver Sands was only just beginning and I doubt there were more than maybe 12 cottages there built round a small central facility.

Our present Queen Elizabeth had, as you know, made a brief stopover when she was on a visit to Jamaica------she officially 'opened' The Queens Highway between Rio Bueno and Discovery Bay (Dry Harbour on older maps!). It replaced a really horrendous road which ran inland between those two towns, unmetalled and potholed beyond your imagination.

The development was in 1955 run by a couple called Huggins. From Trinidad I believe.

Pam and I were married in Montego Bay from where we drove over to Silver Sands in a tiny British car from a convivial Wedding Reception which (my wife reminds me whenever the subject comes up) I was reluctant to leave.

You asked what people spent their time doing then, before TV, etc. Well, fortunately I have a good memory (I need it at my age) and I can say that 'etc' would be what we did mostly. Being on honeymoon I doubt we would have seen much television--even if there was such a thing available then!

My black and white shot attached indicates that the Queens Cottage has been extensively done over and probably enlarged. Pam and I will look forward to checking it out again. The Hollywood Starlet perched on the balcony in glamorous swimsuit is indeed that lady I took to Silver Sands in April 1955!

I do believe there were other guests but I have no recollection of meeting them-----I'm afraid we were too much wrapped up in the beautiful time we ourselves were having!!

To while away what idle moments there were I recall that I took to read a Penguin paperback of Charles Dickens novel 'Great Expectations'!

Now, in 2000, we are keenly anticipating revisiting Silver Sands in company of at least a goodly portion of our offspring, their mates and their own children!

BFN,
Peter Rimmer, England.
3 July 2000.

Explore Queen's Cottage today.